SESI and Praia face off for fourth place in the Superliga

Less than two weeks after battling in the Brazilian Cup quarterfinals, SESI Vôlei Bauru and Dentil Praia Clube are set to meet again in a high-stakes match, this time in the 2025-2026 Brazilian Women's Superliga.

Separated by just two points in the standings, the teams will play in the last match of the fifth leg of the second round of the regular season, on Friday, at 21:30 local time (00:30 UTC, Saturday), in Bauru, in what will be a direct battle for fourth place in the standings.

• Watch the Brazilian Superliga live on VBTV

The two teams moved in different directions in the standings following the fourth leg of the regular season, as SESI climbed from fifth to fourth, with 32 points (11 wins, five losses), while Praia went down from third to fifth, with 30 (ten wins, five losses). Both teams can end the week as high as third place, depending on how Osasco São Cristovão Saúde, which have 33 points (11 wins, five losses), do in their match.

SESI recovered after going down to Praia in straight sets in the Brazilian Cup quarterfinals and won their next two Superliga matches, beating both Brasília Vôlei and Fluminense on the road.

Captained by Olympic champion setter Dani Lins, SESI have opposite Bruna Moraes as their leading scorer in the season with 186 points, six more than Venezuelan outside hitter Roslandy Acosta. Veteran libero Léia Silva, who leads the league in passing efficiency (70.6%), and middle blocker Mayany Souza, who's third in blocks (58), are other pillars of the team.

Praia couldn't keep up the great level they showed in the Brazilian Cup quarterfinals in their next Superliga match, going down to rivals Gerdau Minas in straight sets on the road.

Americans Morgahn Fingall, the team's top scorer with 179 points, and Payton Caffrey, who comes next with 176 and ranks third in the league in aces (17), provide most of the team's firepower. On the backcourt, Olympic medalist libero Natália 'Natinha' Araújo has been the most productive, ranking fourth in passing efficiency (64.7%).

Praia won both matches involving the teams in 2025-2026 in straight sets, but last season SESI eliminated them with back-to-back victories in the Superliga semifinals.

Mackenzie and Barueri clash for eighth place

Another direct duel will get the fifth leg started on Thursday, putting in play a critical spot in the standings. The first team outside the qualification zone for the playoffs, ninth-placed Batavo Mackenzie, which have 14 points (five wins, ten losses), will host eighth-placed Paulistano Barueri, who have 15 (four wins, 11 losses) and are the first team above the line, at 19:00 (22:00 UTC).

Also on Thursday, at the same time, 12th-placed Renasce Sorocaba face seventh-placed Fluminense. Later, at 21:30 (00:30 UTC, Friday), third-placed Osasco play at home against sixth-placed Sancor Maringá Vôlei.

Brazilian Women’s Superliga – Match Schedule & Results

The leg will be completed on Friday, with another two matches, which will both start at 19:00 (22:00 UTC). In one of them, 11th-placed Tijuca Tênis face second-placed Minas, while the other one will have tenth-placed Brasília going against leaders SESC RJ Flamengo.

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