September 4, 2025.- The United States lost to the reigning European champions Türkiye, who dropped their first set at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025 on Thursday, but overcame a brave American team to advance for the first time in history to the tournament’s semifinals.
The Europeans came out on top in the fourth and last quarterfinal match of the event, which took place at the Huamark Indoor Stadium, in Bangkok, taking the Americans down with a 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-14, 25-23) victory to continue their chase for their first World Championship medal.
Star outside hitter Ebrar Karakurt delivered her best performance at the World Championship so far against the Americans, leading the Turkish side with 23 points (20 kills, three blocks). Opposite Melissa Vargas was also instrumental, tallying 21 points (18 kills, three aces), while team captain and middle blocker Eda Erdem added another 13, with a match-high seven blocks and six kills.
Sarah Franklin was the most productive American player on the court with 12 points (ten kills, one block, one ace), one more than fellow outside hitter Avery Skinner, middle blocker Dana Rettke and opposite Stephanie Samedy.
“I’m very proud of the team,” Rettke, a Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist, reacted. “When you look at where we were at the beginning of the season and where we are now, there’s been so much growth. We worked very hard over the summer to be in the best shape possible here, and we did a great job. It’s the first year in the quad and we have a new coaching staff and new players, so this is a great result.”
Türkiye’s strong game at the net paved the way for their victory as the Europeans largely outscored the Americans in both kills (58 to 41) and blocks (19 to 11). The USA had the most aces (six to three) and there was a similar number of errors made by both sides (Türkiye gave up 18 points and the United States, 17).
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