Türkiye made history in Bangkok, securing their first-ever semifinal berth at the FIVB Women's World Championship with a thrilling 3-1 win over the United States.
From the outset, Türkiye's dominance at the net set them apart. They racked up 20 block points in the match, frustrating the American offense. Captain Eda Erdem led the charge with five crucial blocks, powering Türkiye to a 25-14 win in the opening set.
The Americans pushed back in the second set, turning a 19-16 deficit into a 25-22 victory. But Türkiye responded in style, riding Ebrar Karakurt's high-octane hitting to a convincing 25-14 win in set three.
In a tense fourth set, both teams traded blows until Karakurt's match-high 23 points and Melissa Vargas' 21 lifted Türkiye over the line. A decisive block and powerful spikes sealed the 25-23 set and the 3-1 triumph.
Next up for Türkiye is a semifinal showdown with Japan on Saturday—a matchup that promises to showcase their net dominance and momentum on the world's biggest stage.
Reference(s):
Türkiye reach first-ever semis at FIVB Women's World Championship
cgtn.com
