SESI Bauru keep chasing Minas with five-set win

SESI Volei Bauru have kept their hopes of finishing second in the Brazilian Superliga regular season alive after they defeated Itambe Minas in a five-set (17-25, 25-17, 25-22, 18-25, 15-9) thriller on Friday.

Ranked third in the standings, the Bauru-based side now have 45 points (15 wins, five losses) to Minas’ 49 (16 wins, four losses). Dentil Praia Clube are clear at the top with 52 (18 wins, two losses), while fourth-placed Osasco Sao Cristovao Saude are also in the mix with 43 (15 wins, five losses). Each team will play two more matches before the end of the regular season.

It was the third time SESI Bauru defeated Minas in the season as the team coached by former Brazil men's national team assistant coach Roberley ‘Rubinho’ Leonaldo had previously prevailed in the Brazilian Cup final in January and in the Superliga first leg match at the end of 2021.

SESI showed excellent focus and determination to secure the victory as they were down 4-0 in the fifth set before scoring seven points in a row to take control and manage the advantage until the end.

American opposite Nia Reed was instrumental in SESI’s victory as she produced a match-high 25 points with 23 kills and two blocks. Outside hitter Thaisinha Custodio scored 11 (nine kills, two blocks) and was awarded as the Player of the Match.

London 2012 Olympic champions Dani Lins and Adenzia Ferreira also did well in SESI’s triumph as the team captain and setter performed consistently throughout the entire match while the middle blocker came off the bench in the third set to finish with eight points, including three blocks.

Minas’ international stars were the team’s top producers in the match as American opposite Danielle Cuttino tallied 20 points (19 kills, one block) and Turkish outside hitter Neriman Ozsoy added 19, all in kills.

There was good news for the Belo Horizonte side in the match in the form of two-time Olympic champion middle blocker Thaisa Menezes returning to action. Sidelined due to a leg injury since the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in December, the 34-year-old veteran entered the match in the third set and scored eight points, with four kills and four blocks, matching the output from fellow Olympic medallist and middle blocker Carol Gattaz.

SESI will be back on the court on Monday, against Unilife-Maringa, while Minas are set to face Osasco on Tuesday.