Brazil’s Natalia Pereira has been named the week three Player of the Week at the World Grand Prix. Over the weekend Pereira put up big numbers for the Brazilian squad, helping them to qualify for the Final Six of the competition and post a 3-0 record in week three.
Brazil finished in third place overall, with a 6-3 record and just one point shy of tying Team USA for second place. The first week the Brazilian’s went 2-1 on the week, followed by a slump in a tough pool, going just 1-2 in week two. The final week was when they shined, going 3-0 to finish off the preliminary rounds, having some momentum going into the finals.
The finals for Group 1 will be held in Nanjing, China from August 2-6. The team’s first test will be against China on August 2 followed by the Netherlands on August 3. Depending on how they finish those two matches and the other teams do will determine if they make it to the semifinals.
In their match against Belgium, Pereira put down 13 points on eight kills, two blocks and three aces. Against the Netherlands, she added another 17 points on 13 kills and four blocks. Finally, against Team USA, Pereira put down a match-best 19 points on 15 kills, three blocks and one ace. In total, Pereira put down 49 points on the week.
In addition, there were another five players that highlighted the week, making the week three Dream Team.
- China’s Zhu Ting
- Russia’s Irina Zaryazhko
- Thailand’s Pleumjit Thinkaow
- Italy’s Ofelia Malinov
- Belgium’s Amber de Tant
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