Runner-Up Atenienses Dominate Champion Cangrejeras

MANATÍ, Puerto Rico, January 29, 2025. – In the only match on the Women's Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) schedule, the Atenienses de Manatí, last season’s runners-up, claimed victory in four sets (25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20) over the defending champions, Cangrejeras de Santurce, at the Juan Aubín Cruz Coliseum.

With the win, the Atenienses earned three points, improving their record to 4-1 and accumulating 12 points, tying for first place with the Criollas de Caguas, who also have 12 points and four wins but remain undefeated.

Santurce, which did not add any points, now holds a 1-3 record with three accumulated points, remaining in fourth place in the standings.

With the match tied at one set apiece, both teams entered the final stretch of the third set evenly matched. Manatí reached set point first at 24-23 with an ace from Juliana Askew.

After another tie, Manatí sealed the set 26-24 with two consecutive attacks, one from zone four and another through the middle.

Manatí secured the fourth set early, reaching the technical timeout with an 8-4 lead thanks to a block by Kjersti Strong on Andrea Rangel, who attacked from the back row.

For the remainder of the set, the runners-up displayed a highly organized and defensive game. They reached the second technical timeout with a 16-10 lead following a missed serve by the visitors.

The Atenienses arrived at set point with a comfortable 24-16 lead after a service error by Andrea Fuentes and sealed the victory at 25-20 following another service error by the Cangrejeras, this time from Helena Grozer.

The top scorers for the winning team were Karla Santos with 21 points, followed by Tristin Savage and Chareika Carrión with 16 points each, and Kjersti Strong with 15.

For Santurce, Andrea Rangel, Lindsay Stalzer, and Helena Grozer contributed 25, 12, and 11 points, respectively.

Manatí outperformed Santurce in attacks 63 to 45, digs 91 to 86, receptions 54 to 44, aces 5 to 3, and assists 35 to 23. Both teams finished with 11 successful blocks.

LVSF action continues Thursday, January 30, with two matches. The Changas de Naranjito will visit the Valencianas de Juncos at the Rafael G. Amalbert Coliseum in Juncos, marking the home opener for the Valencianas at 8:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the undefeated Criollas de Caguas will travel to Mario “Quijote” Morales Coliseum to face the Mets de Guaynabo (0-2, 0 points) at 8:00 p.m.