Undefeated Cangrejeras blank Valencianas in LVSF quarterfinals.

Tamara Otene had 13 points as the Cangrejaras of Santurce notched a straight-sets victory over the Valencianas of Juncos in the LVSF quarterfinals.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Cangrejeras of Santurce defeated the Valencianas of Juncos in straight sets on Wednesday night at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey in the Section A quarterfinals of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish).

It was the first postseason match for the Valencianas (0-1). The other team in Section A, the Pinkin of Corozal, is also 0-1 after losing to Santurce (2-0).

The match scores were 25-23, 25-19 and 25-23.

The Cangrejeras came from behind in the first set, closing it out with a 9-3 run. In the second set, they reached set point at 24-19 following a block on Leandra Mangual, and secured the set with a sharp spike by Helena Grozer from Zone 4, taking a two-sets-to-none lead.

In the third set -- following the technical timeout, at which point Santurce led by a slim 16-15 margin -- the teams traded points from 16 through 22.

The Cangrejeras set up the outcome with two consecutive scoring spikes: one by Tamara Otene from Zone 4 and another by Neira Ortiz through the middle, reaching set point at 24-22. After Juncos scored another point, Otene sealed the set and the match victory, 25-23, with another scoring spike from Zone 4.

In the team statistics, Santurce held the advantage in blocks (12-6), service aces (3-1) and passes (28-26). Juncos came out ahead in digs (54-49), attacks (43-39) and assists (12-10).

Leading the Cangrejeras’ offense were Otene (13 points), Andrea Rangel (12), and Grozer (10).

Mangual and Haley Bush finished with 13 points each for Juncos. 

Section A quarterfinal play continues this Friday at 8 p.m. when the Cangrejeras visit the Pinkin at Carmen Z. Figueroa Arena.

In Section B, the Criollas of Caguas (1-0) were to host the Leonas of Ponce (1-0) at Roger Mendoza Vidal Coliseum on Thursday night.