The Turkish Women's National Volleyball Team begins the third and final stage of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Japan. The Crescent-Stars will face their first test against Poland at the Asue Arena in Osaka, in the Kansai region.
Under head coach Daniele Santarelli, Turkey sits in 6th place after the second week with 6 wins, 2 losses, and 15 points. The national team, which will fight for a finals spot in the third stage, will aim to finish among the top 7 teams if China, which is guaranteed a finals berth as the host, finishes outside the top 8 in the standings.
Turkey has won 4 of its 6 matches against Poland in VNL history. The Crescent-Stars also won their last match against the opponent in the competition last year with a 3-2 score.
The national team will face the USA, Japan, and Thailand in addition to Poland in the third stage.
Third stage roster
- Setter: Cansu Özbay, Dilay Özdemir, Elif Şahin
- Opposite hitter: Defne Başyolcu, Melissa Vargas
- Outside hitter: Hande Baladın, İlkin Aydın, Saliha Şahin, Yaprak Erkek
- Middle blocker: Berka Buse Özden, Deniz Uyanık, Sinead Jack Kısal, Zehra Güneş
- Libero: Eylül Akarçeşme Yatgın, Gizem Örge
Match schedule (TSI)
- July 9: 06:00 Turkey-Poland
- July 10: 07:00 USA-Turkey
- July 11: 13:20 Japan-Turkey
- July 12: 09:30 Thailand-Turkey