After ranking ninth in Saquarema in April, Carol and Rebecca made it to the semifinals of the next three Brazilian events, taking silver in the country's capital Brasília later in the same month, finishing fourth in João Pessoa in September and winning gold in Rio de Janeiro in the same month.
Their compatriots Thâmela Coradello and Victoria Lopes, who they defeated in the bronze medal match in Australia, are also entered in this week's event at the Meia Praia Beach. The two, who also have good results in the previous Brazilian events, having won gold in Saquarema and silver in Rio, will be determined to return to the top of the FIVB World Rankings, after being passed by Americans Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss last week - they are now tied with Carol and Rebecca in second place with 8,000 points, 200 behind the Americans.
Beach Pro Tour Itapema Elite - Women's Entry List
Besides the two semifinalists, six other teams that competed at the World Championship two weeks ago made the trip to play in Brazil this week - Ukraine's Valentyna Davidova/Anhelina Khmil, Italy's Giada Bianch/Claudia Scampoli, Puerto Rico's Maria Gonzalez/Allanis Navas and Japan's Reika Murakami/Asami Shiba, who finished 17th, and Brazil's Vitória Rodrigues/Hegeile 'Hegê' Almeida and Lithuania's Monika Paulikiene/Aine Raupelyte, who ranked 37th in Australia.
