National team of Brazil
Brazil, who has won their last three World Grand Prix titles in Japan, finished with a perfect 5-0 record for 15 points and didn’t drop a set in the Finals, the first time that has happened. China finished 4-1 for 10 points. It was Brazil’s ninth straight win over China in the World Grand Prix but it was China’s first defeat in the World Grand Prix this year.
China started the first set poorly and didn’t really get much better. China coach Lang Ping called a timeout as her team fell to 1-6. Zhu Ting, who scored 33 points against Japan, was left out of the starting lineup and China’s attack looked fairly toothless early on. A block by Sheilla Castro put Brazil 16-8 ahead at the second technical timeout and it was one-way traffic after that.
China was a bit more solid in the second set. They were still only a point back at 10-9 but then Brazil turned the heat up, with Sheilla sending down a variety of winners. Fe Garay served an ace and Fabiana blocked Zeng as the Brazilians widened their lead to eight points at 19-11. A missed shot by Wang brought set point and Thaisa Menezes put Brazil 2-0 up.
China was looking good again at the start of the third set moving into an 8-6 lead at the first TTO. When China got a third block from Shen Jingsi to make the score 11-7, Brazil coach Ze Roberto called a timeout. Brazil was soon level at 12 and a rocket from Fe Garay put Brazil 14-12 up, Brazil was four points ahead at 20-16 but China closed to within a point at 20-19 Championship point came on a super block by Fe Garay on Zeng and Thaisa ended Brazil’s quest for gold with a solid hit down the middle.
Brazil had the advantage in blocking points 10-8 and in serves, 6-0.
Sheilla Castro led Brazil with 18 points, Fe Garay scored 14, while China’s top scorer was Wang Yimei with 13 and Yin Na noted 7 points
See the profiles of Sheilla, Wang, Brazil and China.
For more news from this competition, click on World Grand Prix 2013.
