Juncos Rallies in Quarterfinals; Pinkin Stumble for Third Time

JUNCOS, Puerto Rico, March 29, 2026. – The Valencianas de Juncos earned their first victory in two outings on Sunday night in the continuation of Section A of the quarterfinals in the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF), defeating the Pinkin de Corozal in five sets and handing them their third loss in as many matches.

Juncos, which recently added Puerto Rican setter Jennifer Nogueras and American Kaleigh Nelson to its roster, prevailed with scores of 25-16, 24-26, 24-26, 25-23 and 16-14. With Nogueras joining the squad, American setter Isabelle Morgan was released from the team.

After convincingly winning the first set, the Valencianas faced a tightly contested second frame.

The teams were tied from point 20 through 25, but the Pinkin closed with two consecutive points: an effective spike by Adriana Rodríguez from zone three and a kill by Daly Santana from zone four to even the match at one set apiece.

The third set mirrored the second. Corozal took a 20-16 lead with two service aces from Santana, but Juncos responded with a 4-0 run that included a quick attack by Naya Gross to tie the set.

Once again, the teams were tied from 22 through 24, and once again the Pinkin closed it out in extra points with Rodríguez scoring through the middle and a block on Leandra Mangual.

The Valencianas responded in the fourth set. The last tie came at 23 when Mangual delivered a successful attack from zone four to reach set point, and moments later Juncos forced the decisive set after Ivania Ortiz’s attack hit the antenna.

The fifth set was a thriller. Juncos reached match point at 14-12 with a back-row attack from Kelly Sánchez and a block by Marcelle Báez on Jordan Iliff. Corozal managed to tie the score to 14, but their push fell short.

The Valencianas sealed the victory with Mangual’s 25th point from zone four and a spike by Santana that landed out of bounds.

Juncos’ offense was led by Leandra Mangual with 25 points, followed by Naya Gross with 18, Haley Bush with 12, and Marcelle Báez with 11.

For Corozal, Jordan Iliff led all scorers with 26 points, followed by Ivania Ortiz with 16 and Daly Santana with 15.

Section A resumes action on Tuesday, March 31, when the group leaders, the Cangrejeras de Santurce (3-0), visit the Valencianas at the Rafael G. Amalbert Coliseum at 8:30 p.m.

A victory by Juncos would secure their direct berth to the semifinals.

Section B returns to action on Monday, March 30, at Salvador Dijols Court, when the Leonas de Ponce (1-1) host the Atenienses de Manatí (1-2).

A win by Ponce would clinch a semifinal berth and eliminate the Atenienses from the postseason.