Courtney-Thompson
Jones led the league in blocks with 80 during the regular season and finished second in the most valuable player voting with 10 votes. In the Puerto Rico Super League championship best-of-seven final round, Catano captured the title in four sets in upsetting fashion over top-seed Caguas.
Catano started the final round by defeating Caguas 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 on April 10.
“We prepared for this match and were able to stabilize our blocking throughout the match,” said Jones, who scored 13 points including seven blocks.
Forsett added 12 points in the series opener. Thompson chipped in 20 assists and 14 digs in the victory. Catano showed the opening match was not a fluke by stopping Caguas 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17 on April 12. Jones piled up 16 points in including four blocks, while Forsett downed 13 points with four blocks. Thompson provided 27 assists, 14 digs, two blocks and three points in the victory. Catano moved to within one victory of the title with a 27-25, 29-27, 13-25, 22-25, 15-10 win in the third match of the series on April 14.
Jones notched 19 points with 16 kills and three blocks, while Forsett matched her point total with 13 kills and six blocks. Thompson set 30 assists to go with 16 digs and three points.
In the fourth match on April 15, Catano started strong with a 25-20 victory, only to look shaky with 25-21 and 25-9 losses in the second and third sets. Catano rallied back to win the fourth set 25-18, then put away the match and series with a 15-12 victory in the final set.
Forsett scored a team-high 15 points, while Jones added 11 points. Thompson amassed 31 assists to go with three points.
“We started to click at the right moment,” Thompson said. “We won eight strong matches in the semifinal and final series and we have a lot of respect for a great opponent like Caguas.”
Thompson was honored as the most valuable player of the final round. By winning the Puerto Rico Super League playoff, Catano will represent NORCECA at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship to be held in October at Doha, Qatar.
