Flamengo increase their lead at the top of the Superliga standings

Current 2025-2026 Brazilian Women's Superliga leaders SESC RJ Flamengo were the biggest winners of the first leg of the second round of the regular season, increasing their separation from the rest of the field as the tournament returned to action after the end-of-year break this week.

The only undefeated team in the league, the Rio de Janeiro side earned its 12th-straight victory in the season while second-placed Gerdau Minas, who entered the week a single point behind them, suffered an unexpected upset.

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Flamengo played on Wednesday and, despite being on the road, took down ninth-placed Paulistano Barueri, triumphing in straight sets (25-17, 25-15, 25-17) to get to 33 points in the standings.

American outside hitter Simone Lee led Flamengo's offense against Barueri with 19 points (16 kills, three aces). The match's MVP award went to Olympic medalist opposite Tainara Santos, who contributed 11 (six kills, three blocks, two aces).

"I've been feeling at home since I joined Flamengo and am very proud to represent this team," Tainara said. "Not only because of our campaign, but for how we've able to overcome difficulties. I wasn't very happy with my game at the end of the year, and I wanted to start 2026 with a new attitude. When I play freely, the game flows."

Opposite Jheovana Emanuele was Barueri's most productive player with 11 points (eight kills, three aces).

Minas fall to Mackenzie

On Tuesday, in the first Superliga match in almost two weeks, Minas visited crosstown rivals Batavo Mackenzie and were surprisingly taken down 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-18), enduring just their second defeat in the season and continuing with 29 points (ten wins, two losses).

Outside hitter Gabriella 'Gabiru' Souza led Mackenzie with 15 points (14 kills, one ace), while team setter Kenya Malachias took home the MVP award. Olympic champion middle blocker Thaisa Menezes registered 11 points for Minas, with ten kills and one block.

Besides not earning points, Minas also saw the two teams immediately below them do it and challenge them for second place. In-state rivals Dentil Praia Clube also played on Tuesday and got the job done on the road against Brasília Vôlei, triumphing 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 27-25) with Bulgarian outside hitter Maria Koleva earning the MVP award and middle blocker Gabi Martins topping all scorers with 16 points. Praia won their seventh-straight Superliga match and now have 27 points (nine wins, three losses) in third place.

Ranked fourth, 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship bronze medalists Osasco São Cristovão Saúde got to 25 points (eight wins, four losses) after beating Tijuca Tênis Clube in straight sets (25-18, 25-18, 25-22) on Thursday. With 11 points scored (six kills, three blocks, two aces), middle blocker Larissa Besen was the match's MVP. American outside hitter Caitie Bird topped all scorers with 17 points (16 kills, one ace).

The first leg of the second round of the regular season also had Sancor Maringá Vôlei sweeping (25-13, 25-21, 27-25) Fluminense on Tuesday and SESI Vôlei Bauru overcoming Renasce Sorocaba 3-1 (25-18, 25-14, 23-25, 25-23) on Wednesday.

Brazilian Women’s Superliga – Match Schedule & Results

The second leg of the second will have one match on Sunday, four on Monday and another one on Tuesday.

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