Sada Cruzeiro Contagem with their 2017 trophy at the South American Club Championship.
Lausanne, Switzerland, February 26, 2017 - Sada Cruzeiro Contagem will be there to defend their title at the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship in Poland next December, after they shut out Personal Bolivar 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-23) in the final at Montes Claros to claim the 2017 South American Club Championship title which comes with a ticket to the Club Worlds.
It was the fourth continental gold for Sada Cruzeiro, who finished this year's edition without dropping a single set. They became the first club to successfully defend their title since Banespa Sao Paulo won their fifth straight in 1992. Only Banespa and Paulistano Sao Paulo with five each have more South American Club Championship titles than Sada Cruzeiro.
Led by outside hitter Yoandy Leal, who was later named the tournament's MVP, Sada Cruzeiro edged the reigning Argentine champions in a high-scoring match that was full of aces and provided some edge-of-seat defending. Cuban-born Leal and Bolivar's Australian opposite Thomas Edgar shared top-scoring honours in the final with 15 points each.
"Winning a title is always good," said Leal after the game. "We had an excellent campaign in this tournament, we won the title and we also qualified for the Club World Championships in Poland. We are very happy, we will celebrate now and continue to work hard."
Sada Cruzeiro will be joined by reigning Asian champions Sarmayeh Bank Tehran plus the 2017 European Champions League winners and the 2017 Polish Champions at the FIVB Club World Championship in December. Four more tickets will go to the domestic league winners of two top-ranked countries and two wild cards.
Previously in Montes Claros, UPCN San Juan had defeated hosts Montes Claros Volei 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-23) for the bronze medal.
Brazilian middle blocker Gustavao with 16 points for UPCN and outside hitter Bob Devoranen of Montes Claros with 15 were the top scorers of the game.
It was the third bronze in the history of the competition for UPCN, who have won the title twice in 2013 and 2015 and have finished runners-up another three times.
Dream Team (left to right): Rodriguinho, Robertlandy Simon, Yoandy Leal, Pablo Crer, Alexis Gonzalez, William Arjona, Thomas Edgar.Final Ranking 2017:1. Sada Cruzeiro Contagem (BRA)
2. Personal Bolivar (ARG)
3. UPCN San Juan (ARG)
4. Montes Claros Volei (BRA)
5. Unilever Lima (PER)
6. Bohemios Montevideo (URU)
7. San Martin Cochabamba (BOL)
Dream Team 2017:MVP: Yoandy Leal (Sada Cruzeiro).
Outside hitters: Yoandy Leal (Sada Cruzeiro) & Rodriguinho (Sada Cruzeiro). Middle blockers: Robertlandy Simon (Sada Cruzeiro) & Pablo Crer (Bolivar). Opposite: Thomas Edgar (Bolivar). Setter: William Arjona (Sada Cruzeiro). Libero: Alexis Gonzales (Bolivar).
Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship 2017
FIVB.com - VolleyballFIVB.com
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