Volleyball News: Brazil delighted its home fans in its first match of VNL 2024 with a four-set victory against Canada on Tuesday (05/14) at the Maracanãzinho stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The South American team endured three tricky sets before finding their rhythm to defeat Canada 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 26-24, 25-12) and earn three points in the 2024 VNL rankings as well as 2.85 points in the FIVB world rankings, which temporarily keeps them in third place.
Playing her first match with the national team in over 11 months, 20-year-old outside hitter Ana Cristina Souza made an impressive comeback, producing a team-high 20 points for Brazil, with 17 kills, 2 ace and 1 block.
Ana Cristina injured her knee after the first week of VNL 2023 and missed the rest of the tournament as well as most of the club’s season with Fenerbahçe in Turkey.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” he said after the match. “I was born in Rio and I feel at home here, playing in front of my family. Debuts are always important and it’s great that we managed to start with a victory.
“I had to work a lot on my mental strength during my absence because my recovery took longer than expected and I didn’t have much time to play with my club after my return.
“But I have high hopes for the international season and I want to arrive here in good shape to give my all in our preparation for the Olympics.”
Article label: VNL 2024, Brazil, Canada
“Prone to fits of apathy. Beer evangelist. Incurable coffeeaholic. Internet expert.”
