Turkiye are the women's Volleyball Nations League champions for the second time after battling back from a set down to defeat Brazil 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-21) in Sunday's final in Macao.
Melissa Vargas was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after an extraordinary individual performance. The Turkish opposite scored 33 points — the most ever by any player in a VNL final match, male or female. She delivered 27 kills at a 51% success rate, added three aces and three blocks, and was the decisive factor throughout.
Brazil, chasing their first VNL gold medal after four previous silver finishes, started strongly. Outside hitter Ana Cristina fired Brazil to an early lead as the South Americans took the opening set 25-23, with substitute opposite Kisy Nascimento landing the set-winning point.
The momentum shifted in the second set as Vargas took control. The set went point for point until outside Hande Baladin's block pushed Turkiye to set point, and Vargas sealed it 25-23. The third set proved even tighter, extending beyond the regulation 25-point mark. Vargas poured in 11 points in the set alone, and Turkiye eventually closed it 26-24 on an Ana Cristina attack that sailed wide.
Brazil mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth, erasing a six-point deficit (13-7) to take a 19-18 lead behind Ana Cristina's serving run. But Vargas and the Turkish side regained control, and setter Elif Sahin's clever dink made it 25-21 to close out the match.
Turkiye's cleaner play proved decisive — they committed 12 unforced errors to Brazil's 17 and edged the blocking battle 14-13. Hande Baladin contributed 19 points and Ilkin Aydin added 15 for the winners. Ana Cristina led Brazil with 25 points, supported by Rosamaria Montibeller (19), Julia Bergmann (15) and Luzia da Silva Nezzo (11).
"The fight was incredible," said Turkish captain and libero Gizem Orge, fighting back tears after the match. "I am so proud of everyone who put in efforts for this team."
Earlier in the day, Italy claimed the bronze medal by defeating China in the third-place match.
Sources
- https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/news/turkiye-triumph-as-vnl-champions-for-second-time-in-history
