VakıfBank Sports Club () is a Turkish professional volleyball club based in Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 1986, VakıfBank SK is currently one of the best women's volleyball teams in the world, having won the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship a record four times and the European Champions League seven times to date.
From 23 October 2012 to 22 January 2014, the team held a 73-game winning streak in all official domestic and international competitions, which was acknowledged as a world record by Guinness World Records. The club won all 52 official games played during the 2012–13 season and all 51 official games played in 2013. VakıfBank collected all five championship trophies unbeaten in the 2012–13 season, being the only club in volleyball history to have achieved this unparalleled feat.
History The team was established following a merger between two separate teams: VakıfBank and Güneş Sigorta. VakıfBank were originally an Ankara-based team but moved to Istanbul after the merger. Their name changed to VakıfBank Güneş Sigorta, VakıfBank Güneş Sigorta Türk Telekom (VGSTT), VakıfBank Türk Telekom and VakıfBank respectively.
VakıfBank won three unbeaten CEV Champions League championships in 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2018, and are the only unbeaten champions in European Champions League history. They also placed second in 1998 and 1999 in this competition. They won the 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2021 Club World Championship, the CEV Top Teams Cup in 2004 and CEV Challenge Cup in 2008 while finishing second in the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship in 2011 and third in the European Confederation Cup of 2000.
The team is coached by Italian Giovanni Guidetti since 2008. VakıfBank won 47 games of 47 in the 2012–13 season in all competitions including the European Champions League (12 games), Turkish League (29 games), and Turkish Cup (6 games). After that season, they kept most of the players and coaching staff for the 2013–14 season with little changes: Jelena Nikolic, who took a break volleyball for one year, came back to the team and Italian international Carolina Costagrande transfers from Chinese club Guangdong Evergrande V.C. instead of Polish spiker Malgorzata Glinka and Japanese Saori Kimura. Glinka left the team after three great seasons and moved to her home country for familial reasons.
From 23 October 2012 to 22 January 2014, VakıfBank won 73 consecutive victories in all official competitions, which was acknowledged as a world record by Guinness World Records. During this feat the team won an unprecedented 5 trophies including the Club World Championship, European Champions League, and the domestic treble consisting of the Turkish National League, Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup. Their streak was finally ended on 27 January 2014 in a game against rivals Fenerbahçe.
Venue Since 2016, the club has played home matches at the VakıfBank Sports Palace () in Istanbul. The venue has a capacity of 2,900 spectators.
Current roster
VakifBank S.K. for season 2026/2027. No. Player Date of birth Height (m) Position Country 1Héléna Cazaute17 December 1997 1.87Outside hitter 3Cansu Özbay17 October 1996 1.82Setter 10 Eylül Yatgın1 October 1999 1.73Libero 6Berka Buse Özden16 April 2004 1.87Middle Blocker 7 Aylin Uysalcan13 July 2009 1.96Outside hitter 11 Naz Aydemir Akyol14 August 1990 1.86Setter 14Aleksandra Jegdić9 October 1994 1.67Libero 15Deniz Uyanık25 June 2001 1.95Middle blocker 16Aylin Sarıoğlu21 July 1995 1.68Libero 18Zehra Güneş (c)7 July 1999 1.98Middle blocker 19Tijana Bošković8 March 1997 1.94Opposite 91Emily Maglio13 November 1996 1.91Middle Blocker 23Marina Markova27 January 2001 1.99Outside hitter 24Katarina Dangubić12 September 1999 1.85Outside hitter 25Monika Brancuská19 November 2004 1.88Opposite 22Vanja Ivanović22 October 2004 1.87Outside hitter
Honours
International competitions FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Winners (4): 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021 Runners-up (3): 2011, 2022, 2023 Third place (3): 2006, 2016, 2019 CEV Champions League Winners (7): 2010–11, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2025–26 Runners-up (5): 1998, 1999, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2020–21 Third place (2): 2014–15, 2018-19 CEV Cup Winners (1): 2004 CEV Challenge Cup Winners (1): 2008 Women's Top Volley International Winners (1): 2008
Domestic competitions Turkish Women's Volleyball League Winners (15): 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2025, 2026 Runners-up (12): 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 Third place (8): 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2017, 2023, 2024 Turkish Cup Winners (10): 1995, 1997, 1998, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026 Runners-up (5): 2000, 2001, 2010, 2015, 2017 Third place (5): 2011, 2012, 2019, 2024, 2025 Turkish Super Cup Winners (6): 2013, 2014, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2026 Runners-up (7): 2010, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2025
Season by season Season League Turkish Cup Turkish Super Cup European competitions Worldwide competitions 2015–16 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2016–17 TWVL CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2017–18 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2018–19 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2019–20 TWVL CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2020–21 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League 2021–22 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2022–23 TWVL CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2023–24 TWVL CEV Champions League FIVB Women's CWC 2024–25 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League 4th 2025–26 TWVL 1st CEV Champions League
Previous names 1986–1999: Güneş Sigorta 1999–2009: VakıfBank Güneş Sigorta 2009–2011: VakıfBank Güneş Sigorta Türk Telekom 2011–2012: VakıfBank Türk Telekom 2012–present: VakıfBank
Notable players CriteriaTo appear in this section a player must have either: Played at least one season for the club. Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club. Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time. To perform very successfully during period in the club or at later/previous stages of her career.
