Clutch Carol shines in Praia’s dramatic victory

Dentil Praia Clube are one step closer to finishing the Brazilian Superliga’s regular season at the top of the standings after the reigning South American champions earned a pivotal, hard-fought victory on Friday.

In a match in which the teams combined for an impressive 36 block points, Praia used home-court advantage to their favour and came out on top of sixth-placed Fluminense in a five-set (25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13) encounter at the Arena Dentil.

The result brought Praia’s total points in the season up to 48 (17 wins, one loss) and kept the team in a comfortable position as the regular season nears its end. With just four more matches to be played, the team coached by Brazil’s national team assistant Paulo Coco now have a nine-point advantage over second-placed Itambe Minas and SESI Volei Bauru.

Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva was the most prolific blocker in the match, registering seven of Praia's 15 points at the net, including two of the three final points of the fifth set. The 30-year-old middle blocker also produced four kills and one ace to end the match with 12 points.

“I’m very happy with our victory and with how we played,” she said. “We knew Fluminense would be a tough opponent, especially after they defeated Osasco in their last match. We didn’t start the match the way we expected but we deserve credit for remaining calm when it mattered and pulling out this win.”

Fellow Olympian and Dominican middle blocker Jineiry Martinez tallied 16 points (12 kills, three blocks, one ace) and was awarded as the Player of the Match. Dutch outside hitter Anne Buijs led Praia’s offence in the absence of Dominican star Brayelin Martinez and ended the match with 17 points (13 kills, three aces, one block).

Fluminense’s opposite Kimberly Gomes was the match’s top scorer with 19 points (15 kills, three blocks, one ace). Outside hitters Paula Mohr, with 17 points (13 kills, four blocks), and Gabriela Candido, with 15 (12 kills, two blocks, one ace), and middle blocker and team captain Lara Nobre, with 14 (seven kills, six blocks, one ace), also reached double digits for the Rio de Janeiro-based club.

In another important match of the evening, Brazilian Cup winners SESI Bauru dominated fourth-placed Osasco Sao Cristovao Saude to a straight-set (25-22, 25-20, 25-22) victory that increased the difference between the teams in the standings to five points (39 to 34). American opposite Nia Reed scored 14 points (11 kills, two blocks, one ace) for the winners while compatriot Rachael Adams added 11 (seven kills, three aces, one block) for Osasco.

Leaders Praia will play again on Tuesday, when they face SESC Flamengo on the road.