Baird and Cugno lead Osasco to third Superliga victory

Reigning Brazilian Women’s Superliga champions Osasco São Cristovão Saúde continue undefeated in the 2025-2026 edition of the tournament after the conclusion of the third leg of the first round of the regular season on Friday.

The team from São Paulo, which won the country’s Supercup two weeks ago, was on the road on Thursday but still managed to take down Brasília Vôlei 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17) in the country’s capital.

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The defending champions share the top of the standings with SESI Vôlei Bauru and Gerdau Minas - each of them has eight points and three victories. Also undefeated, but with one game in hand, SESC RJ Flamengo are fourth, with six points (two wins).

One of Osasco’s signings for the 2025-2026 season, American outside hitter Caitie Baird led the team’s third-straight Superliga victory, scoring 22 points (20 kills, one block, one ace) and receiving the match’s MVP award. Another new face, Argentine national team opposite Bianca Cugno added another 19, with 17 kills and two aces.

“I’m very happy with the victory,” Baird said. “I’ve settled very well with the team and we’ve been having a solid start to our season, with the Supercup title and three Superliga victories. Of course, there’s a lot for us to improve in our game, but we’re headed in the right direction.”

Outside hitter Karen Anjos was Brasília’s leading scorer with 16 points (14 kills, two blocks).

Osasco will play again on Friday, when they return home to face Batavo Mackenzie, while Brasília's next match will be on the road, against Sancor Maringá Vôlei, on the same day.

Johnson and Lee also shine

Two other international players had standout performances in the third leg, leading their teams to home victories on Friday. Canadian national team outside hitter Hilary Johnson was one of them, scoring 19 points (15 kills, four blocks) and earning the MVP award in Minas' 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19) victory against Fluminense in Belo Horizonte.

In Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo topped Dentil Praia Clube a few hours later, counting on 19 points (16 kills, two aces, one block) from American outside hitter Simone Lee, who also earned the MVP award, to win in straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 26-24).

Also on Friday, SESI pulled off a dramatic victory, coming back from a two-set deficit to beat Paulistano Barueri 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 15-3). Outside hitters Talia Costa and Roslandy Acosta scored each 20 points for SESI, while Barueri's opposite Jheovana Emanuele topped all scorers with 22.

The leg started on Thursday, with Maringá sweeping (25-22, 25-10, 25-20) Tijuca Tênis Clube and Mackenzie earning their first victory, beating Renasce Sorocaba also in straight sets (25-7, 25-11, 25-13).

Brazilian Women’s Superliga – Match Schedule & Results

The fourth leg of the regular season will have six matches taking place between Thursday and Sunday.

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