Brazil's wind spiker Natalia Pereira scored 14 points this sunday
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 12, 2016 – Motivated by the fans, Brazil defeated Serbia 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-18), with a great performance of Natalia Pereira. The hosting team finished the first weekend of FIVB World Grand Prix 2016 with a flawless remark.
Brazil adds a fourth victory over Serbia to its winning streak against the European team. The hosting team remains the only alongside Cuba, that Serbia never won against at the World Grand Prix. Brazil finishes the weekend with three victories, topping the pool ranking, while Serbia ends at the bottom with no victories and only one recorded set in Rio de Janeiro. Between the sets CBV paid a tribute to all Brazilian Olympians from women national team, who played in years 1980 to 2012. Stars such as Ana Moser, Fernanda Venturini, Virna, Leila and H´leia “Fofão” Souza were on court for the joy of all fans.
After the two previous defeats, Serbia came on court for an all-or-nothing match. On the other side Brazil used a heavy weaponry with six Olympic gold medalists. At the first set the service from Thaisa Menezes and Fernanda Rodrigues caused some damages to Serbia’s reception. Right after the first TTO, the Europeans improved the skills and with an inspired Jovana Brakocevic they reacted (12-13), but it did not help them to turn the score in their favour. Back ahead on the scoreboard the Brazilians kept pushing till the end of the set, 25-20.
The second set started with the similar scenario. Natália Pereira's serve became a nightmare for Serbia. Coach Aleksan Vladisavljec called for a time out, when Brazil was leading by 7-1 and lit a light on his team to score four points in a row to get back on track. It worked until Brazil’s superstar Sheilla Castro went to serve and scored two aces in a row for 18-14. The home team didn't give any chances to the visitors and won the second set by 25-18.
Right after the break, Serbia enhanced the reception in the third set, but was too dependent on the performance of Brakocevic, who scored 13 points in her "one-woman" show. The Brazilians were eager to finish the match in three sets, as its setter Danielle Lins diversified the offensive actions between the middle blockers Thaisa Menezes and Fabiana Claudino and with the wing spiker Natália Pereira, who ended as the top scorer of the match with 14 points. Brazil managed the advantage to get the third set by 25-18 and the match 3-0.