The debuting middle blocker registered ten stuffs as the South Americans now have a two-point lead in the VNL 2026
Published 04:49, 20 Jun 2026
Luzia's ten blocks are the second-highest for a player in VNL history, one short of the mark achieved by Serbian Hena Kurtagić in 2025
FIVB World Ranking No. 2 Brazil are clear at the top of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 standings after they defeated China on Saturday in Ankara during the second week of the Preliminary Phase.
Except for the third set, the South Americans were in control the entire time in the encounter that opened the fourth day of matches in the Turkish capital, advancing to a solid 3-1 (26-24, 25-18, 19-25, 25-15) win over the young Asians.
The result, paired with Japan's shocking loss to the Dominican Republic in Pasig City, helped the Brazilians create a two-point separation from the rest of the pack. The only undefeated team in the VNL 2026 with seven wins, they now have 19 points, and their closest chasers are the United States, with 17. Japan continue with 16 and dropped to third.
Making her first-ever VNL start, 22-year-old middle blocker Luzia Nezzo put on a masterclass at the net and helped Brazil stop the Chinese offense. The 1.99m-tall player registered ten blocks, the second-highest mark by a female player in a single match in VNL history, and was instrumental in their victory.
With 12 points (she also had one kill and one ace), Luzia was only Brazil's fourth-best scorer in the match, behind outside hitters Julia Bergmann (20) and Ana Cristina Souza (13) and opposite Rosamaria Montibeller (17).
"I'm really happy about how the team performed in the difficult moments," team captain Gabriela 'Gabi' Guimarães, who was out of the match as she recovers from an injury, said. "The coaching staff has been giving some of our young players some opportunities, and they're showing they can make a difference for us. Luzia was incredible today and helped us with her blocking, which is a very important area of the game. She's super talented and works really hard. I'm sure that after this performance our coaches will have tough decisions to make."
China, which had their five-match winning streak stopped, got 15 points (13 kills, one block, one ace) from opposite Tang Xin and another 12 (all in kills) from outside hitter Zhuang Yushan.
The second match of the day in Ankara had a spectacular ending, with hosts Türkiye coming back from a two-set deficit to reverse sweep Germany 3-2 (18-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 15-13) and please their home fans.
Star opposite Melissa Vargas was massive for the Turks, leading their comeback with an amazing 32 points (29 kills, two aces, one block) and winning the scoring battle with German outside hitter Lina Alsmeier, who registered 25 (22 kills, two blocks, one ace).
Three matches are scheduled for Sunday - the day starts with Belgium facing France at 12:30 local time (9:30 GMT), continues with Germany playing Brazil at 16:00 (13:00 GMT) and ends with Türkiye challenging China at 19:30 (16:30 GMT).
In Bangkok, hosts Thailand sent their fans back home with smiles on their faces again after earning their second straight victory in the VNL. After beating Bulgaria on Thursday, the Asians returned to action on Saturday and produced a 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 25-20) win over Canada.
Outside hitter Sasipapron Janthawisut was again pivotal in the Thai success, leading the team with 22 points (19 kills, two aces, one block). Canadian opposite Kiera Van Ryk matched her production with 20 kills, one block and one ace.
Earlier, Poland continued their perfect week in Bangkok by topping the Netherlands 3-1 (25-17, 25-17, 14-25, 25-23) to earn their third victory in as many matches in the city. Outside hitter Julita Piasecka was the leading scorer with 20 points (17 kills, two blocks, one ace).
On Sunday, the match schedule in the Thai capital has Bulgaria and Ukraine clashing at 13:00 local time (6:00 GMT), Canada and Poland meeting at 17:00 (10:00 GMT) and Thailand and the Netherlands battling at 20:30 (13:30 GMT).
The most surprising results of the fourth day of the second week of the VNL 2026 certainly came from Pasig City, the Philippines, where Japan's undefeated streak ended and FIVB World Ranking leaders and reigning Olympic and world champions Italy went down.
Coming from six straight wins in the VNL, the Asians were upset by the Dominican Republic, which was the only team to not have won yet, surprisingly dropping their encounter 3-1 (17-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-23).
Outside hitter Flormarie Heredia led the Dominican offense with 17 points (16 kills, one block). Four other players - middle blockers Jineiry Martinez (14) and Geraldine Gonzalez (11), outside hitter Yonkaira Peña (13) and opposite Alondra Tapia (11) - also got to double digits in scoring.
Japan, which rested captain Mayu Ishikawa in the match, had opposite Yukiko Wada matching Heredia's production with 17 points (all in kills), one more than outside hitter Yoshino Sato.
The other match of the day in Pasig City also had a somewhat surprising result, with the United States taking two-time defending VNL champions Italy down 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-16).
Opposite Stephanie Samedy was the most productive American player, leaving the court with 12 points (all in kills), one more than outside hitter Madison Banks. Italian opposite Merit Adigwe topped all scorers with 13 points (eight kills, four blocks, one ace).
On Sunday, the VNL 2026 departs from Pasig City with a three-match daily schedule that will have Serbia playing the United States at 12:00 local time (4:00 GMT), Czechia meeting the Dominican Republic at 16:00 (8:00 GMT) and Japan battling Italy at 20:00 (12:00 GMT).
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