Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team: Everything You Need to Know

The Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team, stands as a formidable force in the international volleyball arena. With a diverse blend of seasoned players and young talents, the team has crafted a legacy marked by determination, skill, and numerous accolades.

This guide explores the individual journeys and achievements of the key players who have been instrumental in shaping the team’s success and earning them a prominent spot on the global stage. From early career triumphs to championship victories, each player’s unique story adds a vibrant chapter to the illustrious journey of Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team. Read on to explore the tales of triumph, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence that characterize this exceptional team.

Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team

Elif Şahin

Born on January 19, 2001, and standing tall at 189 cm, Elif Şahin plays as a setter for Turkish volleyball. She’s currently a valuable player for the Eczacıbaşı team, where she’s been showcasing spectacular performances since the 2020-2021 season. With a history of drawing attention for her skills from a young age, Elif’s accomplished quite a bit, including helping the National Teams achieve multiple accolades.

Cansu Özbay

Another setter on the team, Cansu Özbay was born on October 17, 1996, in Izmir. She started her career with Arkas Sports Club before eventually transferring to Beşiktaş in 2014. Cansu’s been a critical part of various successful campaigns, including the 2018 FIVB Nations League and the 2019 Women’s European Championship.

Ebrar Karakurt

Ebrar Karakurt, an outstanding opposite hitter, was born on January 17, 2000. She started her volleyball journey with VakıfBank Sports Club and has since played for both Igor Gorgonzola Novara and Lokomotiv Kaliningrad. Despite her young age, Ebrar brings a ton of experience and accomplishments to the team, including a victory at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League.

Melissa Vargas

Melissa Vargas, a Cuban-born player who now plays for Turkey, took home multiple awards in the 2022-2023 volleyball season, including Best Opposite Hitter and Most Valuable Player. Born on October 16, 1999, Melissa has been making waves in international volleyball with her performances and potential.

The Impact of Melisa Vargas

Following naturalization, Melisa Vargas, originally from Cuba, became a Turkish citizen in April 2021. Vargas has since made a significant impact on the team. Her first match in the Turkish jersey was against South Korea during the FIVB Nations League’s first week, hosted in Antalya.

In the subsequent 11 matches she played, Vargas scored 227 points, including 19 serve (ace) and 14 block points. Following Vargas, Ebrar Karakurt hauled the second-highest points at 193.

Hande Baladın

A powerful wing spiker, Hande Baladın was born on September 1, 1997. Throughout her career, she has been a part of various victories at the club and national team level, such as the 2020 AXA Insurance Champions Cup triumph and the prestigious 2023 VNL Championship.

İlkin Aydın

Celebrated wing spiker, İlkin Aydın, was born on January 5, 2000, in Ankara. She emerged as an important player in Turkish volleyball while playing for Galatasaray and achieved significant success at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League.

Derya Cebecioğlu

Starting her career at just 14 with VakıfBank, Derya Cebecioğlu is also a successful wing spiker. She has a multitude of victories under her belt, including a FIVB Clubs World Championship and a Turkish League Championship, making her a valuable asset to Turkey’s team.

Each of these players brings unique strengths to the team, creating a harmonious blend of talent that fuels the Turkey Women’s Volleyball team’s success. For volleyball fans, the Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team is a source of endless excitement and inspiration.

Eda Erdem Dündar

Born on June 22, 1987, Eda Erdem Dündar is a renowned middle blocker who started her volleyball career in the Beşiktaş JK youth team on December 24, 2000. She quickly rose through the ranks, playing for the senior team in 2004 and becoming team captain during her last two seasons there.

Eda has been proudly donning the Turkey A National Team’s jersey since 2005, featuring in over 300 international games. Her unwavering dedication and leadership within both her club, Fenerbahçe, and the national team, reflect her passion and discipline. She has impressive accomplishments like the 2008-2009 Turkish Women’s Volleyball League Championship, the 2009 Super Cup Championship, and a second-place finish in the 2009-2010 CEV Champions League.

Zehra Güneş

Zehra Güneş, born on July 7, 1999, started her volleyball career at the age of 12 with VakıfBank. With her performance, she quickly made a name for herself and was part of the teams that won the Turkish championship in both the youth and junior categories. Zehra joined the VakıfBank senior team in the 2017-2018 season.

