Praia and Minas Continue to Dominate Brazil’s Superliga
Midweek victories have further cemented the dominance of Dentil Praia Clube and Gerdau Minas at the top of the 2024-2025 Brazil Women’s Superliga standings. Representing Brazil in the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship, the two Minas Gerais rivals have effectively turned the domestic league into a fierce two-horse race.
As the season progresses, both teams remain the benchmarks of consistency and skill, pulling ahead of the competition in a tight battle for supremacy. The eighth round of the regular season saw both clubs extend their lead over the rest of the field, creating a comfortable three-point gap between themselves and third place.
For volleyball fans in Brazil, a selection of Superliga matches is available for live streaming on VBTV for subscribers, providing front-row access to some of the most competitive games in the league.
Praia Triumphs Over Osasco in a Five-Set Thriller
League leaders Praia faced a significant challenge from third-placed Osasco São Cristovão Saúde, ultimately prevailing in a hard-fought 3-2 victory (25-21, 20-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-12). The match showcased the resilience and depth of the Uberlândia-based team as they bounced back from a surprising loss to SESI Vôlei Bauru last week.
Russian outside hitter Sofya Kuznetsova led the charge for Praia, delivering an outstanding performance with 21 points and earning the Player of the Match award. Her efforts were complemented by strong showings from American outside hitters Nia Reed and Payton Caffrey, who contributed 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Reflecting on the intense battle, Praia’s head coach Marcos Miranda said: “Matches at this level are always highly competitive. It’s normal for teams to struggle with maintaining consistency across five sets. What matters most is how we execute in critical moments, and tonight, we did just that. Staying at the top of the standings is crucial for us, and this game serves as excellent preparation for the Club World Championship.”
On the opposing side, Osasco’s international stars also delivered strong performances. Azeri opposite Polina Rahimova topped the team’s scoring charts with 19 points, while American middle blocker Callie Schwarzenbach contributed 16 points, showcasing her ability to impact both offensively and defensively.
Minas Sweep SESI in Dominant Fashion
In contrast to Praia’s tightly contested match, Gerdau Minas secured a more straightforward win, sweeping SESI with an emphatic 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-18, 25-18) in Belo Horizonte. Demonstrating dominance from start to finish, Minas once again proved why they are a top contender in the league.
Dominican Olympian Yonkaira Peña was the star of the night, tallying an impressive 18 points and earning the Player of the Match accolade. Brazilian opposite Kisy Nascimento also played a pivotal role, adding 13 points to the team’s total. On SESI’s side, Venezuelan outside hitter Roslandy Acosta led her team with 12 points in a valiant effort.
“I’m extremely happy with how I played tonight,” Peña commented. “This victory is significant for us, especially since it’s our last home game of the year. It’s a fantastic result that will fuel our momentum as we continue to compete in the Superliga.”
Superliga Standings After Round Eight
With their latest wins, Praia continues to lead the Superliga standings, now holding 24 points with a record of nine wins and one loss. Minas, with a game in hand, sits close behind in second place with 22 points from eight wins and one loss. Osasco follows in third with 19 points, while SESC RJ Flamengo (17 points) and SESI (15 points) complete the top five.
Eyes on the Club World Championship
With the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship just two weeks away, both Praia and Minas are laser-focused on maintaining their top form. The tournament will provide an opportunity for these two Brazilian powerhouses to test their mettle against some of the best clubs in the world.
As the domestic season continues, fans can expect more thrilling encounters as these two teams battle for Superliga supremacy while gearing up for their international campaign.
