Brazil: Sensation in Superliga – Itapetininga eliminate Cruzeiro from playoffs!

Vôlei UM Itapetininga achieved a sensational result in Game 2 of the 2020/21 Brazilian Volleyball Championship, as they kicked Sada Cruzeiro out of competition in playoff quarterfinals (2-0 in series) and made history by going to the semifinals of the competition for the 1st time ever!
Even though they were 8th placed in the regular season (the last place that guaranteed the playoff participation), the team from São Paulo eliminated the best team in the regular season and also the most titled Brazilian club in the 21st century. Cruzeiro started the game impeccably and got a 2-0 in sets. However, Itapetininga managed to make a turnaround and convert the 5th match ball in the tie-break: 15:25, 18:15, 25:21, 25:23, and 18:16. Renan Buiatti top-scored the new semifinalists with 25 points, 51% in attack and 2 blocks, while Adriano Xavier also contributed with 14 with 48% in attack and one ace). Itapetininga will face Minas Tênis Clube in the next step of the competition.

| Quarterfinals Game 2
| March 15
• Apan/Eleva/Blumenau (5) – Minas Tenis Clube (4) 1-3 (21:25, 16:25, 26:24, 28:30) Serie: 0-2

| March 16
• Azulim/Gabarito/Uberlandia (6) – Volei Renata Campinas (3) 2-3 (21:25, 25:19, 25:17, 23:25, 17:19) Serie: 0-2

| March 17
• Sada Cruzeiro (1) – Volei UM Itapetininga (8) 2-3 (25:15, 25:18, 21:25, 23:25, 16:18) Serie: 0-2
Top Scorers: Facundo Conte 22, Miguel Lopez 21, Isac Santos 17, Alan Souza 11, Otavio Pinto 8, Fernando Kreling “Cachopa” 1; Renan Buiatti 25, Adriano Xavier 14, Guilherme Emina “Guiga” 11, Thales Falcao 8, Johan Marengoni 7, Eduardo Carisio 3, Raphael Marcarini 1. MVP: Renan Buiatti.

| March 18
• Montes Claros America Volei (7) – EMS Taubaté Funvic (2) 3-2 (23:25, 23:25, 25:21, 27:25, 15:13) Serie: 1-1