By The Star Staff
The Cangrejeras of Santurce (3-0) won the third game of the 2024 final series of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) against the Atenienses of Manatí (0-3) on Saturday night to move one win away from the San Juan franchise’s first islandwide title.
Santurce held off a late challenge by the visiting team for a straight-sets victory with scores of 25-16, 25-22 and 25-21 in the match held at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey.
With the third set tied at 21-21, Andrea Rangel attacked for the point to give Santurce a one-point lead. Czech Helena Havelkova then finished by breaking the Atenienses’ block to make the score 23-21. A shot by Manatí’s Karla Santos fell outside the lines to set up match point for the Cangrejeras, and Havelkova secured the 25th point and the victory for the capital city sextet.
For Santurce, Havelkova was the top scorer with 20 points, 17 in attacks, two in blocks, and one ace, with 13 digs and 16 assists; McKenzie Adams contributed 11 points, 10 in attacks and one block, with nine digs and 15 assists; Neira Ortiz had nine points, three in attacks and six in blocks; and Rangel finished with eight points, seven in attacks, with one block and seven digs. Setter Carli Lloyd had 27 assists, 12 digs and four points, all on attacks. The libero and captain of Santurce, Deborah Seilhammer, had 26 digs and seven assists.
For Manatí, Zoe Weatherington scored 14 points, 13 in attacks, with one block and 13 digs; Santos had eight points, seven in attacks, with one block, 13 digs and 19 assists; and María Schlegel of Spain finished with eight points, six in attacks, one with block, one ace, 12 digs and 12 assists.
The final series will continue today at 8:30 p.m. with the fourth game at Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu Coliseum in Manatí.
Before the start of Saturday’s match, a minute of silence was held for Diana Santiago-Sotomayor, the scoring director of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FPV), who died suddenly last week.
At the conclusion of the match, the final whistle was heard by main referee Arnaldo Piñero, who officiated his last game after four decades on local and international volleyball courts. “Grandpa”, as everyone affectionately knows Piñero, was congratulated by his colleagues, players, coaches and other volleyball personalities present at Clemente.
The final series is being broadcast in its entirety on WIPR Channel 6, https://wipr.pr/envivo/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wiprtv.
FINAL SERIES RESULTS/SCHEDULE:
Sunday, April 14: Manatí (1-3) Santurce
Wednesday, April 17: Santurce (3-2) Manatí
Saturday, April 20: Manatí (0-3) Santurce
Monday, April 22: Santurce at Manatí,
8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24: Manatí at Santurce,
8:30 p.m. (if necessary)
Friday, April 26: Santurce at Manatí,
8:30 p.m. (if necessary)
Sunday, April 28: Manatí at Santurce,
7:00 p.m. on a neutral court (if necessary)