Defense has a name: Valle de Jesús shines as top libero & Player of the Week

Caguas’ Okiana Valle de Jesús is the Women’s Superior Volleyball League’s leading libero with a total of 164 positive digs and 69 positive receptions, for a total of 233 defensive actions and an average of 11.65 in 20 sets played. (Heriberto Rosario Rosa / FPV)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FVP by its initials in Spanish) on Wednesday announced the 2026 Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) season’s first all-star team, highlighting the exceptional performance of the athletes who stood out in the opening week.

Leading the list is Okiana Valle de Jesús (Criollas of Caguas), who has been recognized as Player of the Week and also selected as the Best Libero, reaffirming her defensive impact and leadership on the court.

Valle de Jesús had two exceptional nights for the defending league champions, racking up a whopping 40 digs against the Atenienses of Manatí and 40 more against the Leonas of Ponce, for a total of 80 digs in nine sets, averaging 8.88 digs per set.

Her team finished the week in first place in the standings with a 4-1 record and 10 accumulated points, sharing the top spot with the Pinkin of Corozal, who also have 10 points, although with one less victory (3-1).

Needless to say, Valle de Jesús is the leader in the libero department with a total of 164 positive digs and 69 positive receptions, for a total of 233 defensive actions and an average of 11.65 in 20 sets played.

The All-Star team also includes:

• Best Attacker: Karla Santos (Manatí) and Lyndsay Krause (Corozal)

• Best Blocker: Alba Hernández (Caguas) and Neira Ortiz (Cangrejeras of Santurce)

• Best Setter: Gabrielle Benda (Caguas)

• Best Opposite Hitter: Alexandra Szczech (Caguas).

The leaders in each category, based on statistics maintained by the LVSF, are:

The overall points leader is Jenaisya Moore of Caguas with a total of 95 points, divided into 78 attacks, 15 blocks and 2 aces, for an average of 4.75 per set.

The leader in attacks is Lindsay Krause of Corozal with 67 successful attacks in 15 sets, for an average of 4.47.

In blocks, the leader is Ortiz of Santurce with a total of 7 successful blocks in 3 sets, for an average of 2.33; followed by Hernández of Caguas with 26 successful blocks in 19 sets, for an average of 1.37 per set.

The leader in aces is Alexa Barral of Ponce with 4 aces in 6 sets played, for an average of 0.67. She is followed by Ivania Ortiz (Corozal) with 5 aces in 11 sets for an average of 0.45.

In digs, the leader is Cristina Martínez of Santurce with 15 digs in 3 sets, for an average of 5.00; she is followed by Yaidaliz Rosado of the Valencianas of Juncos with 58 digs in 14 sets and an average of 4.14.

In the setting department, the leader by average is Wilmarie Rivera of Santurce with 21 assists in 3 sets, for an average of 7.00; she is followed by Raymariely Santos of Ponce with 62 assists in 15 sets, for an average of 4.13.