Brazilian Male Superliga
One of the toughest male volleyball domestic leagues in the world has kicked off its competition this weekend, as 12 clubs will battle for the Brazilian national crown. To show just how tight the race is this year, defending champions Cruzeiro dropped its first game 3-0 to Volei Renata, showing that no teams will face off against easy opponents this season. Cruzeiro went on to bounce back later in the week, as it is playing a few games ahead of schedule because of the upcoming FIVB Club WCH. Meanwhile, title favorites Taubaté also got the chance to debut its super-team, full of impressive roster additions, en route to an easy win. Below, you’ll find the round’s recap:
Results
|
VOLEI UM ITAPETININGA
|
0 – 3
|
|
|
SAO FRANCISCO SAUDE/VOLEI RIBEIRÃO
|
2 – 3
|
|
|
COPEL TELECOM MARINGA VOLEI
|
1 – 3
|
SESC-RJ
|
|
VOLEI RENATA
|
3 – 0
|
SAO JUDAS VOLEI
|
|
CORINTHIANS-GUARULHOS
|
1 – 3
|
FIAT/MINAS
|
|
CARAMURU VOLEI
|
0 – 3
|
EMS TAUBATE FUNVIC
|
|
VOLEI RENATA
|
3-0** |
|
** Game played ahead of schedule
Best stats of the round
- Ribeirão’s Gabriel Pessoa led the round’s scorers with 20 points. He also was the round’s best server with 4 aces.
- Renata’s Luiz Sene, Sesi’s Gustavo Bonatto, and Ribeirão’s Petrus Silva each had 5 blocks.
- Minas led all teams this round with a 65% hitting efficiency.
Story-Lines to Watch
- Taylor Sander is yet to make his debut for current champions Cruzeiro.
- Lipe, who holds the distinction of being Ribeirão’s president AND Sesi’s player, did not suit up for the teams’ match-up, as he is still nursing an elbow injury.
- An Olympic silver medalist in 2008, Marcelinho made his return to Superliga after three seasons. He is now 43 years old. In his match-up against Minas, he faced-off against
- also very experienced setter Marlon Yared, who is 41.
- Lucão debuted for his new team, Taubaté, with a nearly perfect game, scoring 14 points on 10/11 hitting, and 3 blocks.
- Douglas Souza and Ricardo Lucarelli started at the outside for Taubaté, with Facundo Conte coming off the bench.
- Kevin Le Roux only scored 6 points in his Cruzeiro debut
Best Quote of the Round
Youngster Gabriel Vaccari was very confident after his team’s surprise win against defending champs cruzeiro in Superliga’s opening week:
“I cant’t say this win was a surprise. We have been working hard, not only to win against a few teams, but to reach the finals and become champions.”
Standings
| Rk | Team | Pts |
|
1 |
VOLEI RENATA
|
6* |
|
2 |
EMS TAUBATE FUNVIC
|
3 |
|
3 |
FIAT/MINAS
|
3 |
|
4 |
SESC-RJ
|
3 |
|
5 |
3* | |
|
6 |
2 | |
|
7 |
SAO FRANCISCO SAUDE/VOLEI RIBEIRÃO
|
1 |
|
8 |
COPEL TELECOM MARINGA VOLEI
|
0 |
|
9 |
CORINTHIANS-GUARULHOS
|
0 |
|
10 |
VOLEI UM ITAPETININGA
|
0 |
|
11 |
SAO JUDAS VOLEI
|
0 |
|
12 |
CARAMURU VOLEI
|
0 |
*Teams have played one game ahead of schedule
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