Sultans of the Net set to face hosts Japan in decisive VNL clash
Turkey’s women’s national volleyball team, known as the Sultans of the Net, are preparing for a key showdown against hosts Japan in the third week of the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL). The match, which will be played in Osaka, is seen as a crucial step in Turkey’s push to secure a place in the final phase of the tournament.
The encounter will take place at Asue Arena in Osaka and is scheduled to start at 13:20 Türkiye time. Playing against the home team in a packed arena is expected to create a charged atmosphere, adding extra weight to this already significant fixture.
Turkey arrive at this game with mixed results from the third leg so far. They opened the week with an impressive 3-1 victory over Poland, showing resilience and quality against a strong European rival. In their second match, however, they fell just short against the United States, losing 3-2 in a tense five-set battle that underlined both their potential and the fine margins at this level.
Across the tournament, the Sultans of the Net have registered 7 wins and 3 defeats, collecting 19 points in total. This performance places Turkey in seventh position in the standings. With the competition for the top spots extremely tight, every set and every point in the clash with Japan could prove decisive in the race for a ticket to the VNL Finals.
Turkey will conclude the third week of the Japanese leg with a match against Thailand. The goal is clear: finish this phase with maximum possible points to strengthen their position among the leading teams and keep the dream of lifting the VNL trophy alive.
Turkey’s roster under Santarelli
Head coach Daniele Santarelli has brought a balanced and versatile squad to Japan, mixing experienced names with rising talents across all positions:
– Setters (Pasör): Cansu Özbay, Dilay Özdemir, Elif Şahin
– Opposite hitters (Pasör çaprazı): Defne Başyolcu, Melissa Vargas
– Outside hitters (Smaçör): Hande Baladın, İlkin Aydın, Saliha Şahin, Yaprak Erkek
– Middle blockers (Orta oyuncu): Berka Buse Özden, Deniz Uyanık, Sinead Jack Kısal, Zehra Güneş
– Liberos: Eylül Akarçeşme Yatgın, Gizem Örge
This depth gives Santarelli multiple tactical options, both in attack and defence, which will be particularly important against Japan’s fast-paced playing style and strong block-defence system.
Injury concern for Sinead Jack Kısal
One of the main concerns in the Turkish camp is the fitness of middle blocker Sinead Jack Kısal. During the third set of the match against Poland in the third week of the VNL, she suffered an injury to her ankle. Medical examinations revealed a strain in the lateral ligaments on the outside of her ankle.
Due to this issue, Jack Kısal was unable to take part in the subsequent encounter against the United States. Her availability for the game against Japan remains a key question, as her presence at the net brings important blocking height and experience in the middle.
If she is not fully recovered, Santarelli will need to rely even more on other middles like Zehra Güneş, Berka Buse Özden and Deniz Uyanık to control the centre of the net, especially against Japan’s quick combinations and fast sets to the wings and middle.
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Why the Japan match matters so much
Beyond the basic standings, the duel with Japan carries additional importance for several reasons:
1. Direct rival for finals spots: Japan are traditionally competitive in the VNL and often fight for the same bracket positions as Turkey. A win not only brings points but potentially pushes a direct rival down the table.
2. Psychological momentum: Beating the host nation in their own arena would give Turkey a strong mental boost before facing Thailand and entering the decisive final week of the preliminary round.
3. Tie-breaker implications: In tight standings, set ratio and points ratio can determine who advances. A clear win over Japan could improve Turkey’s ratios, which may be crucial later on.
4. Testing under pressure: Playing a technical, defence-strong team like Japan in front of a home crowd is an excellent test of Turkey’s mental toughness, serve quality and patience in long rallies.
Tactical keys for Turkey against Japan
From a tactical perspective, several elements will be central to Turkey’s plans:
– Aggressive serving: Japan’s offence relies on fast, well-organised plays. Strong, targeted serves that push Japanese receivers off the net can disrupt their rhythm and force more predictable attacks.
– Efficient transition offence: Japan are known for long rallies and superb floor defence. Turkey will need to be efficient in transition, turning digs and blocks into quick, decisive attacks to avoid getting drawn into endless exchanges.
– Block discipline: Against Japan’s quick sets and combination plays, timing and positioning in the block are critical. Middles like Zehra Güneş must read the setter well, while outside blockers help close angles on the wings.
– Balanced scoring: Relying solely on one star attacker can be risky against a team that adjusts quickly. Spreading the offence through Vargas, Hande Baladın, İlkin Aydın and the middles will make Turkey harder to read and defend.
The role of Melissa Vargas and the outside hitters
Melissa Vargas will again be one of Turkey’s main offensive weapons. Her power from the right side, both in front and behind the three-metre line, can break even the most organised defensive systems. However, Japan’s block and backcourt coverage are designed specifically to handle high-volume attackers.
That is why the contribution of outside hitters will be equally crucial. Hande Baladın’s ability to attack from difficult situations, İlkin Aydın’s all-round game and Saliha Şahin’s stability in reception can determine whether Turkey keeps its offensive balance. If the primary passers can provide Cansu Özbay with a stable first touch, Turkey will have many more options to vary the speed and direction of their attacks.
Defence and reception: Gizem Örge’s influence
In a match where long rallies and smart defence are expected, libero Gizem Örge’s performance becomes central. Her reading of the game, positioning on deep and short balls and ability to start counterattacks from quality digs will define the rhythm of Turkey’s play.
Alongside Gizem, Eylül Akarçeşme Yatgın offers additional security in the backcourt and can be used depending on rotations and tactical needs. Solid reception will be vital not only to launch attacks, but also to avoid giving Japan easy transition opportunities from Turkish errors.
Managing the rotation without Jack Kısal
If Sinead Jack Kısal is not fully fit, Santarelli may adjust rotations to optimise both blocking and attack in the middle. Zehra Güneş, with her height and reach, will likely take on extra responsibility at the net, especially against Japan’s middle attacks and quick sets to zone 3.
Berka Buse Özden and Deniz Uyanık could be rotated strategically depending on serve, block matchups and the flow of the game. Turkey may also choose, at times, to strengthen the block on certain Japanese hitters by aligning taller players in specific rotations.
Physical and mental load in the third week
The VNL’s compressed schedule means teams play several high-intensity matches within a short time. By the third week, fatigue-both physical and mental-starts to accumulate. Managing that load is as important as tactical preparation.
For Turkey, this means smart use of the bench, giving short rests to key players when possible, and maintaining high energy through substitutions like Defne Başyolcu, Yaprak Erkek or Dilay Özdemir. Being able to inject fresh legs and new ideas mid-match can be the difference in tight sets.
Looking ahead to Thailand and beyond
While focus is firmly on Japan, the last match of the Japanese leg against Thailand will also play a significant role in Turkey’s overall campaign. Thailand’s quick and creative style demands full concentration; underestimating them could cost valuable points.
Therefore, Turkey must balance their intensity: approach Japan with maximum seriousness, but also preserve enough energy and discipline to finish the leg strongly. A successful week with multiple wins would not only consolidate their position in the top eight but also send a clear message to potential rivals in the final phase.
What Turkey need to secure the finals
With 7 wins, 3 losses and 19 points, Turkey are in a solid but not yet secure position. To comfortably book a place among the finalists, they will likely need:
– Several more victories in the remaining preliminary matches
– Positive set and points ratios, especially against direct competitors
– Consistency in performance, avoiding unexpected slip-ups against lower-ranked teams
The match against Japan fits perfectly into this scenario: it is both a test of character and a direct step toward the final goal. A focused, disciplined and aggressive performance could bring a valuable victory and move the Sultans of the Net one step closer to the VNL Finals.