Domestic Players
Hülya Cömert (1998-2000) Özlem Özçelik (1990-1993) Necla Esepaşa Güçlü (1990-2000/2000-2006) Pelin Yüce Falay (1996-1997/1998-2000/2000-2003) Sonay Gülergin (1997-1998) Çiğdem Can Rasna (1994-1998) Bahar Mert Üçoklar (1994-2000) Esra Gümüş (1999-2000) Nihan Güneyligil (1998-1999/2006-2009) Nedime Elif Yarar (2001-2009) Deniz Hakyemez (2005-2009) Neslihan Demir (2002–2006/2008–2010) Naz Aydemir Akyol (2012–2018/2026-) Polen Uslupehlivan (2008–2010/2012–2014) Arzu Göllü (2007–2010 Begüm Kaçmaz (2020–2026) Özge Kırdar Çemberci (2008–2012) Gözde Kırdar Sonsırma (2010–2018) Nilay Özdemir (2009–2012) Elif Ağca Öner (2001–2007/2008–2009) Gizem Güreşen (2009–2015) Bahar Toksoy (2007–2015) Seda Aslanyürek (2015-2016) Ergül Avcı (2011–2013) Aysun Özbek (1996–2008) Güldeniz Önal (2008–2015) Ebrar Karakurt (2016–2020) Meliha İsmailoğlu (2019–2021) Gizem Örge (2013–2021) Gözde Yılmaz (2019–2021) Tuğba Şenoğlu (2013-15/2017-18/2020-22) Sıla Çalışkan (2012-2015/2025-2026) Kübra Akman (2013-2023) Ayça Aykaç (2014-2019/2020-2026) Zehra Güneş (2017-) Aylin Sarıoğlu (2021-) Cansu Özbay (2016-) Buket Gülübay (2016-2019/2021-2023) Karmen Aksoy (2021-2022/2023-2024) Alexia Căruțașu (2022-2024) Bahar Akbay (2022-2025) İdil Naz Başcan (2023-2024) Zeynep Sude Demirel (2023-2024) Eylül Yatgın (2026-) Deniz Uyanık (2024-) Berka Buse Özden (2025-) Derya Cebecioğlu (2018-19/2021-23/2023-26) Ayşe Melis Gürkaynak (2005-2008/2010-2014/2015-2022) Meryem Boz (2021-2022) Nehir Kurtulan (2025-2026) Selin Adalı (2020-2021/2021-2022) Nazlı Eda Kafkas (2020-2021) Pınar Atasever (2019-2020) İlayda Naz Gergef (2024-2025) Selin Yener (2024-2025/2025-2026/2026-2027) Aylin Uysalcan (2025-) Begüm Kaçmaz (2023-2024) Melis Durul (2016-2017/2017-2018) Cansu Çetin (2015-2016/2016-2017) Beren Karslı (2017-2018/2018-2019) Özge Nur Çetiner (2016-2017) Çağla Akın (2010-2011/2011-2012/2013-2014/2015-2016) Ceren Kapucu (2011-2012/2014-2015) Pelin Aroğuz (2014-2015) Tuğçe Hocaoğlu Coşkun (2012-2013) Dilek Kınık (2012-2013) Ceyda Aktaş (2011-2012) Songül Dikmen (2011-2012) Seray Altay (2010-2011) Bahanur Şahin Gökalp (2007-2009, 2010-2011) Tuğçe Ergenç (2009-2010/2010-2011) Ceyda Demirhan Mertoğlu (2010-2011) Duygu Bal (2007-2008/2009-2010) Serpil Ersari (2008-2009/2009-2010) Serenat Şiir Yaz (2008-2009) Nihal Yeşil (2008-2009) Ceren Mengüç (2007-2008) Ebru Elhan (2003-2004/2006-2007) İpek Soroğlu Ercan (2003-2004/2006-2007) Zeynep Seda Uslu (1999-2000/2002-2003/2004-2005) Yasemin Alpullu (1998-2000/2003-2005) Ferda Bulut (2002-2003) Burçin Fertelli (1999-2000/2000-2003) Aycan Kara (1990-1992/2001-2002) Banu Toktamış (1998-2000/2000-2002) Pelin Çelik (1997-2001) Mesude Atılgan (1998-2000/2000-2001) Gamze Ergin (2000-2001) Zeycan Acar (1988-1993/1999-2000) Ayşe Halıcıoğlu (1998-2000) Fatma Duygu