Sassá Gonzaga

Personal: Gonzaga shares her life with two dogs named Potter and Thor, showcasing her love for animals. If not for volleyball, she aspires to be a veterinarian, highlighting her compassion for animals. Her interests are diverse, ranging from reading and playing video games to engaging in beach tennis. Gonzaga is also musically inclined, enjoying playing the guitar and singing.

Other Professional Experience: Gonzaga boasts an extensive professional volleyball career that spans back to 1997. She has played for 12 different teams in Brazil and Poland, showcasing her talent and dedication to the sport. A significant portion of her career was spent with Rexona/Rio de Janeiro, where she made a lasting impact. Her accolades include being named the Most Valuable Player, Best Server, and Best Receiver at the 2004-05 Salonpas Cup. She also received the Best Receiver award at the 2005-06 Brazilian Superliga and secured Best Server honors at the 2006-07 Brazilian Superliga. Gonzaga's skill set extended to receiving the Best Digger recognition at the 2011-12 Brazilian Superliga.

International Experience: Gonzaga has proudly represented Brazil on the international stage. She was a vital member of the Gold medal-winning team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Her Olympic journey began earlier with an appearance at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Gonzaga also earned Silver medals at the 2006 and 2010 World Championships. Her international success continued with eight medals over 12 years at the World Grand Prix, including five Gold medals. She was part of the Silver medal-winning team at the 2007 Pan American Games and secured a Gold medal at the 2009 Pan American Cup. Her contributions led Brazil to Silver medals at the 2003 and 2007 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup.