Brazil has summed the first 7 players for its women’s senior National Team, with more expected to come this week after the completion of the Club World Championships.
The latest addition to the squad is Natalia Pereira, a 1.83m (6’0″) opposite who plays for Fenerbahce – Turkey’s 3rd-best team.
That brings the total number of players called to the squad 7, as she joins the previously, named:
- Libero Leia Silva, Minas Tenis
- Setter Naiane De Almeida Rios, Minas Tenis
- Outside Hitter Rosamaria, Minas Tenis
- Middle Blocker Mara, Minas Tenis
- Middle Blocker Adenizia da Silva, Savino Del Benne Volley Scandicci, Italy
- Libero Suelen Pinto, Foppadpedreetti Bergamo, Italy
Of the 7, all but Naiane and Suelen were members of Brazil’s 2016 Olympic Team. Naiane played her way through Brazil’s age group national teams, including playing at the 2015 U23 World Championships; and like most teams, Brazil only carried one libero in Rio, where Leia was chosen over Suelen.
3 other players, in addition to the original 6, have been invited to participate in the camp since May 1st, though they haven’t officially been named to Brazil’s travel roster yet. They are m
- 21-year old Outside Hitter Edinara Brancher, São Cristóvão Saúde/São Caetano (SP)
- 27-year old Outside Hitter Fernanda Tome, São Cristóvão Saúde/São Caetano (SP)
- 28-year old Outside Hitter Amanda Francisco, Terracap/BRB/Brasília Vôlei (DF)
The group is committed to Brazil’s 4 major tournaments this summer: Montreux Volley Masters, The FIVB World Grand Prix, the South American Championship, and the World Grand Champions Cup.
Brazil have won all 4 of those tournaments in their illustrious history, but are defending champions in 3. They have won the last 11 South American Championships, dating back to 1993; 3 of the last 4 FIVB World Grand Prixs (and 11 in history – more than any other nation); and 2 of the last 3 World Grand Champions Cups in 2013 and 2005.
The team finished tied for just 5th at last year’s Montreux Masters, and haven’t finished on the podium in the annual event since winning in 2013. That will be their first test of the summer, played in Switzerland between June 6th and 11th.
Brazil has already named its full contingent of 18 men for the World League.
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