Zehra has claimed numerous victories, including two FIVB Club World Championships, two CEV Champions Leagues, and four Turkish League titles. She has also been part of notable victories at the national team level, including the U20 World fourth place, EYOF championships, U23 World Championship, and the U23 National Team World Championship.

Aslı Kalaç

Aslı Kalaç, born on December 13, 1995, started her volleyball career in the middle position in 2005. She started her journey with the 1st League team, Yeşilyurt, before transferring to Galatasaray, where she performed remarkably for seven years. In the 2022-2023 season, Aslı moved to Fenerbahçe, where she continues to shine.

Aslı has achieved significant success with Fenerbahçe, including victories in the Spor Toto Champions Cup, the Misli.com Sultans League, and the AXA Insurance Cup Volleyball second place. She has consistently performed brilliantly for both Fenerbahçe and the Turkey A National Team.

Simge Aköz

Simge Şebnem Aköz, born on April 23, 1991, in Samsun, launched her volleyball career at the age of seven. Since the 2016-2017 season, Aköz has been part of the Eczacıbaşı Dynavit team. She has contributed significantly to both club and international volleyball as a libero, earning accolades like the 2017 European Championship bronze medal and the 2018 FIVB Nations silver medal.

Gizem Örge

Gizem Örge, born on April 26, 1993, in Ankara, began her volleyball journey in 2008 with the Ankara Eczacı Volleyball Club. Her astounding performance led to her inclusion in the VakıfBank adult team in the 2015-2016 season. Gizem’s career glitters with multiple victories including 3 FIVB Club World Championships, 3 CEV European Champions Leagues, 5 Turkey Leagues, 3 Cup Voley, and 3 Champions Cup championships.

Ayça Aykaç

Born on February 27, 1996, in İzmir, Ayça Aykaç started her volleyball career in the VakıfBank youth team in 2009. Her performances earned her a spot in the VakıfBank A team in the 2015-2016 season, during which Ayça bagged numerous prestigious titles. In addition to significant achievements at the club level, Ayça has also enjoyed many successes with the national team at various age groups. Highlights include winning the 2013 Euro Youth Girls Championship and the 2014 Euro Juniors Championship, among others.

FIVB World Ranking: Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team is Number 1 in the World

Achievements of the Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team

Success under Santarelli

Italian coach Daniele Santarelli took over the Turkey Women’s National Volleyball Team on December 27, 2022. In his first tournament at the helm, the FIVB Nations League held in Antalya between May 31 and June 4, Santarelli led the team to an inspiring victory. Starting strongly, the team won nine of the first twelve matches under Santarelli, securing their spot in the finals.

In the quarterfinals, the Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team defeated the reigning champions Italy 3-0, followed by a 3-1 win against the host country, the USA, which has won the tournament thrice. The Turks sealed their championship with a 3-1 final victory against China. This was not only the first championship under Santarelli but also his personal first gold medal in the FIVB Nations League.

Santarelli has previously had success with other national teams, winning two silver medals at the European League with Croatia, a bronze medal at the FIVB Women’s Nations League with Serbia, and a gold medal at the 2022 FIVB Women’s World Championship.

Celebrating First-Time Medalist

Of the athletes who competed for the national team in the 2021 FIVB Nations League, ten had previously experienced the thrill of winning a medal. These included Cansu Özbay, Saliha Şahin, Eda Erdem Dündar, Zehra Güneş, Simge Aköz, Ebrar Karakurt, Gizem Örge, Aslı Kalaç, Ayça Aykaç, and Hande Baladın.

This year, newcomer to the team Melisa Vargas, along with Derya Cebecioğlu, İlkin Aydın, and Elif Şahin, joined the ranks of medal winners for the first time.

Summary

Turkey Women’s Volleyball Team, have earned a reputation as a global powerhouse in the sport, boasting a rich blend of experienced and emerging talents. This article provides an in-depth look at the key players responsible for the team’s remarkable achievements and international acclaim. Through exploring their individual journeys, early victories, and significant contributions, readers will gain insight into the collective success and continued excellence of this remarkable team.