Atenienses blank Criollas, keep semifinal hopes alive.

Emily Elliot (22 points) came up big down the stretch for Manatí (Heriberto Rosario/FPV)

By THE STAR STAFF

In a Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish) Section B quarterfinal match on Saturday night, the host Atenienses of Manatí halted the momentum of the Criollas of Caguas, securing their first victory in three matches and keeping their hopes of advancing to the semifinals alive.

Caguas, which was looking to punch a direct ticket to the next round, dropped to 2-1 and will have another opportunity on Wednesday, when they face the Leonas of Ponce.

The winning set scores for Manatí were 25-21, 25-12 and 27-25.

Third set: Pure drama at the finish

The third set was the most closely contested of the 

match, with both squads trading the lead point for point:

* 19-19: Shaylee Myers of the Atenienses tied the set 

with a spike from Zone 4.

* 20-19: Emily Elliot gave Manatí the lead with a spike 

from Zone 2, followed by a 21-19 score with a block 

against Ana Sofía Jusino.

* 22-19: Elliot struck again from Zone 2.

* 22-21: Caguas closed the gap with a spike by Génesis 

Collazo from Zone 4.

* 22-22: Collazo blocked Myers, who was attacking 

from Zone 4.

* 23-22: Solimar Cestero responded with an effective 

spike from Zone 3, giving the Atenienses back the lead.

* 24-22: Myers scored on the serve to give Manatí set 

point.

* 24-23: Collazo produced once again from Zone 4, 

bringing Caguas closer.

* 24-24: Jusino blocked Karla Santos to even the set. 

* 25-24: Caguas earned a set point with a block against 

Cestero.

* 25-25: Elliot tied the score once again for Manatí from 

Zone 2.

* 26-25: Collazo missed an attack from Zone 2, handing 

set point to the Atenienses.

* 27-25: Elliot sealed the set -- and the match -- with 

another spike from Zone 2.

Offensive leaders

Elliot (22 points) and Santos (10) led the way for Manatí, while Jenaisya Moore led Caguas with 13 points.

Statistical comparison

Attacks: Manatí 44, Caguas 32. Service Aces: Manatí 6, Caguas 1. Digs: Manatí 83, Caguas 70. Passes: Manatí 35, Caguas 25. Blocks: Caguas 9, Manatí 7. Assists: Caguas 16, Manatí 12.

Up next in Section B

LVSF quarterfinal play continues today, when the Leonas of Ponce (1-1) host the Atenienses (1-2) at Salvador Dijols Arena at 8 p.m.

A victory for the Leonas would eliminate the Atenienses, leaving Wednesday’s Caguas-Ponce matchup as the final remaining quarterfinal contest.

Section A outlook

Section A quarterfinal play was to continue Sunday night at Rafael G. Amalbert Arena in Juncos, where the Valencianas (0-1) were to host the Pinkin of Corozal (0-2) starting at 7.

The Cangrejeras of Santurce (3-0) currently lead the group and have already secured their spot in the semifinals.