Pena stands out as Flamengo upset Superliga leaders Praia

In one of the most exciting matches of the 2021-2022 Brazilian Superliga season so far, 12-time national champions SESC Flamengo claimed an important win over leaders Dentil Praia Clube on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, handing their rivals just their second upset in the league.

The team managed by France national team’s head coach Bernardo ‘Bernardinho’ Rezende had ups and downs during the match, but fought to secure a 3-2 (27-25, 25-20, 20-25, 18-25, 15-12) victory against the reigning South American champions and celebrate their fifth consecutive triumph.

A Tokyo Olympian, Dominican outside hitter Yonkara Pena was instrumental to Flamengo’s success. The 28-year-old Caribbean led the team’s scoring efforts with 22 points (21 kills, one ace) and produced a team-high three points in the tie-breaker.

Middle blocker Milka Silva also had a key role in the result, tallying 15 points with eight kills, a match-high four aces and three blocks. She received the Player of the Match award.

“We had to fight really hard for this victory,” she said. “I think this team has grown tremendously from a mental standpoint over the last few weeks and results like this show we’re doing things right. We’ve been sacrificing a lot in training and it’s great to see it pay off. We’re very emotional now because we never gave up on the match and there’s nothing better than being rewarded at the end.”

Despite the defeat, there were a couple of spectacular performances on Praia’s side as well. Originally an outside hitter, 21-year-old Tainara Santos, a member of the Brazilian national team during the 2019 Volleyball Nations League, was moved to opposite to replace the injured Brayelin Martinez and responded with a match-high 31 points (26 kills, four blocks, one ace).

Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva was also in great form as she produced 24 points (12 blocks, nine kills and three aces). Her blocking performance was particularly remarkable as she scored more points in that skill than all of her teammates combined and was just two points short of Flamengo’s entire production.

Despite the upset, Praia remain at the top of the standings, with 49 points (17 wins, two losses), four points clear of second-placed Itambe Minas. Flamengo have moved up to fourth, with 36 points (12 wins, seven losses).

Flamengo will be back on the court on March 3, against Curitiba Volei on the road, while Praia play the following day, at home, against Country Club Valinhos.