VakifBank started the year strong, sweeping Galatasaray 3-0 in the Turkish Women’s Volleyball Championship – Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi. With set scores of 25-20, 25-16, and 25-14, they left no doubt about their form.
Blocking was a game-changer, with VakifBank scoring nine points in this area compared to Galatasaray’s two. Russian outside hitter Marina Markova led the charge with 19 points, including a 61% success rate in attacks. Teammates Derya Cebecioglu and Kiera Van Ryk also hit double digits, adding 11 and 10 points respectively.
For Galatasaray, Ilkin Aydın stood out with 10 points, but the team struggled to keep up, particularly in converting opportunities.
VakifBank delivered an excellent and convincing performance, while the coaching change at Galatasaray continues to visibly disrupt the team. The arrival of the new coach, Alberto Bigarelli, who has limited experience managing teams at this level (having briefly coached Bergamo following a similar coaching change at the end of the season), presents a significant challenge for both the management and the coach himself.
Managing a team like Galatasaray requires time for adjustments, and Bigarelli will undoubtedly need time to organize things. However, facing a formidable opponent like VakifBank is hardly an easy way to ease into the season.
It remains to be seen whether the club’s leadership will show patience with the new coach or demand immediate results and quality performances—something that is often expected from a team of Galatasaray’s stature.
