Cruzeiro clinch the top seed for the Superliga playoffs

Defending champions Sada Cruzeiro will enter the 2025-2026 Brazilian Men's Superliga playoffs as the top-seeded team, as their position was confirmed at the conclusion of the tenth leg of the second round of the regular season.

The five-time world champions needed to earn a point in their Sunday road match against tenth-placed Joinville Vôlei to clinch the highest seed one leg in advance, but they went beyond, and triumphed 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-20).

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With the three points earned, Cruzeiro got to 54 and continue to have a six-point lead over second-placed Vôlei Renata Campinas, which on Saturday defeated 12th-placed JF Vôlei 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18), with only one more match to be played by each team before the end of the regular season.

Olympic champion outside hitter Douglas Souza scored 13 points (11 kills, two blocks) and earned the match's MVP award. He was the team's second-best scorer, trailing only opposite Welinton Oppenkoski, who tallied 18 points, with 15 kills, two aces and one block.

"We were very consistent tonight and managed to play at our own pace since the start," Oppenkoski said. "We knew this was an important match for us, not only because of the possibility of finishing first, but also because of the moment of the season we're at. We need to get to the playoffs in the best possible form, and matches like this help."

Playoff lineup completed

The tenth leg of the second round also confirmed the full lineup for the playoffs, with the last four spots being filled during the weekend. Suzano Vôlei, Azulim Sicoob Aracoop Monte Carmelo, Vôlei Guarulhos Bateubet and Saneago Goiás Vôlei qualified, leaving SESI Bauru out of the postseason.

Seventh-placed Guarulhos secured their spot on Saturday, when they defeated ninth-placed SESI 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 26-14) at home and got to 31 points.

On Sunday, sixth-placed Monte Carmelo caused a big upset, beating third-placed Praia Clube 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 28-30, 25-23) in front of their home fans and getting to 32 points.

Fifth-placed Suzano moved forward thanks to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18) road win over eighth-placed Goiás on Monday that got them up to 32 points.

The tenth leg also had fourth-placed Itambé Minas sweeping (25-23, 25-17, 26-24) 11th-placed Viapol Vôlei São José on the road on Sunday.

Brazilian Men’s Superliga – Match Schedule & Results

The 11th and last leg of the second round of the regular season will have all six matches happening at the same time on Friday, with first serve scheduled for 21:00 local time (00:00 UTC, Saturday).

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