Galatasaray Daikin Istanbul asserted their dominance in the first leg of the CEV Volleyball Cup 2026 Women’s semifinal, securing a resounding 3-0 victory (25–14, 25–15, 25–19) against CSO Voluntari 2005 at the Burhan Felek Volleyball Hall. This comprehensive win brings them significantly closer to securing a spot in the final.
The Turkish squad displayed unwavering control from the outset against their Romanian counterparts. Following an initially balanced start, Galatasaray launched a powerful surge in the first set, confidently claiming it with a score of 25–14.
Although Voluntari attempted to maintain a competitive edge in the early stages of the second set, Galatasaray’s formidable serving and robust defensive play once again proved pivotal. The home team widened their advantage towards the end of the set, ultimately winning it 25–15, placing them just one set away from overall victory.
The third set saw Galatasaray explode with an impressive 8–0 opening run, effectively dictating the momentum for the remainder of the game. Despite a brief rally from Voluntari that narrowed the score, the Istanbul team quickly re-established their dominance, securing the set 25–19 and completing a clean sweep of the match.
Leading the scoring for Galatasaray was Alexia Carutasu, who contributed 17 points, including four aces and two crucial blocks. Captain Ilkin Aydin also made a significant impact with 11 points. On the Voluntari side, Hannah Duchesneau was their top performer, tallying 15 points.
The decisive return leg is scheduled for March 18th in Bucharest. Galatasaray now requires only two sets in that match to guarantee their place in the prestigious final.
