Gabi Guimaraes and Juciely Barreto of Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro on the block to stop Villa Dora of Santa Fe in the semifinals of the South American Club Championship.
Lausanne, Switzerland, February 18, 2017 - Brazil's top two teams Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro and Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia defeated the opposition in the semifinals and will now face each other Saturday evening for the South American Women's Club Championship title and a ticket to the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship in Kobe next May.
Defending champions Rexona-Sesc Rio pounded the Argentine champions Villa Dora of Santa Fe from the service line and sailed to a 3-0 (25-10, 25-6, 25-17) win in under an hour, powered by Juciely's 12 points. Aylen Ponso, Lucia Herrera, Paula Bertona and Alejandra Westergaard scored 4 each for Villa Dora.
"I am very happy!" said Rexona-Sesc Rio libero Fabi, a two-time Olympic champion. "We met the first goal of making it to the final. We had a very good week In Uberaba and now we are going to Uberlândia to play another important decision."
"Beyond the result we are very happy, because we faced a top level team," said Villa Dora captain Westergaard. "Now we need to rest and think about tomorrow's game for third place that is very important."
Over in neighbouring Uberlandia, competition hosts Dentil Praia Clube, who currently trail only Rexona-Sesc Rio in the standings of Brazil's domestic Superleague, were shutting out Peru champions University of San Martin de Porres Lima 3-0 (25-18, 25-23 and 25-13) to gain the second ticket to the final.
"I want to congratulate our opponents - they're a very good team," said USMP captain Angela Leyva. "We played a good second set and almost won it. In fact we wanted more, but our team is growing little by little in spite of its young age. We have learned a lot from our opponents because they are excellent players."
Before the grand final, which begins at 21.00 GMT Saturday, Villa Dora will face USMP for bronze. The day's action in Uberlandia opens with the match for fifth place between Olympic Cochabamba and Boca Juniors Buenos Aires.
Final Day schedule in Uberlandia:15.00 GMT - 5th place: Olympic Cochabamba (BOL) v Boca Juniors Buenos Aires (ARG)
17.00 GMT - Bronze: Villa Dora Santa Fe (ARG) v University of San Martin de Porres Lima (PER)
21.00 GMT - Final: Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia (BRA) v Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
The Rio side will be going for their third straight and fourth overall title, after being crowned continental champions in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Praia Clube are making their debut in the competition this year. The last time the final of the South American Club Championship was an all-Brazil affair, Rexona-Ades Rio de Janeiro defeated Molico Osasco in 2015.
The winners of the South American Club Championship will join hosts Hisamitsu Springs of Kobe and reigning Asian Champions NEC Red Rockets of Kawasaki in the Club Worlds, 8-14 May. The 2017 European Champions League winners will also receive a direct ticket before the full roster is completed with the addition of four wild cards.
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