^{“At home”, men's team debuted with victory. Photo: Jessica Dona}

The women's and men's volleyball teams from the Toledo City Hall / Avotol / Prati-Donaduzzi made their debut in the 'A' division of the 62nd edition of Open Games of Paraná (JAPs), on Tuesday (15), at Hugo sports gym. Zeni in Toledo. It is the eighth time the municipality has hosted the games.

The men's team faced Pato Branco and won by 3 sets to 1. The women´s team played against Foz do Iguaçu, but they failed to win. The match ended in 3 sets at 1.

The volleyball games continues until Sunday (20) when the winners will be known.

Toledo volleyball athletes compete in competitions with the purple T-shirt, bearing the name Prati-Donaduzzi, which is currently considered the industry that produces the most generic drugs in Brazil*. The pharmaceutical company has supported the “Mais Vôlei” Project of Toledo since 2015 through the Sports Incentive Law.

“This project assists from children, through sports schools, to young people and adults that are part of the high performance categories. Seeing the athletes taking part in championships, and now competing in a high level competition, makes us proud and shows a job that has been working”, said Prati-Donaduzzi marketing manager, Lucas Angnes, who accompanied the teams' debut in JAPs.

^{Women's team started the match well, but they failed to win. Photo: Jessica Dona}

Preparation

More than 20 members of the men's and women's teams of the Toledo City Hall/Avotol/Prati-Donaduzzi teams have been preparing throughout the year to participate in JAPs.

“We participated in several important championships to prepare the athletes, which helped us a lot to reach the JAPS. This competition has a high level and our goal is to be in the top four”, explained the coach of the women's team, Marcos Assunção.

 As an example of this preparation, the men's team, led by the coach André Van de Sand, recently participated in the series A adult championship and finished the competition in 5th place. While the women´s team played the Super Cup in Toledo in late June and was the runner-up.

JAPs

JAPS is a promotion of the Government of the State of Paraná, through the Secretariat of Sports and Education. In addition to volleyball, 19 other sports will be played. More than 4,000 athletes from 73 municipalities are in Toledo to participate in the competition.

During the competitions, the athletes will be housed in municipal and state schools. Most of them will have their meals in a prepared space at the Ismael Sperafico Convention and Events Center.

"JAPS are considered a competition of excellence in the sport of Paraná because it only involves athletes of the adult and high performance category", added the games director, Cristiano Barros.

^{Men´s team won Telêmaco Borba by 3 sets to 1. Photo: Jessica Dona}

Volleyball Competitions Schedule

Volleyball matches are being held at Hugo Zeni Gymnasium, located in Vila Industrial. On Wednesday (16), the men's team will play against Telêmaco Borba at 9:00pm. On Thursday (17), both teams have games. The women´s team plays against Ponta Grossa at 7:30pm and the men´s team plays against Maringá at 9:00pm.

With the results, the quarterfinals of the modality are scheduled for Friday (18); the semifinals on (19) and the finals on Sunday (20) in the morning.

*IQVIA MAT AGO/2019 PMB + NRC Doses Terapêuticas