Ceylin Kuyan – Like mother like daughter!

Volleyball is sometimes a family affair. Last week, Leana Grozer, daughter of Georg, represented Germany on the international stage for the very first time, claiming the MVP award at the WEVZA #EuroVolleyU17W qualifier held in Belgium. This week, the only 14-year-old outside hitter Ceylin Kuyan is taking centre stage at the BVA qualifier for the same age group held in Balikesir, Turkey.

The participation in this competition is more than a dream come true for Ceylin. Her mother, Mesude Atilgan Kuyan, is a real legend of Turkish Volleyball and a silver medal winner from the 2003 edition of the women’s European Championship held in Ankara. Mesude was a key member of the team that made history by claiming the first medal for Turkish Volleyball in any major international competition.

Introduced to the sport by her mother, Ceylin currently plays for VakifBank Sports Club together with her twin sister Ceyda Kuyan. The event in Balikesir is not her international debut though – as she has represented Turkey internationally for two years already, contesting last year’s U16 European Championship. Her mom competed for Turkey for as many as ten years from 1999 to 2003 – and one can expect Ceylin to follow the same path as she hopes to help Turkey continue their success story in the women’s game.

Turkey are yet to drop a set at the BVA event in Balikesir where Ceylin top scored against Albania (15 points) before registering 12 points in yesterday’s matchup with Romania.