COROZAL, Puerto Rico, April 4, 2024.- A direct serve from Seliann Concepción in the fifth set gave the victory to the two-time champions Pinkin of Corozal (1-0) in the first game of the Semifinal B series of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF) against Atenienses of Manatí (0-1).
The victory was the best gift for the loyal fans of Pinkin who, for the first time in the 2024 tournament, saw their team play at the Carmen Zoraida Figueroa court in Corozal.
The champions, who qualified directly to the semifinals by finishing second in the standings, played the entire regular series on the José “Pepín” Cestero court in Bayamón, due to improvements in Corozal.
Pinkin, who had their “new” reinforcement Payton Caffrey, secured the important victory with 25-21, 15-25, 25-23, 17-25, and 16-14.
Caffrey was Pinkin’s reinforcement in the 2022 championship. The American player was the leading scorer in that year’s regular series, and the Most Valuable Player of the season. Additionally, she was a key piece in Corozal’s crown conquest against the Criollas de Caguas.
In the fifth set, Corozal and Manatí were neck to neck until the scoreboard tied at 10-10. Emma Clothier executed a successful spike and Payton Caffrey made an ace to take the lead, 12-10. Immediately, Ramón Lawrence, Manatí’s coach, called a timeout.
Corozal pulled ahead again, 14-12, but Karla Santos tied it up with two attacks. A block put Corozal ahead, 15-14, and then, Freddy Vázquez, Pinkin’s coach, brought in Seliann Concepción to serve. An ace was the final blow for the home team’s victory (16-14).
Caffrey shined in her debut with Corozal scoring 19 points, 16 in attacks, one block, two direct serves, 10 digs, and six passes; Emma Clothier contributed with 15 points, 12 in attacks, two blocks, and one ace; Isabella Bergmark with 15 points, 13 in attacks, and two blocks; and Yanliz Feliz with 14 points, 10 in attacks, two blocks, two direct serves, 12 digs, and six passes. Julianna Askew made 34 assists, eight digs, two passes, and one block point.
For Manatí, Zoe Weatherington scored 24 points, 20 in attacks, three blocks, one ace, and 11 digs; Karla Santos with 22 points, 21 in attacks, one block, 21 digs, and 19 passes; María Schleger with 19 points, 17 in attacks, two direct serves, 14 digs, and 21 passes; and Claudia Dillon with eight points.
The Semifinal B series will continue this Saturday, April 6, at 8:15 p.m. at the Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu Coliseum in Manatí.
Wednesday, April 3rd 8:15 p.m. Manatí (2-3) Corozal
Saturday, April 6th 8:15 p.m. Corozal in Manatí
Sunday, April 7th 7:00 p.m. Manatí in Corozal (Carmen Zoirada Figueroa Court)
Tuesday, April 9th 8:15 p.m. Corozal in Manatí
Thursday, April 11th 8:15 p.m. Manatí in Corozal (DSN)
Friday, April 12th 8:15 p.m. Corozal in Manatí (DSN)
Sunday, April 14th 7:00 p.m. Manatí in Corozal (DSN)
(*DSN – if necessary)
Cangrejeras One step away, from Semifinal A
Cangrejeras de Santurce (3-0) are one victory away from achieving the desired pass to the grand final of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF), by defeating the Valencianas de Juncos (0-3) in four sets in the third Semifinal A game.
The sets of the victory for Santurce ended 25-23, 25-15, 22-25, and 25-23, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey.
Santurce, who lost its first set of the series, had four players in double digits.
Turkish player Yeliz Basa was the top scorer for the Cangrejeras with 17 points, 15 in attacks, and two direct serves; Neira Ortiz contributed 13 points, eight in attacks, and five in blocks; Andrea Rangel with 11 points, 10 in attacks, one block, 17 digs, and eight passes; the Czech player Helena Havelkova with 11 points, all in attacks, 12 digs, and 14 passes; and Shirley Florián with nine points, eight in attacks, and one ace. The American setter Carli Lloyd made 15 assists, 20 digs, and seven points, four in attacks, and three blocks.
Reinforcement McKenzie Adams did not play for Santurce.
For Juncos, reinforcement Kara McGhee had a great night with 25 points, 23 in attacks, and two in blocks; Elissa Alcántara helped with 12 points, seven in attacks, four in blocks, and one ace; Keishlyann Sánchez with 10 points, nine in attacks, one block, 18 digs, and 17 passes; Amethyst with eight points; and Sh’Diamond Holly with seven points.
Semifinal A will continue this Friday, April 5th with the fourth game at 8:15 p.m. at the Rafael G. Amalbert Coliseum in Juncos.
Saturday, March 30 Juncos (0-3) Santurce
Monday, April 1 Santurce (3-0) Juncos
Wednesday, April 3 Juncos (1-3) Santurce
Friday, April 5th 8:15 p.m. Santurce in Juncos
Sunday, April 7th 8:15 p.m. Juncos in Santurce (DSN)
Tuesday, April 9th 8:15 p.m. Santurce in Juncos (DSN)
Thursday, April 11th 8:15 p.m. Juncos in Santurce (DSN)
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