The 2025 Intercollegiate Volleyball Finals, Saturday (22), were marked by a lot of emotions. Huddles, last-minute saved balls and a lot of determination were some of the elements seen on the field. In total, eight matches were played, with first and third podium places decided. The competition is held by the newspaper O GLOBO, presented by Sesc-RJ and supported by Caixa.
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The first match, between the U-15 female teams from the schools Geo Doutor Sócrates and Garriga de Menezes, from Jacarepaguá, started at 9 am. The Rio Southwest Region team became champions, winning the match 2 sets to 0. With experience in two editions of the Intercolegial, setter and team captain, María Eduarda de Moraes, was one of the standout players, leading a team that was ahead on the scoreboard from start to finish. She stressed that sport helps her in moments of ups and downs because she has friends who form a support network.
-I won for the second time. It was unbelievable. I really like playing for Inter. I really love playing with my friends, even through the ups and downs, it’s really incredible. “I want to take this into my life,” he said.
In the men’s final of the same category, the students of Geo Venerando won the gold medal after also defeating the Garriga team by 2 sets to 0. In this edition, the team won its second title in this category.
Carlos Lamonica, 15, pointer and reverse, remembers that this was his third time participating in the college volleyball championships – and each time he made it to the podium: once for bronze and twice for gold.
– It’s her third time on the podium as well. It’s fun, because we wait for Inter all year. It’s the end-of-year competition, and we’re ending our journey through Geo now in Year 9 in the best way possible: as two-time champions.
The other team’s goalkeeper, Lucas Samuel, pointed out that the result was characterized by victory, as the group had to train for the competition without an official coach:
— I’m very happy, because we are without a coach. We don’t train as much, like other clubs, but we can see that without a coach or with a coach, we are just as good. I only competed last year, when we were also champions, but I wasn’t able to play as much, because there were better athletes. This year was my chance.
In the third match of the round, the dispute for third place between Gio Dotor Socrates and Gio Juan Antonio Saramanche, for the U15 men’s team, was characterized by twists, turns and balance, and the result was always close. The Saramanche students won 2-1 after falling behind in the first set.
Students of Pedro II and Luydi Santa Martha, from the women’s under-18 team, entered the field with their eyes on the top spot on the podium. After faltering in the match and trailing on the scoreboard for part of the second set, the students of the Federal School took first place. The highlight was pointer Nina Adrioli, responsible for turning over almost all the balls when activated, in a match that saw very few individual fouls.
– It was an improvement, because we won bronze in 2023, last year we got silver and we won this year. At no time did I think we were going to lose, because also based on the first set and everything we practiced, I knew we had the energy and the ability to win, and we were able to get back into the match – Nina celebrated.
Among the students under the age of 18, the schools Susano da Costa and Luz do Siber competed for the bronze medal. Luz do Saber won 2-0 without any worries.
An exciting match marked the competition between the women’s teams Luz do Sabre and Santa Teresinha from São Gonçalo for third place. Leste Fluminense won the first set, but lost production and allowed the decision to go to a tie-break. In the decisive group, with a balanced and undetermined result until the end, Luz de Siber secured victory.
Playing at home, the Colegio Apollo 12 U18 team took the field to compete for first place against Notre Dame and won in front of a crowd that cheered with every move. The match was balanced, as the first set was decided by 25 points. In the second, Apollo trailed half the group, but responded and confirmed the title.
17-year-old centre-back and captain Cua Henrique da Silva demonstrated his dedication throughout the season, through intense training and a structured routine, and claimed the gold medal.
— It’s my third year trying to join Inter, but thanks to God today we were able to do it. First, I must thank my God because without Him we would not have been able to do this. But it is also a matter that requires a lot of practice. A lot of people don’t see it, but we stay here until eight at night sometimes. From 4pm to 8pm, training every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Exhaustion, a lot of fighting too and a lot of hitting. But in the end, it’s friendship. It’s a very nice team. I am so grateful to be part of this team. I think that’s what led us to victory – he cheered.
At the conclusion of the day, Apollo 12 and Circus battled it out for third place in the women’s under-15 category, and once again the home team came out on top, winning 2 sets to 0.
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