Brazil's players have a busy year ahead, including the defence of the World Grand Prix
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 5, 2015 – Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes has named a 33-player training squad as his team begin preparations for the forthcoming 2015 season.
The Olympic champions have a busy year ahead with the defence of their FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix from July 3 until August 1 the major prize on offer. A number of Brazil’s leading players will also be competing in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Zurich from May 6-10.
The most notable inclusion is the 28-year-old spiker Mariana Andrade Costa, better known as Maria Paraiba, who was named in a Brazil squad for the first time after impressing for Camponesa Minas.
“Mari is an interesting player, with a very characteristic style of play, different to most people who play in her position,” Guimaraes said. “Despite her being aged 28, she is a player who can definitely help us in the future.”
After an initial training camp Brazil’s preparations will rise in intensity with home friendly matches against Japan from June 10-18. They will also compete in the Pan-American Games in Toronto from July 16-26 and then face Bulgaria, Germany and the Netherlands in Rio de Janeiro.
In September Guimaraes’ team travel to Netherlands for another series of friendlies and then they will compete aim to add another South American title to their name in Columbia from September 24 to October 2.
Brazil training squad
Setters
Ana Tiemi Takagui (Ana Tiemi)
Danielle Rodrigues Lins (Dani Lins)
Josefa Fabíola Almeida de Souza (Fabíola)
Juma Fernandes da Silva (Juma)
Macris Fernanda Silva Carneiro (Macris)
Roberta da Silva Ratzke (Roberta)
Opposites
Ana Paula Borgo Bedani da Cruz (Paula)
Ivna Franco Marra (Ivna)
Joyce Gomes da Silva (Joycinha)
Jéssica Aparecida dos Santos Silva (Jéssica)
Monique Pavao (Monique)
Centres
Adenízia Ferreira da Silva (Adenízia)
Ana Carolina da Silva (Carol)
Angélica Malinverno (Angélica)
Bárbara Louise Bruch (Bárbara)
Francynne Aparecida Jacintho (Fran)
Juciely Cristina Silva Barreto (Juciely)
Letícia Hage (Letícia Hage)
Mayhara Francini da Silva (Mayara)
Mara Ferreira Leao (Mara)
Thaisa Daher de Menezes (Thaisa)
Spikers
Ellen Vilas Boas Braga (Ellen)
Fernanda Garay Rodrigues (Fê Garay)
Gabriela Braga Guimarães (Gabi)
Jaqueline Carvalho Endres (Jaqueline)
Mariana Andrade Costa (Mari Paraíba)
Michelle Pavao (Michelle)
Natália Zilio Pereira (Natália)
Rosamaria Montibeller (Rosamaria)
Suelle do Prado Oliveira (Suelle)
Líberos
Camila de Paula Brait (Camila Brait)
Léia Henrique da Silva (Léia)
Wélissa Gonzaga (Sassá)