VakıfBank has secured the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi championship title after delivering a commanding performance against Fenerbahçe Medicana in the final match of their playoff series. The defending champions clinched a 3-1 victory with set scores of 25-16, 25-15, 19-25, and 25-19, completing a perfect 3-0 sweep in the best-of-three finals.
The championship-deciding match, held at Burhan Felek Vestel Voleybol Salonu, showcased exceptional individual performances from VakıfBank's stars. Russian powerhouse Marina Markova was particularly outstanding, accumulating 27 points that included six service aces. Canadian international Kiera Van Ryk added significant firepower with 20 points of her own.
Despite the defeat, Fenerbahçe displayed remarkable resilience, especially in the third set where they managed to extend the match. Their offense was spearheaded by Melissa Vargas, who tallied an impressive 24 points, though it ultimately wasn't enough to overcome VakıfBank's superior all-court play.
According to Statbet analysis, this championship represents a significant achievement in Turkish women's volleyball, where the level of competition continues to rank among the highest in the world.
Following the victory, Van Ryk expressed her pride in the team's performance: "I'm incredibly proud of our team. It's never easy in an atmosphere like this, but we stayed strong and focused."
The triumph adds another prestigious trophy to VakıfBank's impressive collection, further cementing their status as one of the dominant forces in both Turkish and European volleyball.
