Cruzeiro back in first place in the Superliga as the second round begins

Defending champions Sada Cruzeiro returned to the top of the 2025-2026 Brazilian Men's Superliga standings on Friday, when the second round of the regular season kicked off.

The five-time world champions ended the first round tied in points with Vôlei Renata Campinas and behind in the number of victories, but took advantage of an upset by their rivals to jump ahead as the second half of the season began.

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Following the conclusion of the first four matches of the first leg of the second round, Cruzeiro now have a two-point lead over Campinas - they have 32 points to their opponents' 30, with both teams having ten wins and two losses. Third-placed Praia Clube, which are yet to play, have 23 (nine wins, two losses).

Cruzeiro returned to the top of the standings thanks to a 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-21) road win over 12th-placed JF Vôlei on Friday. Opposite Welinton Oppenkoski led the team with 15 points (14 kills, one block), two more than outside hitter Wilian Doardo, who fired six aces and earned the match's MVP award.

"I'm very happy with this victory," Wilian remarked. "I don't recall having scored so many aces in one match, but I've put in a lot of time working on my service during the end-of-year break. I'm happy that it showed today and helped us win."

Cruzeiro's victory alone wouldn't be enough to get the team back in first place, but they counted on an unlikely defeat by 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship semifinalist Campinas to ninth-placed Azulim Sicoob Aracoop Monte Carmelo to do it. Playing on the road, the then-leaders fought back after a bad start, but still couldn't avoid the setback, falling in the tie-breaker (25-23, 26-24, 23-25, 14-25, 15-12). Outside hitter Lucas Lima was the match's MVP.

SESI beat Joinville in five

In another five-setter, SESI Bauru topped Joinville Vôlei 3-2 (24-26, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, 15-11) and got to 17 points (six wins, six losses), moving up from eighth to sixth. Outside hitter Gabriel Vaccari and opposite Guilherme Araújo scored 17 points each, while outside hitter Pedro Gonçalves added 11 and took home the MVP award.

Friday's schedule was completed with Itambé Minas' 3-1 (27-29, 25-23, 25-23, 25-21) win over Vôlei Guarulhos Bateubet - the team continues in fourth place, now with 22 points (seven wins, five losses). Opposite Samuel Neufeld topped all scorers with 24 points (18 kills, five blocks, one ace) and was selected as the MVP.

Brazilian Men’s Superliga – Match Schedule & Results

The leg will be completed on Saturday, when Praia play fifth-placed Saneago Goiás Vôlei at 18:30 (21:30 UTC) and 11th-placed Viapol Vôlei São José play at home against seventh-placed Suzano Vôlei at 21:00 (00:00 UTC, Sunday).

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