Author: Shreyas Sharma
In a thrilling match that attracted more than five thousand eager fans to Clube Concórdia, two-time Olympic champion Jaqueline marked her triumphant return to the volleyball courts. Wearing the Campinas Vôlei jersey, Jaqueline faced Barueri in a high-level match that determined a place in the semi-finals of the Paulista Women’s Championship.
Despite Jaqueline’s impressive performance, scoring 16 points in the game, she fell behind her teammate Saraelan, who managed 17. On the opposite end, Barueri were led by Luzia, who had an impressive performance with 15 points. In the end, Barueri emerged victorious, winning by three sets to one, with scores of 25/19, 13/25, 25/17 and 25/21.
The result of this intense match means that Barueri advance to the semi-finals, joining Osasco, Pinheiro and Sesi. On the other hand, Campinas, now strengthened by Jaqueline’s return, will shift their focus to Superliga C.
After the competition, Jaqueline expressed her emotions, saying: “The feeling of being back after two years is indescribable. We gave it our all and, although we wanted to qualify, unfortunately it wasn’t possible. We’d like to thank our fans from the bottom of our hearts, who turned up in large numbers, packed the gym and supported us all the way. Now let’s work on creating a great Super League.“
The match itself was a rollercoaster of intensity. In the early stages, Barueri took control, led by Luzia’s brilliant performance. The visitors even opened up a five-point lead, prompting Campinas to call a time-out. However, with Jaqueline showing her defensive skills, the gap began to narrow. Even so, Barueri took advantage of reception errors and secured the first set, which ended 25-19.
In the second set, Campinas made a remarkable comeback. With her back against the wall, Fabíola orchestrated an impressive attacking strategy involving Saraelen, Mari Paraíba and Jaqueline. Jaqueline’s debut was crucial, as she played crucial diagonal shots, and Campinas won the set 25-13.
The third set continued to be hotly contested, with Saraelen playing a key role for the Campinas team. Meanwhile, Céci and Luzia led Barueri’s attack, securing the set at 25-17.
In the fourth set, Jaqueline stood out as the pillar of Campinas’ defense, showing her excellent form in duels at the net against Luzia and Gabi. Jaqueline managed to score six crucial points in this decisive set, but Barueri’s efficient serving and blocking allowed them to maintain their lead. Campinas fought bravely until the final moments, but Talia and Luzia ensured Barueri’s victory and qualification for the semi-finals.