Praia Clube, the Brazilian women's volleyball team, concluded the Women's Volleyball World Club Championship with a fourth-place finish after losing to Vero Volley Milano of Italy. The decisive match occurred early on December 22, 2024, at the Huanglong Sports Center in Hangzhou, China, with the final score being 3-0. The set scores were 25-23, 25-16, and 25-13.
This year marked the second consecutive fourth-place finish for Praia Clube, mirroring their performance from the previous year. Throughout the tournament, the team experienced ups and downs, with two victories against Red Rockets (Japan) and Ninh Binh (Vietnam), but fell short against powerhouse Conegliano (Italy) during the group stage.
Coach Marcão led the team through five matches, resulting in two wins and three losses. This is the third time the club has finished fourth overall at the World Clubs, repeating similar outcomes from 2018 and 2023. Despite not securing the coveted bronze medal, the competition provided valuable experience.
During the match for third place, Praia Clube entered the first set strong, even establishing an early lead of 8-3. The Brazilian team seemed poised to take the set; yet, Vero Volley Milano mounted a comeback, tying the score and eventually winning the set 25-23. Paola Egonu, who later was highlighted as the top scorer of the match with 22 points, played pivotal roles for the Italian side, showcasing her skills when it mattered most.
The second set proved more challenging for Praia Clube. Vero Volley quickly gained momentum, establishing significant advantages through decisive blocking strategies and strong offensive plays, winning the second set 25-16. With their confidence shaken, the Brazilian team struggled to regain momentum. The third set ended even more dramatically, with Milano dominating and closing it out at 25-13, securing the bronze medal.
Speaking after the match, Praia Clube's Instagram account captured the sentiment of the team: "Even though we didn’t win the medal, we leave this competition with the certainty of being strong..." This sentiment reflects the team’s resilience and focus on future competitions.
The team has showcased commendable performances throughout the tournament, with standout players like Payton Caffrey leading the scoring for Praia Clube, contributing significantly to their competitive spirit. The focus now shifts back to Brazil, where Praia Clube will prepare for the Superliga Feminina, resuming play on January 7, 2025, against Batavo Mackenzie.
Indeed, this tournament has served not just as competition, but also as preparation for the upcoming events. Beaching the considerable competition among top volleyball teams globally, the Praia Clube will take the lessons learned back home as they aim higher for the future.
