Cangrejeras One Win Away from LVSF Championship

After Dominant Victory in San Juan

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 27, 2026.– With their ninth consecutive set won, the Cangrejeras de Santurce moved to within one victory of lifting the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) trophy after defeating the Leonas de Ponce 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-18) in the third match of the finals series held on Monday at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

Ponce once again played without their main attacker Sherridan Atkinson and starting setter Raymariely Santos, both sidelined due to physical ailments. Atkinson has not seen action throughout the series, while Santos exited in the third set of the opening match.

Santurce’s offense was distributed among Madison Kingdon, Andrea Rangel, and Helena Grozer, who scored 16, 13, and 12 points, respectively. For Ponce, Nataly García contributed 14 points, Claire Chaussee added 9, and Stephanie “Fefa” Enright finished with 8.

Santurce dominated most statistical categories: 43-36 in attacks, 12-1 in blocks, 3-1 in service aces, 56-49 in digs, and 19-17 in assists. Leonas led in receptions, 34-30.

Holding a one-set lead, Santurce secured the second set by pulling away 23-17 following a block by Neira Ortiz on García. Set point came at 24-18 after a successful attack by Rangel from zone two, and Grozer closed it 25-19 with a hit from zone four.

The third set followed a similar script. The Cangrejeras reached the second technical timeout ahead 16-11 after an attack from Rangel and extended their lead to set point at 24-18 with a kill by Kingdon. Kingdon herself sealed the match with a service ace.

After the match, Stephanie “Fefa” Enright acknowledged that the absence of key players has affected Ponce’s rhythm, though she emphasized it cannot be used as an excuse:

“Sometimes we come in low on energy. I don’t know if it’s because we’re missing two key players, but that can’t be an excuse. Credit must go to Santurce, they have a very complete team from starters to bench,” said the veteran outside hitter.

Looking ahead to Game 4 at Pachín Vicéns, Enright was clear about the message in the locker room:

“We must come in with nothing to lose. Our best volleyball all season has come through practice, games, and sacrifice. We have to leave everything on the court.”

Meanwhile, Santurce captain Andrea Rangel highlighted team cohesion as the key to their dominance:

“I think it’s confidence and consistency. Every player has a role and a job, and each one is doing her part. When you put it all together, it helps us achieve our goal: winning every match.”

Regarding the possibility of closing out the series on Wednesday in Ponce, Rangel remained composed:

“It’s going to be a challenge because it’s a different court, we haven’t played much there. But we trust our work, which we’ve built all season to be in this moment. We’re focused on achieving our goal: the championship.”

The series resumes this Wednesday at the Juan Pachín Vicéns Auditorium for Game 4 at 8:00 p.m.

A Santurce victory would crown them as the new LVSF champions. If Ponce wins, a decisive Game 5 will be played on Friday, May 1, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.