With a title in Women's and a runner-up in Men's volleyball conquered the debut stage of the State Volleyball Championship of the under-19 category, over the weekend (29th-31st) in Carambeí, Campos Gerais region, the teams of Toledo City Hall were very close to a spot in the final round of competition, still with a qualifying stage to go, which is scheduled to take place in Toledo in August 21st-23rd.
The team coached by Reinaldo Bento won the three games of the stage, without being threatened by any opponent, beating them in 3 sets to 0. The victories were over Astorga (25/5-25/13-25/12), Ponta Grossa (25/13-25/19-25/14) and Castro (25/19-25/19-25/14).
The coach credited the performance to the strong group and the good phase of preparation, which showed a focused team during the training. "We could keep a good level of play, served well and pressed the opponents at the right times to win all three games," said the coach, who used all players in the competition.
The Men's team had only one defeat for São Miguel do Iguaçu (25/19-16/25-21/25-25/17-11/15) and three victories over Palotina for 3 sets to 1 (25/13-26/28-25/19-25/16), Cascavel for the same score (25/17-23/25-25/22-25/23), and Ibiporã for 3 sets to 0 (25/8-25/13-25/13).
Coach Marcos Assunção and assistant Andre Van De Sand said the result was excellent and that the team is likely to win the spot in the finals playing at home. "The group was good and showed rapport, and I believe that with just a few tweaks we will be fully able to ensure that spot at home," Coach Marcos Assunção said.
In the second stage of the State Championship, the two teams of Toledo will play in different groups. Two teams will come from each group, and then they compete in the finals at a place and date to be defined by Paraná Volleyball Federation (FPV), which organizes the competition.
The Volleyball of Toledo benefits from funds acquired through the Sports Incentive Law of the Ministry of Sports/Federal Government, developed by Toledo Volleyball Association (Avotol) in partnership with the Department of Sports and Leisure and Toledo City Hall, and the sponsorship of Prati-Donaduzzi, Copel, Rede Stop de Postos, Agrícola Dall'Oglio and Primato Supermercados.