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While the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) moves into its final stage, Türkiye’s national women’s volleyball team, Filenin Sultanlari, is once again proving its consistency, strategy, and global reach.
With a strong fourth-place standing, just one loss in the early rounds, and top players returning for decisive matches in the Netherlands, Türkiye’s squad is preparing for the final push toward qualification.
More than a sports team, the Sultanlar have come to represent a broader story of rising athletic standards, gender visibility, and national pride.
The team’s longtime captain, Eda Erdem, is not part of this summer’s VNL squad. Journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reported that she requested leave for the full summer season, which was not granted.
She is expected to rejoin the team for the World Championship from Aug. 22 to Sept. 7.
During her absence, leadership passed quietly to Simge Akoz, a respected libero with over a decade of national experience. While the Turkish Volleyball Federation has not made a formal announcement, Akoz appeared as captain at a public sponsorship event in May, effectively confirming the transition.
Her presence during this transitional period has anchored the team as it balances youth rotations with veteran strategy.
The VNL is played in three stages, and Türkiye used the first two to rotate major players and prevent fatigue. Star athletes Melissa Vargas, Zehra Gunes, Ebrar Karakurt, and Cansu Ozbay were all left out of early matches and are expected to return in the final stage in the Netherlands.
Despite these rotations, Türkiye managed to win three of four matches during the second stage in Istanbul. The team’s only loss came against Brazil, in a match that exposed the physical limits of even the most prepared athletes.
Türkiye currently ranks fourth with 19 points, behind Italy (22), Poland (21), and Brazil (20). Only the top eight teams will qualify for the final round.
Türkiye’s schedule for the third stage of the VNL is as follows:
The match against Italy is expected to be the most difficult, but it will also serve as a key measure of the team’s readiness as top players return to the lineup.
Turkish volleyball team's physical strength, international roster
Türkiye’s squad brings a rare combination of height, versatility, and international experience. Many of the team’s players are between 185 and 198 cm, including blockers, attackers, and setters. Most compete at the highest level in domestic clubs such as Vakifbank, Eczacibasi, Fenerbahce, and Galatasaray.
Turkish national team's ranking at VNL 2025 after second stage
Younger players such as Buse Berka Ozden and Yaprak Erkek are gaining more exposure as part of the wide roster used in early matches. In contrast, Vargas and Karakurt remain among the sport’s most recognizable names, especially across Europe and Latin America.
Filenin Sultanlari are not just winning matches, they are changing the public image of women in Turkish sports.
While many female athletes across Türkiye face limited resources, low visibility, or gendered scrutiny, this team has broken through. They attract major sponsorships, dominate television ratings, and generate intense engagement on social media.
Their reach is especially strong among younger women and girls, who see the team as a path toward both athletic success and public recognition. In a society where women’s roles have long been contested, the volleyball team has helped redefine athletic aspiration for an entire generation.
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