Both Turkish teams competing in the gold- and bronze-medal matches at the 2018 FIVB Women’s Club World Championships celebrated victory on Sunday. Now-three-time world champ VakifBank Istanbul defeated Minas Tenis Clube of Brazil in the championship match, and Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul swept Praia Clube to take third.

With clutch semifinal victories, Minas Tenis Clube and VakifBank Istanbul are heading to the gold-medal match of the 2018 FIVB Women’s Club World Championships. 

Eczacibasi VirtA Istanbul and VakifBank Istanbul went undefeated in the group stage of the 2018 FIVB Women’s Club World Championships to win their respective pools and advance to the semifinals. 

Having a skilled setter at the controls can elevate a good team to greatness. Conversely, even a team stacked with great hitters will struggle if they don't have a good setter. 

Often the most physically imposing player on the court, middle blockers also have to be quick-thinking and agile. 

If you thought your chance to watch elite women’s professional volleyball ended for the year when Serbia won the 2018 FIVB Women’s World Championship, think again. 

Heading into Sunday’s FIVB Men’s Club World Championship Final in Czestochowa, Poland, Trentino Volley of the Italian SuperLega was already the most decorated team in the history of the event. 

For an American volleyball fan, it’s a great time to start following the women’s top Italian League, Serie A1. All but two of the 13 teams in the league have Americans on their rosters, and some of the world’s top players are also competing in Italy this year.

Cucine Lube Civitanova and Diatecx Trentino Volleyball will meet in the gold medal match of the 2018 FIVB Men’s Club World Championship, making a loud statement about the dominance of Italy’s SuperLega. 

Before the final day of pool play competition even began, the semifinalists of the 2018 FIVB Club World Championship had already been determined, and, in an unexpected turn of events, reigning Russian, European, and World Champ Zenit Kazan was not in the quartet of teams moving on to the next round.