Zehra GUNES

Standing 1.97m tall, Zehra Gunes looms large as a standout in Turkish and world volleyball.

Gunes started playing with VakıfBank at 12 years old. She won the National Stars and Youth Championships in consecutive years before guiding Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi to the Turkish youth title.

She returned to VakıfBank for the 2015-16 season and was named Best Middle Blocker at the 2015 U18 World Championships in Peru. Turkey finished fourth in the competition won by Italy whose MVP Paola Egonu has gone on to become one of the best players in the world.

At home, Gunes helped VakifBank's second team gain promotion to the second tier of Turkish volleyball. A loan spell with Beşiktaş for the 2016-17 season gave her further experience before she returned to VakıfBank.

Zehra Gunes: success for club and country

The 2017-18 season saw Gunes become a key member of VakifBank's first team and earn her first call-up to the national team. She helped the Istanbul giants claim the first of three CEV Women's Champions League titles and two FIVB Club World Championship crowns as well as numerous domestic league and cup triumphs.