LEGENDARY MATCH | TURKIYE 🇹🇷 vs USA 🇺🇸 | Women’s VNL 2022
2 Video Views·Feb 23, 2026
LEGENDARY MATCH | TURKIYE 🇹🇷 vs USA 🇺🇸 | Women’s VNL 2022.Turkiye and USA Played One of the Most DRAMATIC Matches in Women's Volleyball History !!! What a battle in the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League 2022! In Calgary, Canada, the national teams of the United States and Turkey delivered one of the most dramatic five-set clashes of the tournament, with the USA escaping with a breathtaking 3–2 victory (25–22, 18–25, 27–25, 23–25, 18–16).
From the very first whistle, the intensity was sky-high. The Americans opened strong, taking the first set 25–22 with aggressive serving and balanced offense. But Türkiye answered immediately in the second set, dominating 25–18 behind powerful attacks and fearless defense.
The third set turned into a war. Long rallies, huge blocks, and clutch points defined the ending as the USA edged it 27–25 in dramatic fashion. Just when it seemed the Americans had momentum, Türkiye fought back again, taking the fourth set 25–23 and forcing a decisive fifth set.
And then came the tie-break…
Back-and-forth. Match points saved. Pure tension. The fifth set stretched beyond the usual limit as both teams refused to surrender. In the end, the United States held their nerves and sealed an unforgettable 18–16 victory.
On the American side, Annie Drews stepped up in crucial moments with powerful swings, while Kelsey Robinson provided leadership and stability under pressure. In the middle, Hannah Tapp contributed key points at the net.
For Türkiye, superstar Ebrar Karakurt was relentless, delivering explosive attacks and keeping her team alive until the very last rally.
This match was more than just a preliminary round game — it was a showcase of heart, resilience, and world-class volleyball at its finest. A true VNL classic that fans will never forget.
USA lead here in this opening set.
Back row, Karakutas, sent over on a free ball by Bajama.
Uzbai, Shahin,
Juangirates, Drews, trying to clean it up,
but a great dig from Ajar.
Here comes Karakut, and we've got a one point game.
Karakut on fire here in set number one, leading all scorers.
That's her seventh point.
Another great dig from the United States,
and Drews attacking, but Turkiye with their own defense.
Karakut hammering this one just past Robinson's block
for the point.
Right now for Turkiye,
and that is out as Drews did a lap
as the Tokyo gold medalist last year.
Observed for Ismailolu.
Swept over by Bajama.
In the middle, tap was there.
And now the touch from Bajama,
Drews trying to clean it up.
Here comes Karakut, blocked by tap.
The first block of the set for Team USA,
and it could not have come at a better time, Rob.
Watch Hannah Tapp get over the net.
Here's a great dig again to extend that rally.
Good defense on both sides.
There's the monster block.
They've always known they would be there,
but now they've earned a spot through Merritt.
USA has done so as well.
Here comes the big swing from Ismailolu.
She's going to get another,
and that is in, just catches the line.
It's a nice attack from Ismailolu that time.
Her second chance after a first ball deflection,
but that time driving it to the corner.
Jansu Ospai to serve.
In for Bajama, she misses.
We've got a one-point game as the plot thickens.
A great pass, nice set.
Nobody in front of her.
Karakut bid on Hannah Tapp.
Bajama can't believe she missed that one.
Ospai's serve goes to Wongorantes.
Back row, Robinson, and we've got set point, USA.
A really nice play from the Americans that time.
Kelsey Robinson flying out of the back row
on the big attack and scoring to the corner.
Serving for the set, Hannah Tapp.
Ospai, Ismailolu, overhand dig.
Bajama trying to finish, and she's done it.
25-22, USA takes set number one.
Four-point lead.
Saliha Shahin, oh, and the U.S. has trouble,
but they get it up, and then they almost get it down.
They'll get another crack.
Back set, Tapp can't get the finish.
Is and out, and Turkiyeh is rolling, rolling, rolling.
Nice save right there to extend the rally,
and then it's Karakut from the back row.
Blasting it cross court for the point.
Robinson stepping in front,
and then hammering off blocker and defender and down.
Good attack that time.
15 serving, 19-20, Turkiyeh got a bit of luck there.
Yeah, everything going Turkiyeh's way right now.
Front row center, you always have to know
Ospai's there to block the overpass attack from Tapp.
Turkiyeh with all the momentum right now.
Edda Erdem Dundar serves and handcuffs Bajamah.
She tried to get out of the way,
but it was a little too late.
Knuckle ball, took a little late last minute move there.
Catching Bajamah up top, Turkish captain goes to Bajamah.
Longorantes will just send it over.
Ganesh was quiet for a while, but I hear her now.
Can never forget about Ganesh, especially in transition.
Well-placed set through the seam.
Off-speed shot works that time.
And see if Erdem goes right back at Bajamah in the middle.
Yes.
Poulter, Robinson, the dig, back set.
Kaneknicz is gonna have to just bump it, and it falls.