Sipahioğlu (1996-2000) Tatyana Ivannovna Şenel (1995-2000) Ebru Algür (1998-1999) Izolda Körfez (1994-1999) Aysun Evren (1996-1997) Nuray Kılıç (1995-1997) Nalan Ural (1995-1997) Ebru Işık (1992-1996) Deniz Emen (1993-1995) Emel Taner (1992-1994) Zeynep Çelikcan (1992-1993) Macide Top Özbey (1992-1995/1990-1992) Arzu Savaş (1990-1991) Güzin Teksoy (1988-1990) Banu Can Schürmann (1998-2000) Serap Tunçel (1996-1997/1999-2000) Tülin Altıntaş (1999-2000) Tuba Meto Kepenek (1990-1994/1998-1999) Çiğdem Gökoğlu (1998-1999) Müyesser Berk (1994-1995/1997-1999) Victoria Sancak (1991-1992/1997-1999) Hande Yaşayan (1997-1999) Aslı Üçkaleler (1998-1999) Ayşen Mete (1996-1998) Aylin Kartaltepe (1995-1997) Banu Karatekin (1995-1997) Aysun Hanif Karatekin (1990-1993/1995-1997) Aylin Özbeçetek (1994-1996) Melis Esinduy (1994-1995) İdil Ulusoy (1992-1994) Filiz Bayram (1992-1993) Melek Kocaimamoğlu (1990-1992) Gamze Adanır (1986-1990)
Non-Domestic European Players
Nataliya Novikova (1996-1997)
Alla Hasanova (1995-1999) Yelena Shabovta (1994-1995/1996-1997/2002-2003)
Riikka Lehtonen (2007-2008)
Iryna Komisarova (1998-2000/2000-2002/2005-2006) Olena Ustymenko Sokolowski (2011-2012) Olena Hasukha (2004-2005/2007-2008) Oksana Kotelnikova (1999-2000/2000-2001/2006-2007) Tetyana Ivanyushkyna (2003-2004/2004-2005) Olena Turkula (2004-2005) Olga Kostina (1999-2000/2000-2001/2002-2003/2003-2004) Olena Shvets (2003-2004) Yuliya Svistina (2000-2001/2001-2002) Ganna Taci (1998-1999) Alla Kravets (1997-1998) Hanna Solovyova (2006-2007) Olha Kolomiyets (1999-2000)
Elitsa Vasileva (2014–2015) Nadezhda Shopova (2006-2007) Antonina Zetova (1996-1997/1997-1998)
Maja Poljak (2009–2011)
Victoria Ravva (1993-1994/1994-1995) Kinga Maculewicz (2008–2010) Héléna Cazaute (2025-)
Nancy Celis (1998-1999) Sylvia Roll (2007–2008) Angelina Grün (2008–2009) Christiane Fürst (2011–2014)
Debby Stam (2009–2010) Robin de Kruijf (2014–2016) Anne Buijs (2015–2016) Lonneke Slöetjes (2015–2019) Nika Daalderop (2022–2023) Sarah van Aalen (2023-2024)
Carolina Costagrande (2013–2015) Chiara Di Iulio (2018-2019) Paola Egonu (2022–2023) Caterina Bosetti (2024-2025) Adhuoljok Malual (2025-2026)
Małgorzata Glinka-Mogentale (2010–2013) Marta Solipiwko (2005-2006)
Irina Shcherbakova (1991-1992) Svetlana Shakhova (1992-1993) Olga Krivosheeva (1988-1989/1992-1993) Anna Pligunova (1996-1997) Olesya Karalyus (1997-1998) Yuliya Svistina (2001–2002) Nadezhda Shopova (2001–2002) Marina Markova (2024-)
Branka Sekulic (2000-2001) Jelena Nikolić (2008–2012/2013–2014) Jovana Brakočević (2012–2014) Milena Rašić (2014–2021) Maja Ognjenović (2019–2021) Bianka Buša (2023-2024) Tijana Bošković (2025-) Katarina Lazović (2025-) Vanja Ivanović (2026-) Aleksandra Jegdić (2025-)
Lucie Václavíková Růžková (1991-1992) Gabriela Orvošová (2025–2026)