Itambé Minas imposed the second defeat on Sada Cruzeiro Vôlei in the 2022–23 Brazilian Men’s Volleyball Championship.
For the first time in the current season, Minas beat the big rivals Cruzeiro in the classic of the Minas Gerais (clássico mineiro). After three clashes (two for the Minas Gerais state championship and one for the Brazilian Super Cup) that ended with Cruzeiro’s victories, the team of Nery Tambeiro did well in an away match in Contagem. The game was valid for the fifth round of the 2022-23 Superliga 1XBET Masculina. The 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, and 25-23) triumph helped Minas take over the leadership of the competition, squeezing Vôlei Renata (Campinas) out to the vice leader’s position on the table. The result meant Cruzeiro’s second defeat in a row in the championship.
Minas started the match at an intense pace. Efficient in defense and attack, the Belo Horizonte team, the two-time successive silver medalist of the Superliga, took advantage of Cruzeiro’s flaws on the court, mainly in unforced errors. The fourth set was the most balanced of the match. The two teams alternated at the top of the scoreboard, but Minas inflicted the final blow even though they committed more unforced errors (34-28) in the end. Marcus Coelho was Minas’ top scorer with 16 points. Kelvi Souza made 5 blocks. Wallace Souza grounded 19 points for Cruzeiro.
2022-23 Superliga 1XBET Masculina – regular season, Round 5:
November 14:
Vedacit Vôlei Guarulhos – Brasília Vôlei
November 24:
Café Vasconcelos/Imepac/Aracoop/Araguari – APAN/Eleva