Poulter couldn't get by Drews.
That's unfortunate for Team USA.
See the bump over, and then Drews and Poulter
just running into each other, unfortunately.
23-15.
Drews gets rewarded and gets a little redemption.
Yeah, you like to see Poulter go right back
to her opposite hitter that she just bumped into
on the previous play.
Perfect location, and then down the line seam
that time goes Annie Drews.
An ace for Robinson.
Team USA wants to get some momentum back here,
maybe try to pull off a comeback.
Got a little ways to go here,
but at least create some momentum and score some points.
The end of set number two.
Robinson tried to replicate it.
Bajamah down the line, not quite done yet.
Bajamah doing a nice job attacking against Karakut
and Ganesh, two of the bigger blockers,
but the speed of that set allows Bajamah to attack
down the line for the point.
And attack.
Pass that leads to the attack that goes off the hands,
and it is over.
Turquier with a huge second set win, 25-18
over the reigning-
Shahin now will try to serve for the sack.
Robinson tips it over.
Turquier, chance to finish.
And they're gonna get called for four contacts.
And they are going to challenge this.
I think there was a block touch.
I think there was, but I know that camera angle's
a little bit tough, but I don't think-
As you can see, no block touch.
The ball went off of Airdam, into the net,
down on the team Turquier side,
and Karshkirai's team still facing set point,
but they're still alive.
Here in this third set, the turquoise from Poulter.
Perfect timing, serving 24, Poulter.
Get the block, down to Rontes, Poulter, back set,
Drews, we're tied, 24-24.
Finally, one of the block deflections
stays within playable reach.
The Americans are able to counterattack it by Annie Drews,
blasting it off of the block and out.
See where Poulter goes with this serve,
goes to Shaheen, has a bit of trouble,
set her up, but it's kept alive.
Robinson, camera crew, gotten away of her teammate,
and it is set point, USA.
Giovanni Guidetti cannot believe
that Justine Wong-Lerontes got that ball up,
and the Americans were able to turn it.
He's in the seven roll, it pays off, we're tied at 25.
What a swing right there from the new opposite,
Boz, it just came in.
Her first swing of the match,
it's set point for the Americans,
and she threads the needle down the line and scores.
Poulter goes back to Drews, tip, set point again for USA.
Drews has utilized this tip very well today.
Almost playing that ball up.
Keleshkan asks for help, Boz is gonna just bump it over.
Chance to finish, Drews misses.
Americans think there's a touch, they're gonna ask for it.
If there's a touch, the set is over.
If not, touch, there is, off the thumb.
Team USA gets the point and wins set two.
27-25 in overtime, Rob.
Wow.
Different parts of the two athletes
before it finally touched the ground.
21 serving 22 here in set number four.
If there's a touch, just enough.
Airdun doing a nice job showing her range,
doesn't always have to crush the ball,
got some nice hands right in front of her,
so she goes for the tip, good vision.
Andy Drews can't get there in time.
Does Karakurt serve?
Takes a little off it, game is tied.
Washington comes through.
I'm sorry, the game was two-point lead for Turkey,
it's now a one-point lead for Turkey.
Now set point.
Can Turkey force this to a fifth and deciding set?
Washington, yes, gets the point for the U.
23 serving 24, Haley Washington will serve.
Has taken set number four.
25-23, we're going the distance.
Serving for the match, Shaheen Robinson.
And a nice pass there from Coach Guedetti,
it's not gonna count.
Robinson says, not yet.
Look at the attack line she goes for, high hands.
Coach Guedetti not allowed to play the ball for his team.
We're tied at 14 points apiece.
Nice tips.
Washington's serve puts Ismailo in some trouble.
Americans by eye-catch.
Picked up by Bajama,
Drews, and it's match point USA.
Two huge digs from Team USA in that rally.
First season.
USA side, they had match point, but we're tied again.
Fortunate play for Turkey at that time,
an out of system pass.
Able to get the ball off the block and down,
and we're tied at 15s.
Picked up by Bajama, Robinson hammers it.
It's kept alive by Turkey.
Poulter sets Robinson.
Now Poulter picks it up.
Robinson pulls it off the block.
USA takes back set for point and match point.
Third time's a charm for Kelsey Robinson.
A huge dig the first time.
Compromised set the second,
but the third time she gets it through Ganesh's hands,
the leading blocker of the match.
Robinson scores the point.
Match point, Poulter serving for the match.
Ganesh comes right back, Ganesh.
And we're tied again.
You had to know on the perfect pass,
Turkey was going to go right back to the middle.
That swing has worked.
Drews is back in the front row for the US.
Robinson, and we have USA match point again.
Robinson is on fire right now.
At her 21st point of the match,
the pass and then the kill from the left side.
17-16 match point, USA trying to finish it.
Ganesh didn't get much on it.
Turkey again, USA, Drews trying to finish it, kept alive.
Katikou, block, was there.
18-16, what a win, what a match, what a game.