Behind Melissa Vargas, Turkey surged past crowd favorite Japan in the semifinals of 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship.
Since the team's first appearance in 2006, Turkey had never made it to the championship round of the FIVB Women’s World Championship.
Until now.
Melissa Vargas led from front as Tukey shrugged off an opening-set stumble to deny Japan, 16-25, 25-17, 25-18, 27-25, in the semifinals on Saturday, September 6.
The 25-year-old star hitter uncorked 28 points for her second straight 20-point game, helping Turkey reach the 2025 FIVB Women's World Championship Finals, a first in the country's history.
Team captain Eda Erdem Dündar chipped in another 13 markers, while Zehra Gunes added 12 points to backstop Vargas.
Trailing 24-21 in the fourth set, Turkey showed nerves of steel after racking up three straight points to force a deuce.
After both teams exchanged points, Ebrar Karakurt connected on a crucial kill to put the Turks on their second match point.
A Yoshino Sato unforced error sealed Turkey’s entry to the Finals, which also guarantees the country's first-ever medal.
The victory gave the reigning European champions a measure of revenge after losing to Japan in their recent encounter at the 2025 VNL quarterfinals last July.
Meanwhile, Yukiko Wada topscored for Japan with 22 points, while Mayu Ishikawa contributed 19 markers in a loss.
Hinotori Nippon will still have a chance to redeem their campaign in the bronze medal game tomorrow, Sept. 7, against the loser of the Brazil-Italy duel.