Turkey was trailing in the quarterfinal match in Paris, but the exceptional Melissa Vargas was the reason our southern neighbors returned to the game and defeated China 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 15-12). For the Asians, the match could not become a kind of revenge match from the final of the Volleyball Nations League in 2023, when Turkey defeated them 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16).

With a colossal 42 points, Vargas ranked second in the women's top scorer ranking at the Olympics in Paris.

She was the biggest contributor to the team's victory and their qualification for their first Olympic semi-final in the history of Turkish women's volleyball.

The victory gave the Turks 6.68 points for the FIVB world ranking, moving them from fourth to third place with 367.97 points. China remains in fifth place, now with 350.30 points.

Playing in her first Olympics, 24-year-old Vargas scored an astounding 42 points (two blocks and two aces). Hande Baladın scored 13 points (one block, one ace), libero Gizem Örge and setter Elif Şahin, who came off the bench to replace the injured starter Cansu Özbay, were the other standouts from the Turkish team.

For China, Li Yingying was the most effective with 25 points (five aces, one block).

Turkey will face the winner of the Italy - Serbia match in their first Olympic semi-final.

photos:volleyballworld.com