VakifBank proved once again why they sit atop the Turkish Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi standings, rallying from a set down to defeat fierce Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce Medicana 3-1 at the VakifBank Sports Palace on February 21 in Round 23 action.

The match, one of the most anticipated fixtures on the Turkish women's volleyball calendar, lived up to its billing with electric rallies and momentum swings that kept the home crowd on the edge of their seats. Fenerbahce struck first, edging the opening set 25-23 behind a blistering combined offensive effort from Cuban-born star Melissa Vargas and Russian sensation Arina Fedorovtseva, who each finished the match with a game-high 25 points apiece.

But VakifBank, under the guidance of their coaching staff, regrouped with composure and authority. Serbian opposite hitter Tijana Boskovic took control of the contest in the second set, unleashing a series of powerful attacks that left the Fenerbahce defense scrambling. VakifBank leveled the match with a 25-22 second-set victory, setting the stage for a pivotal third set that would ultimately decide the trajectory of the entire contest.

The third set was a white-knuckle affair. Neither side was willing to concede ground, with the set extending beyond the standard 25-point threshold. Boskovic's serving became a weapon, combining with effective blocking from American middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu, who contributed 10 points on the night. VakifBank finally broke through at 26-24, seizing the momentum and a crucial 2-1 lead in the match.

With confidence surging, VakifBank left little doubt in the fourth set. Russian outside hitter Marina Markova, who finished with an impressive 21 points, was instrumental in the closing stages as the league leaders wrapped up the match 25-21 to complete the comeback victory.

The result marked VakifBank's 22nd triumph in 23 matches this season, a record that underscores their remarkable consistency and depth throughout the 2025-2026 campaign. It also represented their fifth consecutive Sultanlar Ligi victory over Fenerbahce, a streak of derby dominance that has firmly tilted the balance of power in Istanbul volleyball.

For Fenerbahce Medicana, the defeat will sting despite the individual brilliance of Vargas and Fedorovtseva. The pair combined for 50 points between them, yet it was not enough to overcome a VakifBank side that demonstrated superior composure in the critical moments of the match. The loss highlights Fenerbahce's ongoing challenge of converting individual talent into collective results against the league's best.

The Sultanlar Ligi, widely regarded as one of the strongest women's volleyball leagues in the world, continues to deliver high-quality action as the season enters its final stretch. VakifBank, with their near-perfect record, appear to be on an inexorable march toward another league title, while Fenerbahce and the chasing pack will need to find answers quickly if they hope to mount a serious challenge in the playoff stages.

As Round 23 concludes, all eyes in Turkish volleyball remain on VakifBank and the question is no longer whether they can win the title, but whether anyone can stop them from doing so in dominant fashion.