SÃO PAULO, Brazil – The Georgia Tech volleyball team defeated Sesi, 3-1, and Bradesco, one of the top teams in Brazil, 3-1, on Monday evening in Sᾶo Paulo.
“I think in the first set against Bradesco we struggled with our serve receive, but we were able to move past that first game,” head coach Michelle Collier said. “This match was by far the biggest challenge we’ve had on this trip. It’s a great project that they have here. They’re really generating a lot of good young talent in Brazil. They’re the best at what they do.
“Once we calmed our nerves and played the volleyball that we know how to play we beat a good team. For our team it was a good moment and they enjoyed the challenge. It’s been a great day for us.”
The Jackets dropped the first set to Bradesco, 25-16, before winning the next three sets. Bradesco got out to an 8-4 lead and kept the gas pedal to the floor winning the first set, 25-16. The Jackets found their rhythm in set two, turning an 8-6 lead into a 14-9 advantage. Tech took the second set, 25-15.
Set three was a back and forth battle that saw ties at 11-11, and again at 19-19 as the Jackets worked back from a 15-12 deficit. Tech took the lead 20-19 on a block by Sydney Wilson and Gabriela Stavnetchei, and remained ahead for the game, winning 25-23.
The fourth set went in similar fashion as the third. The score was tied 15-15, 19-19, 20-20, and 21-21. Solo blocks from Lauren Pitz and Stavenetchei put Tech in front 23-21. The Jackets finished it out to win 25-23.
Earlier in the day, the Jackets defeated Sesi, 3-1, before the teams played out the fifth set. Georgia Tech won set one, 25-14, fell in set two, 25-21, and won sets three and four, 25-21 and 25-19, respectively. The Jackets fell in set five, 15-12.
The Jackets jumped out to a 7-0 lead behind the serving of Gabby Benda. Tech widened the gap 10-5 then 19-12, before the Jackets put it away 25-14 capped off by a solo block from Sydney Wilson.
Sesi made the adjustments and took a 7-0 lead early in set two. The Jackets overcame an eight-point deficit to tie the game 21-21, but ultimately fell 25-21.
In set three, the Jackets gained the lead 7-5 and never looked back, winning the set, 25-21,on a cross court kill by Teegan Van Gunst.
Georgia Tech took an 8-3 and made it a 13-3 advantage thanks to the aggressive serving by Rebecca Martin. The Jackets captured the set 25-19.
The teams played the fifth set anyway, and Sesi led 8-7 at the switch and won the set 15-12.
