Turkish women’s volleyball team enters semifinals, Paris 2024

The Turkish Women’s Volleyball Team secured a historic victory against China in a thrilling match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, advancing to the semifinals for the first time in their history.

The intense quarterfinal match ended with a 3-2 win for Türkiye, demonstrating their determination and skill.

Notable performances during Türkiye vs. China volleyball match:

• Melissa Vargas led the team with 42 points, finishing 38 of 71 attacks with a 39.44% success rate. She also contributed 2 blocks and 2 aces.
• Meliha Diken achieved a 75.00% success rate with 6 points from 8 attacks, along with 1 block and 1 ace.
• Gizem Orge and Cansu Ozbay did not participate in the match.

China’s performance:

• Zhu Ting was China’s standout player with 19 points, converting 15 of 40 attacks for a 27.50% efficiency rate.
• Yuan Xinyue scored 11 points, with a 53.85% success rate from 13 attacks. She also had 4 blocks and no aces.
• Li Yingying contributed 25 points, successfully converting 19 of 44 attacks with a 29.55% efficiency rate.

Match details:

• First Set: Türkiye 23 – 25 China
• Second Set: Türkiye 25- 21 China
• Third Set: Türkiye 26 – 24 China
• Fourth Set: Türkiye 21- 25 China, Despite closing a significant gap, Türkiye lost the set to China.
• Final Set: Türkiye 15 – 12 China

Total points:

• China: 107
• Türkiye: 110

Match duration:

• 2 hours and 6 minutes
  • Set 1: 25 minutes
  • Set 2: 26 minutes
  • Set 3: 30 minutes
  • Set 4: 25 minutes
  • Set 5: 20 minutes

China started strong, taking an early lead of 4-1. However, Türkiye quickly leveled the score at 4-4 through crucial plays by Hande Baladin, Melissa Vargas, and Eda Erdem Dundar. The set remained tight, with both teams exchanging points until China pulled ahead to win the first set 25-23.

Türkiye dominated the second set, starting with a 4-1 lead and forcing China’s head coach Bin Cai to call a timeout. Maintaining their momentum, Türkiye extended their lead to 10-5 and later 20-13. Despite a late surge from China, reducing the gap to 21-22, Türkiye held on to win the set 25-21, tying the match.

The third set saw both teams neck and neck at 5-5. Türkiye pulled ahead during Melissa Vargas’s serve, establishing a 9-5 lead. They managed to keep this advantage, although China fought back to 24-24. Critical points from Vargas and Ebrar Karakurt gave Türkiye the set 26-24, putting them ahead 2-1.

China responded fiercely in the fourth set, achieving a significant 8-2 lead. They extended this to 14-5, and although Türkiye narrowed the gap to 19-16, China won the set 25-21, evening the match at 2-2.

In the decisive fifth set, both teams started evenly. Türkiye edged ahead 8-7 at the midpoint and continued to battle fiercely. Ultimately, Türkiye triumphed 15-12, clinching the match and a place in the semifinals.

Melissa Vargas stood out, scoring an impressive 42 points. This follows her remarkable 41-point performance in the CEV European Championship final against Serbia. Unfortunately, setter Cansu Ozbay could not continue due to injury, while Gizem Orge and Hande Baladin played despite injuries.

Prominent figures including Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas watched the game live. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also congratulated the team on social media.

Türkiye, who finished 9th in London 2012 and exited in the quarterfinals in Tokyo 2020, will face the winner of the Italy-Serbia match on August 8th in the semifinals. This marks a significant milestone in their Olympic journey.

“The team’s performance has been incredible,” stated Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak. “We are proud of what they have achieved and look forward to seeing them in the semifinals.”

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu added, “The spirit and resilience of the team is inspiring. They have made all of Türkiye proud.”