Cangrejeras win their first women’s volleyball title in a sweep

The Cangrejeras of Santurce joined the Chicas of San Juan as the two teams from the capital city to win championships in the Women’s Superior Volleyball League. (Special for FPV Ricardo Rosado)

By The Star Staff

The Santurce Cangrejeras franchise debuted last year in the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FPV), and although it reached the final, it had to settle for runner-up behind the reigning monarchs, the Pinkin of Corozal.

Santurce returned this year with a team full of local and international talent with the mission of winning the title that eluded them in 2023, and they achieved that goal on Monday night in Manatí.

The Cangrejeras (Crabbers) joined the Chicas of San Juan as the two teams from the capital city to win championships in the LVSF. The Chicas did it in the 1992 season.

Santurce swept this year’s final series four games (4-0) over the Atenienses (Athenians) of Manatí. Monday night’s victory, at Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu Coliseum in Manatí, concluded with set scores of 25-22, 22-25, 25-22 and 25-17.

McKenzie Adams from the mainland U.S. was the top scorer for the Cangrejeras with 18 points, 13 in attacks, three in blocks and two direct services, with 17 digs and seven assists; Yeliz Basa of Turkey had 17 points, 15 in attacks and two in blocks, and eight digs; Czech Helena Havelkova finished with 15 points, 12 in attacks and three in blocks, with 12 digs and 22 assists; Puerto Rican Neira Ortiz contributed eight points, five in attacks, three in blocks and one ace; and naturalized Venezuelan Shirley Florián scored eight points, all in attacks.

The Cangrejeras’ setter, Carli Lloyd, had 27 assists, 15 digs, and five points, two on attacks, two on blocks and one ace.

The libero and captain of the Cangrejeras, Debora Seilhammer, was chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 final series. She compiled 35 digs and 11 assists on Monday night.

For Manatí, Zoe Weatherington notched 18 points, 15 in attacks, two in blocks and one ace, with 15 digs; Karla Santos scored 17 points, all in attacks, with 18 digs and 22 assists; María Schlegel finished with 12 points, 11 in attacks and one block, with 20 digs and 13 assists; and Claudia Dillon had 10 points, five in attacks, three in blocks and two direct aces.

FINAL SERIES

April 14: Manatí (1-3) Santurce

April 17: Santurce (3-2) Manatí

April 20: Manatí (0-3) Santurce

April 22: Santurce (3-1) Manatí