Rexona Ades secured a ticket to the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship 2015 with the win (photo: Facebook)
São Paulo, Brazil, February 8, 2015 – Rexona Ades from Rio de Janeiro defeated big rivals Molico/Nestlé 3-1 (15-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-14) in the gold medal game of the South American Women’s Club Championship, clinching a ticket for the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.
All was set for a thrilling gold medal game at the 2015 South American Women’s Club Championship as hosts Molico/Nestlé faced their big rivals Rexona Ades; this big matchup between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, also known as the “Clássico do volei”, is famous for its intensity and passion on and off the court. Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere was breath-taking at the Ginásio Municipal Prof. José Liberatti in Osasco, São Paulo: over 4,500 volleyball fans did their bit for an epic volleyball afternoon.
The two teams didn’t dash the high expectation and started with an offensive fire into this gold medal game; the guests from Rio de Janeiro took the early lead. Molico/Nestlé, however, didn’t give in in this important stage of the set - and even overpowered the “Cariocas” with their strikers Thaisa Menezes, Kenia Carcaces and Marianne Steinbrecher. This offensive power resulted in a 25-15 opening win.
Nevertheless, the team from the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain kept their chins up: the “Cariocas” improved their blocking game and made some unbelievable big saves against double Olympic champion Thaisa Menezes, Marianne Steinbrecher and their teammates; the reigning Brazilian champions took the reins and downed the four-time South American Women’s Club champions 25-21 in the second set.
The two teams kept the pace high – and, as consequence, the spectators could enjoy volleyball at its finest. The strong strikers on both sides provided a proper spectacle keeping the game close until the very end of the set. Rexona Ades, however, could count on Brazilian national player Gabi Guimarães in this important stage: the 20-year-old striker made the difference with her unstoppable smashes – teammate Juciley, on the other hand, ended the third set with her kill to 25-22.
Molico/Nestlé had to handle the pressure now if they didn’t want to lose their second consecutive gold medal game at the South American Women’s Club Championship. Coach Luizomar’s players, however, started to struggle in their playmaking, since the “Cariocas” put too much pressure on them with their strong serves as well as their well-timed blocking game. Molico/Nestlé gave it everything to bounce back – even after trailing by 4-14; but it didn't work out - the “Cariocas” were too strong. The team from Sugarloaf Mountain admitted no doubts and downed big rivals Molico/Nestlé 25-14 in the fourth set.
Rexona Ades clinch the gold medal of South America’s most prestigious club tournament for the second time in club history; and as a result, the team from Rio de Janeiro also clinch their second ticket for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club Championship, which takes place in Zurich from May 6-10.