Way to step in, Ahyi! 31 points for first Dutch win in VNL 2025

No Nimir? No problem! Evidently, the Netherlands have found a brilliant replacement for their star absentee in opposite Michiel Ahyi. The 26-year-old striker spearheaded the team to their first Volleyball Nations League win of the season with a fantastic 31 points in Friday’s four-set match against Turkiye in Xi’an, China. The Dutch have now improved to a 1-1 win-loss record, while Turkiye are still winless on 0-2.

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Ahyi delivered a match-high tally towards the Netherlands’ 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23) comeback victory over Turkiye, including the block-out shot that closed the match at the narrowest of margins in set four. His swinging produced 27 points at a 60% success rate. To that, Ahyi added two aces and two kill blocks. Dutch outside hitters Bennie Tuinstra and Tom Koops also tapped into the double digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

“It’s hard for us, because we have a new team, but today everything came together really well. We settled it with a win, which is really huge for us,” Ahyi told VBTV after the match. “For now we have to be really happy, and at the same time recover for tomorrow…”

On Saturday, the Netherlands will face hosts China at 15:00 local time (07:00 UTC).

With experienced captain Murat Yenipazar in charge of conducting the attacks, Turkiye fought well, especially in the first set, and had as many as five players reach double-digit counts in scoring. Opposite Kaan Gurbuz led the way with 21 points. Outside Efe Mandiraci finished with 18. Middle blocker Bedirhan Bulbul impressed with five kill blocks to finish with 11. Outside Efe Bayram and middle Vahit Emre Savas added another 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“We had the same problem in last year’s VNL. The first sets we play incredibly, but then we go down and we cannot keep the level. That’s the reality,” Efe Bayram commented. “When you play good volleyball, but in the end you cannot reach the result, it’s tough mentally. But the VNL is a long journey, so every day we have to get better.”

Turkiye’s next match is on Saturday at 19:00 (11:00) against Poland.

Meanwhile, Friday’s VNL action will continue with the day’s Pool 1 matches in Quebec City, Canada and Pool 2 matches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Volleyball Nations League 2025: full schedule and results

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