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Larissa Franca MaestriniBorn: April 14, 1982, Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil
Enshrined: 2023 Country: Brazil Category: Female Beach Player |
BIOGRAPHY
You know someone has reached another level of success when they are recognized by only one name. The beach volleyball world is no different, especially in Brazil. Larissa is one of those individuals whose full name isn’t needed because her reputation precedes her long before she ever steps foot on the sand. She’s that special.
Larissa is the winningest woman in beach volleyball history, and throughout her astounding career, has participated in some of the most intense matches the sport has ever seen. She is a three-time Olympian, capturing bronze in London in 2012, but her greatness isn’t just the tangible accomplishments. It’s how she achieved them.
She started with indoor volleyball early, moving to the beach by her late teens. It was then Larissa began her legendary partnership with another Brazilian great, Juliana. Just a few years later in 2005, Larissa and Juliana found themselves in an unbelievable match against another legendary one-name duo of Kerri and Misty. Heading into the FIVB Corona Acapulco Open, each team had five wins on the season, and the winner of their gold-medal-match face-off would become the FIVB Team of the Year.
In what was eventually a world record for the longest professional beach volleyball match ever, the two teams battled it out for an hour and 40 minutes, including a 28-26 Brazilian win in the first set and a 42-40 second set that went to the Americans. Larissa and Juliana pulled out the decisive set 15-13 for their first-ever win over Kerri and Misty. That match still stands as one of the greatest beach volleyball matches in history.
Larissa’s resume in the sport is certainly tough to beat.
She has an Olympic bronze, five World Championship medals and two Pan American Games golds, including one earned in her native country in 2007. In addition, Larissa and Juliana were named FIVB Team of the Year and Tour Champions seven times between 2005 and 2012.
After her partnership with Juliana ended, Larissa joined up with Talita Antunes, with whom she won 16 FIVB World Tour gold medals in three and a half seasons. The team finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won bronze at the 2017 World Championships, also being named FIVB Team of the Year and Tour Champions in 2015 and 2017.
Known for her intense style of play as well as her hand-setting skills, defense and cut-shots, Larissa was named the FIVB Best Setter 10 times, including every year from 2006 to 2012. In total, she picked up an astounding 19 individual FIVB Player of the Year honors.
Larissa continues to influence the next generation of beach volleyball players, playing in the United States on the AVP Tour with her partner Lili. Her work ethic, talent and mental toughness remain the standard.
For her countless contributions to the sport and her passion and drive for sustained success, we are proud to induct Beach Player Larissa Franca Maestrini from Brazil to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Class of 2023.
Larissa is the winningest woman in beach volleyball history, and throughout her astounding career, has participated in some of the most intense matches the sport has ever seen. She is a three-time Olympian, capturing bronze in London in 2012, but her greatness isn’t just the tangible accomplishments. It’s how she achieved them.
She started with indoor volleyball early, moving to the beach by her late teens. It was then Larissa began her legendary partnership with another Brazilian great, Juliana. Just a few years later in 2005, Larissa and Juliana found themselves in an unbelievable match against another legendary one-name duo of Kerri and Misty. Heading into the FIVB Corona Acapulco Open, each team had five wins on the season, and the winner of their gold-medal-match face-off would become the FIVB Team of the Year.
In what was eventually a world record for the longest professional beach volleyball match ever, the two teams battled it out for an hour and 40 minutes, including a 28-26 Brazilian win in the first set and a 42-40 second set that went to the Americans. Larissa and Juliana pulled out the decisive set 15-13 for their first-ever win over Kerri and Misty. That match still stands as one of the greatest beach volleyball matches in history.
Larissa’s resume in the sport is certainly tough to beat.
She has an Olympic bronze, five World Championship medals and two Pan American Games golds, including one earned in her native country in 2007. In addition, Larissa and Juliana were named FIVB Team of the Year and Tour Champions seven times between 2005 and 2012.
After her partnership with Juliana ended, Larissa joined up with Talita Antunes, with whom she won 16 FIVB World Tour gold medals in three and a half seasons. The team finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won bronze at the 2017 World Championships, also being named FIVB Team of the Year and Tour Champions in 2015 and 2017.
Known for her intense style of play as well as her hand-setting skills, defense and cut-shots, Larissa was named the FIVB Best Setter 10 times, including every year from 2006 to 2012. In total, she picked up an astounding 19 individual FIVB Player of the Year honors.
Larissa continues to influence the next generation of beach volleyball players, playing in the United States on the AVP Tour with her partner Lili. Her work ethic, talent and mental toughness remain the standard.
For her countless contributions to the sport and her passion and drive for sustained success, we are proud to induct Beach Player Larissa Franca Maestrini from Brazil to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Class of 2023.
