Turkiye will mark its first semifinal appearance in the FIVB Women's World Championship after firing past Team USA in their knockout quarterfinal battle.
Turkiye will play in its first-ever FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship semifinals after overpowering Team USA in its knockout quarterfinal battle, 25-14, 22-25, 25-14, 25-23, at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday night, September 4.
The world No. 5 quickly recovered from a second-set defeat—their first set loss in the tournament—as they powered past the Americans in the succeeding frames.
Tied at 18-all in the fourth set, Turkiye leaned on its superstar duo of Ebrar Karakurt and Melissa Vargas, who combined for a 4-2 run to seize a crucial two-point cushion.
Team USA, however, refused to fold, with Sarah Franklin pulling her side within striking distance at 22-23.
But in the end, Vargas rose to the occasion once more, drilling the team’s final two points to ice the match and punch Turkiye's ticket to the semifinals.
Karakurt finished with a game-high 23 points, while Vargas added 20 points.
Four Americans finished in double-digit scoring, led by Frankin with 12. Avery Skinner, Dana Rettke, and Stephanie Samedy all had 11 markers in the loss.
Up next for Turkiye will be world No. 4 Japan, who are coming off a five-set thriller against the Netherlands, in the semifinals on Saturday, September 6.