VakifBank Istanbul players hug each other after a fantastic job against Minas Tenis Clube in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship
Shaoxing, China, December 9, 2018 – Zhu Ting led VakifBank Istanbul with 21 solid attacks in their sweep of Minas Tenis Clube (25-23, 25-21, 25-19) to win the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship title for the second straight year.
Three other players scored in double-figures - Kelsey Robinson had 13, Milena Rasic and Zehra Gunes had 10 points each. On the other side, Gabriela Guimaraes and Bruna Honorio Marques scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, for Minas.
VakifBank Istanbul middle blocker Zehra Gunes and libero Hatice Gizem Orge celebrate in their match against Minas Tenis Clube in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship.
Minas put Gabi as the centre of their offence, while VakifBank involved more players to run their attacking plays. Gunes and Robinson gave VakifBank an 8-5 edge, but Minas' main hitter Gabi helped her side tie the score at 20-all. VakifBank scored the next three points courtesy of Zhu and Robinson's attack hits. Gabi refused to give up and responded with a strong hit, then Gunes' missed middle attack hit gave away another point for Minas 24-23. Gunes redeemed herself and nailed the set-winner at 25-23.
VakifBank and Minas had the same intensity at the start of the second set that led to a deadlock at 13-all. VakifBank scored the next three points to give the Turkish side more cushion. Robinson and Gunes each had back-to-back hits to protect the lead of VakifBank. The Turkish club still emerged on top of the second set at 25-21.
VakifBank got off to a hot start in the third set as Zhu unleashed a powerful attack game - drilling her spikes from all angles. She continued with her run, putting VakifBank at championship point then Rasic's middle hit completed their golden run 25-19.