Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Natalia, one of Brazil’s rising stars, has once again shown that she is set to one of the stars for this year’s edition of the FIVB World Grand Prix after top scoring in Brazil’s “super” Superliga match of the round on Monday.
The 20-year-old, who finished as Brazil’s Best Spiker during the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix and was the top scorer during the 2007 FIVB Women's Junior World Championship, scored 20-points for Sollys/Osasco in their 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-21) victory over Blausiegel Sao Caetano.
The match featured no less than seven Olympic champions with Carolina, Jaqueline (returning after a sprained ankle), Sassá and Thaisa from Sollys Osasco* helping to beat fellow Brazilian team mates Fofão, Mari and Sheilla from Blausiegel Sao Caetano. All seven won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games while Sassá, Thaisa, Mari and Sheilla featured with Natalia in Brazil’s runner’s up placing behind Italy at the 2009 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November.
Natalia, who was called up to the Brazilian senior squad only last year, is looking good to further raise her profile on the international stage, with the 2010 edition of the FIVB World Grand Prix starting on August 6, for which Brazil are defending champions and will be looking for their ninth title and sixth in seven years.
*Sollys Osasco remain unbeaten in eight games and currently sit at the top of the Superliga table. For more information on the Superliga click here
For more information on the FIVB World Grand Prix click here
