Strong blocking performance from Julia, Gabi, and Diana highlights the win.
Brazil demonstrated dominance at the net during Friday`s significant women`s Volleyball Nations League clash against Poland in Chiba, Japan. The South American team clinched a four-set triumph, surpassing their European adversaries in both attacking and blocking, marking Poland`s second defeat of the season. Brazil currently holds the second position in the VNL standings with a 10-1 record and 28 points. Poland, hosting the upcoming Finals in Lodz, is fourth with an 8-2 record and 24 points.
A remarkable block by 22-year-old middle blocker Julia Kudiess sealed the 3-1 victory for Brazil (25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22). Kudiess contributed an impressive six of her team`s 16 kill blocks and totaled 14 points. Outside hitter and captain Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi) and middle blocker Diana Alecrim were also outstanding on the block, adding five and four stuffs, respectively. Gabi was a force in attack as well, hitting at a 50% success rate and scoring a match-high 24 points. Other key contributors included outside hitter Julia Bergmann with 22 points, including two aces, and opposite Tainara Santos, who also reached double digits with 10 points.
“It felt very good, especially after the game yesterday. I think we recovered really well. We played really well today. Of course, we had ups and downs, but it was a great game,” Julia Bergmann commented after the match. “Of course, we are always going for the first place. We know we have a lot to learn and a lot to improve, but I think the group is really good. We work hard. Everyone works hard… It’s only the first year of the Olympic cycle, so I am really excited to see what this group can achieve.”
For Poland, three players achieved double-digit scores: opposite Magdalena Stysiak led with 15 points, outside hitter Martyna Lukasik added 13, and middle blocker and captain Agnieszka Korneluk contributed 10.
Friday`s subsequent VNL fixture is scheduled in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, where Serbia and Belgium will compete at 17:00 local time (15:00 UTC).
Oliver Wrenwick 
Jasper Thornfield