With a host of new additions, Sesc RJ Flamengo has begun work on the 2024/2025 season. This Monday (June 03.06), Brazil's greatest volleyball champion returned to the Army Physical Education School (EsEFEx) in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone, with seven new faces and eight remaining from the last Superliga. The goal remains the same: to bring hard work and dedication to the court to try to remain among the country's top forces.

Even without coach Bernardinho, setter Brie, and outside hitter Helena, who are competing in the Nations League, the group showed plenty of energy. For now, the athletes will undergo physical and medical evaluations. Ball training is scheduled for next week.

"It's a much-changed squad compared to last season, but we believe we've assembled a young group with interesting potential, so we can continue our work and reach the highest possible position. We've come close in recent seasons, finishing in the Superliga semifinals, but we have all the conditions to do a good job and return, who knows, to a final," said Helio Griner, Bernardinho's assistant and coach of Sesc RJ Flamengo in the two-time Olympic champion's absence.

Realization of a dream

One of the new additions is 28-year-old opposite hitter Edinara, who joined from Sesi Bauru. A 2018 Grand Prix champion with the Brazilian national team, the Santa Catarina native has experience with major Brazilian teams. After more than a decade, she will fulfill a long-held goal of working alongside Bernardinho and his coaching staff.

"It's a dream come true. In 2012, when I met Bernardo in person for the first time in Saquarema, while still with the youth teams, he told me: 'I want to work with you one day.' Since then, I've been very excited. It still doesn't seem true that I made it. I came here with the goal of becoming a better athlete than when I arrived. I want to improve in every aspect, both offensively and defensively," said Edinara.

In the same position, Sesc RJ Flamengo will count on the tenacity of 24-year-old Camila Mesquita, the 2020/2021 Superliga champion with Minas. After a season with Barueri, the São Paulo native says she's ready to take on the responsibility of defending the jersey of the country's biggest winner.

"I really wanted to be here and train with Bernardo, who is a volleyball genius, and with the entire structure of Sesc RJ Flamengo. Living in Rio de Janeiro is a completely different experience from the many I've had, but I identify with the way they work. It's a team that trains hard, where the demand for results is high. I, personally, like this pressure, because I think it helps us get where we want to go," said Camila Mesquita.

Another name that will bring experience and quality to Sesc RJ Flamengo is 24-year-old, 1,90'XNUMX" center Lorena. A former Praia Clube player, the Mato Grosso do Sul native has recently played for the Brazilian national team and arrives eager to learn from her new teammates.

"I was ecstatic to be invited to play for Sesc RJ Flamengo. The team is a benchmark in Brazilian volleyball and a place where many of my role models have played, like Juciely. I hope to meet and exceed my expectations and those of the group. I believe I can add to the experience I've gained over the past few years and learn even more. I have huge expectations because I'm really eager to work," said Lorena.

In the same position, Sesc RJ Flamengo will count on the youth of Juju and Adria for another season. Furthermore, the arrival of 27-year-old Jussara, who was at Maringá, will offer more options in the sector. The Minas Gerais native smiled as she spoke about this special opportunity in her career.

"I remember the Sesc RJ Flamengo team coming in for a training session before playing at the Maringá gym. I thought, 'Wow, will I ever get there? Will it ever work out?' And it did! The feeling I have today is one of total gratitude. I didn't believe I would ever be here. I have great hope that I will improve my playing rhythm and blocking movement, as well as adding strength and speed to my attack," says Jussara.

Among the outside hitters, Sesc RJ Flamengo will also have new players. In addition to Michelle's experience and Helena's youth, Bernardinho will have Karina, 25, formerly of Sesi Bauru, and Mikaela, just 16, who was at Tijuca Tênis Clube.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play for Sesc RJ Flamengo and work with Bernardo and his coaching staff. I've always seen this team as very different from others. I think it's a very harmonious group, and I want to contribute a lot, improve, and help the team. I want to transform myself as an athlete and as a person," said Karina.

In addition, the young Victoria, 20 years old, trained in the youth ranks of Flamengo, joins the carioca Laís among the liberos of Sesc RJ Flamengo.

Check out the Sesc RJ Flamengo squad for the 2024/2025 season

Setters: Brie, Rose and Clara
Outside hitters: Michelle, Helena, Karina and Mikaela
Opposites: Edinara and Camila Mesquita
Central: Juju, Lorena, Adria and Jussara
Liberos: Lais and Victoria