The 2023 Volleyball Nations League started off with a bang, but the intense moments and celebrations are definitely not over yet. Women’s Week 2 has an array of scene stealers that will leave you going ‘Whoa!’. And yes, there’s plenty of Thaisa Menezes’ moments in this list.
VNL 2023
VNL moments that made us go, 'Whoa!': Women’s Week 2
Thaisa Menezes stole our hearts and our attention at the 2023 VNL
Published 03:44, 19 Jun 2023
These wonderful women are back!
VNL women’s Week 2 was highlighted by the return of these wonderful women – USA’s Jordan Thompson and Haleigh Washington, Japan’s Mayu Ishikawa, and Brazil’s Gabi Guimaraes, Rosamaria Montibeller, Roberta Ratzke and Thaisa Menezes. Here they are putting on their game face, announcing their return and getting all the fans excited.
Wada game!
Young opposite Yukiko Wada wielded enormous influence in Japan’s tiebreaker victory against USA, scoring 32 points to become the second female player in the 2023 VNL to breach the 30-point mark, following Alexa Gray’s 37-point performance on Week 1. Wada did not only score big, but she also won big, as Japan were the first team to snap USA’s undefeated run in the tournament.
Thaisa is LOVE is Thaisa
Thaisa Menezes is perhaps the greatest scene stealer at the 2023 VNL. The Brazilian middle blocker is living the true example of a Goddess in real life – being the center of attention on and off the court. She has great charisma, energy, and most importantly, the excellent talent that matches her larger-than-life personality.
Thaisa also provides that leadership culture in the team. Imagine, making an instant impact on offense and defense after a five-year hiatus in the national team. She gives a different meaning to the ‘when she speaks, everyone listens’ expression because when Thaisa plays, everyone pays attention!
Here are three examples why Thaisa is undoubtedly the Queen of our hearts – on and off the court. First, she displayed flair on offence against Korea, returning a ball with her back against the net. Second, she had that Gandalf ‘You shall not pass!’ kind of net defense against Serbia, deflecting nine attacks and topping all scorers with 19 points. And third, she showed relationship goals as her supportive beau was there waiting for her after each match.
Perfectly captured moment of Thaisa Menezes' no-look return against a Korean blocker
When two Magdas collide
There’s no defying physics here. In Poland’s straight-set match win against Türkiye, Magdalena Jurczyk hammered a powerful spike that was too hot to handle for libero Ayca Aycac, but her teammate Magdalena Stysiak had a more powerful, unusual and hilarious response to that point as she pushed Jurczyk out of the way to celebrate.
“I didn’t want to push you that powerful hahaha It was unexpected but too much power. Love you so much @magda.jurczyk,” Stysiak apologizing for that power-packed, energy-filled reaction of hers.
Keep on Dancing
And you thought the 2023 VNL dance-offs are over! You’re wrong! Last week, we got the men dancing! This time, we have three dance groups competing for your attention. Dominican Republic knows the expression ‘the more the merrier’ so Brayelin, Jineiry and Yaneirys brought the whole squad to dance.
Challenging them are Germany duo Emilia Weske and Vanessa Agbortabi whose moves are lit; and last but not the least, Japan’s dance quintet – Nichika Yamada, Yuka Meguro, Aya Watanabe, Mayu Ishikawa and Mika Shibata – who gave us the energy that we need.
Be part of the energy of the 2023 VNL! Watch out for more ‘whoa’ moments each week on VBTV!
