Sesc RJ Flamengo Defeats Fluminense to Win 21st Carioca Championship

Sesc RJ Flamengo underlined its dominance of Rio de Janeiro state volleyball over the past two decades, capturing the Carioca Championship for the 21st time in the club's history. On Tuesday (13th October), the Rubro-Negro side put on a commanding performance against Fluminense, winning the classic 3-0 in straight sets with scores of 25-18, 25-21 and 25-23 at Hebraica, securing a second title early in the 2026/2027 season following their Copa SuperVôlei triumph in September.

Since relocating from Curitiba to Rio de Janeiro in 2004, Bernardinho's project has contested 23 editions of the Carioca Championship, failing to be crowned champions in just two of them. This victory also carried a note of redemption, given that Fluminense had claimed a 3-1 victory in Saturday's group stage encounter at Tijuca.

Driven by the brilliance of outside hitter Simone Lee, the competition's leading scorer with 20 points and named MVP of the Carioca Championship, Sesc RJ Flamengo orchestrated a balanced team performance. With setter Giovana and outside hitter Mikaela among the starters, the squad displayed offensive power, superior court control and efficiency at the net. The team recorded 13 blocking points compared to just five for Fluminense, with middle blocker Lorena alone accounting for five.

"I'm very happy with this achievement and that we displayed our best volleyball. It's never easy coming after everyone else. So it was fantastic to finish this first phase of the season with two titles. This group has so much energy and is special. The younger players make us feel young alongside them. We dance, we sing and we work intensely. It's a wonderful environment to work in", said Simone Lee, one of the last to join the squad after representing the United States national team.

Sesc RJ Flamengo also claimed the Carioca Championship in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Bernardinho's side opened this Carioca Championship edition with a 3-0 victory over Tijuca Tênis Clube on Tuesday (6th October), also in straight sets. On Saturday (10th October), the Rubro-Negro lost 3-1 to Fluminense in the group stage match that determined home advantage in the final.

The celebration will be brief for the champions, as focus now turns to the Superliga Feminina debut on Monday (19th October) against Paulistano Barueri at 21:00 at Tijuca Tênis Clube.

Sesc RJ Flamengo squad for 2026/2027 season

Setters: Giovana and Vívian

Opposites: Jaque Schmitz and Tainara

Outside hitters: Ariele, Karina, Mikaela and Simone Lee

Middle blockers: Bia Paranhos, Juju, Lorena and Minja Osmajić

Liberos: Laís and Victoria

Note: Middle blocker Nayla and outside hitter Gi Perrota, academy players from Flamengo's ranks, were part of the Sesc RJ Flamengo squad for the Carioca Championship

Sesc RJ Flamengo results from the 2026 Carioca Championship

6th October (Tuesday) - Tijuca Tênis Clube 0 x 3 Sesc RJ Flamengo - Tijuca Tênis Clube

10th October (Saturday), 19:30 - Sesc RJ Flamengo 1 x 3 Fluminense - Tijuca Tênis Clube

13th October (Tuesday), 18:30 - Fluminense 0 x 3 Sesc RJ Flamengo - Hebraica