South American Club Championship medallists University San Martin de Porres Lima (bronze), Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro (gold), Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia (silver).
Lausanne, Switzerland, February 19, 2017 - Led by tournament MVP Gabi Guimaraes and the team's best scorer in the final Monique Pavao, Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro triumphed 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-19, 25-10) over hosts Praia Clube of Uberlandia for their third straight and fourth overall South American Women's Club Championship title, as well as a ticket to the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship next May in Kobe.
Final points and celebrations for Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro.Outside hitter Alix Klineman of USA did her best to keep Praia Clube in the game with her top-scoring 20 points in the final, but the hosts lasted only three sets before a sellout crowd of 3,000.
Sellout crowd in Uberlandia for South American Club Championship.The win extended the Rio side's head-to-head record against Praia Clube to an impressive 22-0, including the Brazilian Superleague.
Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro join hosts Hisamitsu Springs of Kobe and reigning Asian Champions NEC Red Rockets of Kawasaki in the Club Worlds from May 8 to 14. 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.
It will be the fourth appearance of Rexona-Sesc Rio in the Club World Championship, after a silver medal in 2013 in Doha, a fourth place in 2015 in Doha and a fifth last year in Manila.
Last year's silver medallists and reigning Peruvian champions University of San Martin de Porres of Lima had to settle for bronze this season, after defeating the Argentine champions Villa Dora of Santa Fe 3-0 (25-20, 31-29, 25-18). Captain Angela Leyva was top scorer and most outstanding player of the game with 17 points for USMP. Maria Giorgi bagged 11 points for Villa Dora.
"It was a good match. In the second set things got a little complicated, but we picked up again in the third, calmed down and focused on the game. Congratulations to our opponents who did a good job. We played as we had to play and I think it was a nice show," said Leyva.
The final day had begun with Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires claiming fifth place with a 3-1 (20-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-12) win over Olympic Cochabamba. The Argentines were led by Michaela Fabiani who scored 16 points, but Olympic's Fernanda Maida was top scorer of the game with 17.
Final ranking 2017:1. Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
2. Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia (BRA)
3. University of San Martin de Porres Lima (PER)
4. Villa Dora Santa Fe (ARG)
5. Boca Juniors Buenos Aires (ARG)
6. Olympic Cochabamba (BOL)
Dream Team 2017:MVP: Gabi Guimaraes (Rio).
Outside hitters: Alix Klineman (Praia) & Angela Leyba (USMP).
Middle blockers: Fabi Claudino (Praia) & Walewska Oliveira (Praia).
Opposite: Monique Pavao (Rio).
Setter: Roberta Ratzke (Rio).
Libero: Fabi Oliveira (Rio).
Dream Team (left to right): Gabi Guimaraes, Monique Pavao, Roberta Ratzke, Fabi Oliveira, Walewska Oliveira, Fabiana Claudino, Angela Leyva, Alix Klineman.Quick links - Volleyball:FIVB.com - VolleyballFIVB.com
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