Volleyball

Team Türkiye starts new era with Santarelli and Vargas in their ranks

News

Article Thu, May 18 2023

The Turkish women’s national team, aka the “Sultans of Net”, have started their 2023 journey under the leadership of Italian coach Daniele Santarelli. Melissa Vargas, born in Cuba but now eligible to play internationally for Türkiye, stepped onto the court for her very first training session with the team.

Daniele Santarelli and Melissa Vargas were the most prominent figures when the team came together in Istanbul

This was held at the TVF Burhan Felek Vestel Volleyball Hall in Istanbul where Vargas had the opportunity to meet her new teammates and coaching staff. As she walked onto the court, she was greeted with a loud applause and warm hugs from her fellow teammates.

Head coach Daniele Santarelli expressed his delight at having Vargas on the team, stating,

“Melissa is an exceptional player, and we are thrilled to have her join us. Her presence will undoubtedly strengthen our team and bring a new level of competitiveness to our game.”


Vargas shared her excitement about representing Türkiye on the international stage, saying, “It is an honour to be part of the women’s national team of Türkiye. I am eager to contribute my best to the team’s success and make my new country proud.”

The 24-year-old player, known for her exceptional skills and powerful spikes, has joined the Turkish team after becoming a Turkish citizen in 2021. She has already made a significant impact on the international stage and her addition to the national team has raised expectations for the upcoming tournaments.

Born in Cuba, Vargas has been a Turkish citizen since 2021

The 42-year-old Italian coach Daniele Santarelli, a respected figure in the world of Volleyball, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team. With his guidance, the team hopes to make significant progress and achieve outstanding results in their future competitions.

Santarelli expressed his excitement about working with the national team and emphasised the importance of teamwork and discipline in achieving their goals.

After winning World Championship gold with Serbia last year, Santarelli is now at the helm of Team Türkiye

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