Flamengo overcame rivals Fluminense in a 3-0 sweep at Ginásio da Hebraica to secure their second consecutive Rio de Janeiro Women’s Volleyball Championship title.
The century-old rivalry between Rio’s biggest clubs has added a new chapter on the volleyball court. Playing as the visiting team, Flamengo‘s women’s squad showed great mental and technical strength to defeat Fluminense in the state tournament’s grand final, cementing their stability in the sport.
The victory felt particularly significant, as the Tricolor had gained the upper hand just days earlier in the final round of the qualifying phase, earning the right to host the final. However, under the experienced guidance of Bernardinho, the red-and-black squad successfully neutralized the pressure from the home crowd in Rio’s South Zone to bring another trophy back to Gávea.
Red-and-Black dominance in the first set
The match began with an intense point-for-point battle, reflecting the weight of a regional final. As the first set progressed, the visiting team’s offensive firepower began to make the difference. Led by inspired performances from Juju and Lorena, the visitors pulled away in the decisive stretch to take the opening set 25-18, silencing the home crowd.
The second set followed a similar pattern of initial balance, with both teams trading points until the midway mark. That was when Simone Lee, the team’s technical reference this cycle, took center stage. Taking responsibility on the attack and hitting an indefensible serve, she led her team to a 25-21 win.
The strength of our group makes the difference in high-pressure moments, and we knew how to maintain our focus to secure this road victory.
Comeback thwarted and title secured
In the third set, Fluminense adopted a more aggressive approach and came very close to extending the match, leading the scoreboard in the final stretch. However, Flamengo‘s tradition in decisive moments spoke louder. After leveling the score at 22-22, the team tightened their defense and once again relied on Simone Lee‘s talent to seal the 3-0 sweep.
This result consolidates the club’s hegemony on the state scene, adding another trophy to the cabinet this decade. The back-to-back championship crowns an overwhelming start to the season for the capital-based group, which weeks earlier had already won the Women’s Supervôlei Cup after an emotional duel against Praia Clube.
With the state trophy secured, the team’s planning now shifts to the national calendar. The next challenge is scheduled for the 19th, when Flamengo will host Paulistano Barueri back in Rio de Janeiro, in a match valid for the continuation of the competition.
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