Having already seven matches completed, reigning world champions Cruzeiro moved into first place last weekend, when they got to 17 points (five wins, two losses). The only undefeated team in the league, Praia have 16 (six wins) and are second, but have a solid chance of returning to first place when they level their rivals' number of matches played. Ranked third with 14 points (five wins, one loss), Campinas are a little bit behind, but could still end the weekend in first place, and also have a game in hand on Cruzeiro.
Praia will be the first among the three to get on the court, hosting Itambé Minas at UTC Arena, in Uberlândia, on Friday, at 18:30 local time (21:30 UTC), for an in-state Derby. One of the most traditional teams in the country, Minas had a rough start to their campaign, dropping their first three matches, but earned their first victory on Monday and now rank tenth with three points (one win, three losses).
The third-best scorer in the Superliga with 106 points, veteran opposite Franco Paese is Praia's main scoring force. Ranking fifth in the league with 15 blocks, middle blocker Wennder Lopes has been an important piece in the team's defensive system.
Cruzeiro will play on Saturday, at 16:00 local time (19:00 UTC), also at home, at the Riacho Stadium, in Contagem (MG), where they will host fourth-placed Suzano Vôlei, who have ten points earned this season with three wins and two losses.
The match will feature the two top scorers of the Superliga at the moment - Sada Cruzeiro's opposite Welinton Oppenkoski, who tops the table with 119 points, and his Suzano counterpart Guilherme Sabino, who comes right next with 107. Other standouts for Cruzeiro are middle blockers Otávio Pinto and Lucas Saatkamp, first (22) and fourth (16) in blocks in the Superliga, and outside hitter Rodrigo 'Rodriguinho' Leão, who's fifth in aces with seven.
