VakıfBank is the champion of the Vodafone Sultans League! The yellow-blacks, who defeated Fenerbahçe 3-1 in the 3rd match of the play-off final series, won the series 3-0 and declared their 14th championship in the league. VakıfBank Sports Club President Abdi Serdar Üstünsalih said, “This success is not only the result of our struggle on the court, but also of our disciplined work and professional approach that we have been continuing for years.”
VakıfBank became the champion of the Vodafone Sultans League for the 14th time by passing Fenerbahçe Medicana in the final series! The yellow-blacks, who won the away match with a score of 3-1, won the series 3-0 and reached the cup. Marina Markova scored 24 points and Kiera Van Ryk scored 21 points for VakıfBank.
After being 2-0 in the first set, VakıfBank achieved a 7-0 series with effective attacks through Cansu Özbay's service round, bringing the score to 7-2. Kiera Van Ryk stood out with 7 points in VakıfBank, where 6 players scored. The yellow-blacks won the 24-minute set 25-16 and took the lead in the match. Making an effective start in both defense and offense in the 2nd set, VakıfBank increased the difference to double digits at 18-8. The yellow-blacks, who won the set in which Kiera Van Ryk scored 9 points with 25-15, bringing the score to 2-0. The 3rd set went to Fenerbahçe with 25-19. VakıfBank, who won the 4th and last set 25-19, ended the match 3-1 and the final series 3-0, reaching its 14th championship in the Sultans League.
Abdi Serdar Üstünsalih: We are proud to have a team that best reflects the VakıfBank spirit on the field”
VakıfBank General Manager and VakıfBank Sports Club President Abdi Serdar Üstünsalih made the following statement after the championship: “Our club, which is the natural favorite in every field it competes in, once again showed great will power, determination and struggle and managed to bring the Sultans League Cup to our museum for the 14th time. This success is not only the result of our struggle on the court, but also our disciplined work and professional approach that have been going on for years.
I wholeheartedly congratulate our managers and everyone who has worked hard for our club, especially our technical team and players. I would also like to thank our fans who supported us in the stands or in front of the screen throughout the season. I wholeheartedly congratulate our players who fought for every point on the court with faith and did not give up; our technical team who guided them at every moment and our fans who never left us alone.
At the same time, I congratulate all the teams we competed with in the league throughout the season, especially our valuable opponent in the final, Fenerbahçe Medicana, and all the stakeholders of the volleyball community. I am also very pleased to see that the quality of our league increases every year.”
Stating that they are rightfully proud of having a team that best reflects the spirit of VakıfBank, Üstünsalih noted that beyond being a sports club, they are a big family that leaves its mark on volleyball history with its successes and always aims for the better.
“VakıfBank’s goal is always to be at the top,” said Üstünsalih. He continued: “Although we have achieved the league championship, which is one of our goals this season, we still have the Champions League goal ahead of us. We want to bring another European Championship title to our country after the Final Four, which we will play in Istanbul next weekend. We believe that we will achieve this goal with the support of our fans, the belief of our team and the vision of our club.”
FENERBAHÇE MEDICANA – VAKIFBANK: 1-3
VENUE: Burhan Felek Vestel Volleyball Hall
REFEREES: Erdal Akıncı, Uğur Ateş
FENERBAHÇE MEDICANA: Bojana Drca, Arina Fedorovtseva 11, Aslı Kalaç 6, Melissa Vargas 17, Ana Cristina 15, Eda Erdem Dündar 5, Gizem Örge (L), Magdalena Stysiak 2, Meliha Diken 1, Arelya Karasoy 3
VAKIFBANK: Yuan Xinyue 4, Cansu Özbay 5, Marina Markova 24, Zehra Güneş 6, Kiera Van Ryk 21, Derya Cebecioğlu 10, Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Aylin Sarıoğlu Acar (L)
SETS: 16-25, 15-25, 25-19, 19-25
SET DURATIONS: 24’, 25’, 29’, 28’
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