Brazil's women's volleyball team keeps perfect record at South American Championship, edges closer to Olympic spot
Brazil's women's national volleyball team beat Colombia 3-0 on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, maintaining a perfect record at the South American Championship, whose winner earns direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Convincing win over Colombia
On Thursday, September 10, at the Maracanãzinho arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's women's volleyball team won its third straight match, defeating Colombia 3-0, according to CNN Brasil. The set scores were 25-19, 25-18, and a tight 36-34 in the third set, which ran well beyond the usual 25 points. UOL reports that Brazil started strong, jumping to a 12-4 lead in the first set and closing it 25-19, despite a late rally by Colombia that narrowed the gap to 21-18.
In the second set, per UOL, opposite hitter Rosamaria complained of discomfort in her left knee at 3-3 and went to the locker room for treatment, though she continued playing. Colombia capitalized, taking a 10-7 lead, prompting coach José Roberto Guimarães to call a timeout. Brazil responded with a block from Sabrina to tie it 10-10 and then pulled ahead, closing the set 25-18.
CNN Brasil reports that wing spiker Ana Cristina was the match's top scorer with 24 points.
Perfect record and Olympic stakes
The win keeps Brazil unbeaten with three wins in three matches, all by 3-0 sweeps — following earlier victories over Venezuela and Peru. Against Peru on September 9, Brazil won 25-16, 25-16, 25-15, according to GZH; middle blocker Diana and wing Gabi led the scoring with 12 points each, while Peru's top scorer was opposite hitter Aixa Vigil with 9.
The South American Championship features six national teams — Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela and Peru — and its winner secures direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, per CNN Brasil. According to the standings reported by GZH before Thursday's match, Brazil led with 6 points, Argentina had 5, and Colombia had 4. Argentina had beaten Colombia 3-2 on Tuesday, making it important for Brazil's coach not to drop points in the direct fight for first place.
Brazil's next match is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 1:30 p.m. Brasília time, again at Maracanãzinho, against Chile.
