Ponce defeats Caguas to even LVSF B semifinals.

Sherridan Atkinson, left, led the way for Ponce with 26 points, including 23 on attacks. (Heriberto Rosario Rosa / FPV)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Leonas of Ponce defeated the Criollas of Caguas in four sets on Sunday at Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce to even the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish) Semifinal Series B at a match apiece.

The set scores were 19-25, 25-15, 25-22 and 25-22.

With a 2-1 lead in sets, Ponce staked out an 8-3 lead at the first timeout in what would be the deciding fourth set on a spike by Sherridan Atkinson from Zone 2.

The Leonas’ lead held, with another spike by Atkinson from Zone 2 putting the hosts up 16-12 at the second technical timeout. The Criollas rallied to close the gap to 17-18 on a tip by Genesis Collazo from Position 4, but Ponce withstood the surge and pulled away again to 22-18 thanks to attacks by Nataly García from Zone 4 and a middle spike by Abby Akey.

Ponce reached set point at 24-20 with another scoring play by Akey through the middle, and closed out the set and the match 25-22 with a spike by Atkinson over the Caguas block.

In team statistics, the Leonas outperformed the Criollas 63-46 in attacks, 13-12 in blocks, 8-3 in aces, 70-59 in digs, 54-35 in passes, and 23-9 in assists.

Ponce’s offensive output was shared among Atkinson -- the team leader with 26 points (23 on attacks and 3 on blocks) -- followed by Claire Chaussee with 20, Akey with 12 and García with 10.

Jenaisya Moore stood out for Caguas with 18 points, and Collazo added 10.

The series continues tonight at Roger Mendoza Vidal Coliseum, when the Criollas host the Leonas starting at 8:20 p.m.

Juncos protest upheld, last 2 sets in 3rd A semifinal match must be replayed

The Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) has upheld the protest filed by the Valencianas of Juncos regarding the illegal use of a libero player by the Cangrejeras of Santurce during Friday’s third match of Semifinal Series A.

The ruling was issued by tournament director José R. Servera-Rivera following an evaluation of the documentation submitted by both franchises, as well as the corresponding referee reports.

According to the resolution, Santurce, which entered Friday’s contest leading the semifinal series 2-0, committed a violation of the regulations by redesignating a libero player without adhering to the procedures established by the 2025-2028 Official FIVB Rules. The report states that the team failed to utilize its registered second libero and did not properly notify the officiating crew of the changes made.

It was further concluded that the use of the player in question had a direct impact on the course of the match, benefiting Santurce while negatively affecting Juncos.

As a result of the decision, the LVSF ordered:

* The annulment of the fourth and fifth sets of the match, which had been won by Santurce. 

* The resumption of the aforementioned sets on a date to be mutually agreed upon by both franchises. 

* The temporary suspension of Semifinal Series A until the pending sets are completed. 

* The suspension of the match scheduled for Sunday, April 12, in Juncos.

The league also stipulated that, should it become necessary, the remaining sets could be played in a “back-to-back” format to avoid disrupting the overall schedule.

Once the annulled sets have been completed, the best-of-seven series will continue in Juncos in accordance with the revised schedule.