Itambé Minas clinches the 2026 Minas Gerais Men's Volleyball Championship with a straight-set victory at Mineirinho.
The long wait is officially over for Itambé Minas, as the team secured the 2026 Minas Gerais Men's Volleyball Championship title on Sunday, October 11. Playing at the Ginásio do Mineirinho in Belo Horizonte, the squad delivered a dominant performance against Praia Clube, winning the final match by 3 sets to 0, with partial scores of 25-21, 25-21, and 25-19.
This decisive victory marks the end of a lengthy title drought for the club, whose last state championship success came back in 2007. Since that victory, the traditional project reached every subsequent final, accumulating 18 consecutive runner-up finishes before finally breaking the streak under the guidance of head coach Peu Uehara, according to information published by WEBVOLEI.
For Praia Clube, led by coach Fabiano Magoo, reaching the final still represented a historic milestone, as the club from Uberlândia captured its very first silver medal in the men's state tournament. The showdown brought together top-tier talent from Brazilian volleyball, delivering high-stakes drama across three intense sets.
How Minas Built Momentum in the First Set
The opening set began with Minas establishing an early advantage, capitalizing on strong serving rotations. Praia Clube quickly responded by adjusting their block to neutralize outside hitter Lucarelli.
As the set reached its final stretch, the Minastenista blocking defense stepped up significantly. They successfully stopped opposite hitter Franco, securing the opening 25-21 victory for the eventual champions.
Praia Clube Struggles After Early Leads
Praia started the second set aggressively, jumping out to a 5-1 lead by successfully containing opposite Bryan. Lucas Loh also contributed efficient attacking plays to help sustain the temporary advantage for Uberlândia.
However, midway through the partial, Franco began experiencing back discomfort. The team from Uberlândia started committing numerous unforced errors in the final third, allowing Minas to mount a comeback and repeat the 25-21 scoreline.
Closing Out the Championship Match
Facing extreme pressure, Fabiano Magoo squad once again started strong in the third set, surging to a 7-3 lead. Yet, the match script repeated itself as the advantage evaporated by the 9-9 tie.
A powerful serving sequence from Bryan allowed Minas to pull ahead permanently. Despite several tactical substitutions by Praia, the team managed by Peu Uehara maintained control and celebrated the championship title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Minas Gerais Men's Volleyball Championship?
Itambé Minas won the 2026 state championship by defeating Praia Clube 3 sets to 0 at the Ginásio do Mineirinho in Belo Horizonte.
When was the last time Minas won the state volleyball title?
Before this victory, the last time Minas Tênis Clube won the Minas Gerais state tournament was in 2007, enduring 18 consecutive runner-up finishes since then.
What were the set scores in the final match between Minas and Praia Clube?
Itambé Minas secured the state title with straight-set partial scores of 25-21, 25-21, and 25-19 against Praia Clube.
Who are the head coaches of Minas and Praia Clube?
Itambé Minas is coached by Peu Uehara, while Praia Clube is managed by head coach Fabiano Magoo.
