Lausanne, Switzerland, June 11, 2016 – Thaisa Menezes returned to the FIVB World Grand Prix with a bang on Friday, leading Brazil to a 3-0 victory over Japan.
Thaisa had a tough 2015 and was forced to miss last year’s World Grand Prix after undergoing surgery on both knees. While it may have given coach Ze Roberto the chance to try alternative players and strategies, it left a massive hole in the middle of Brazil’s defence.
The 28-year-old middle blocker has been a towering performer for Brazil in recent years. At 196 cm, she is Brazil’s tallest player, a powerful spiker and a sensational blocker.
Thaisa was the Best Server in the 2011 World Grand Prix, the Best Blocker a year later, the MVP in the 2013 World Grand Prix and the Best Middle Blocker in the 2014 FIVB World Championship.
On Friday, she showed just why she’s so valuable to the Brazil team, picking up a service ace, three blocks and 15 kills.
“I am practicing really hard and it is really good to be back in the court with the national team after last year’s knee surgeries,” Thaisa said. “I am ready to help my team in best possible way.”
In the video below, Brazil display some inspirational defence before Thaisa seals the point with a typically massive block.
She’s definitely back to her best.