Türkiye have started their FIVB Girls’ U19 World Championship journey on a positive note, with already three wins in their pocket (a forfeit against Nigeria, 3-0 against Puerto Rico and 3-0 against the Dominican Republic).

While Beren Yesilirmak, Eylul Durgun and Nisan Eroguz take care of finishing the balls, there is the master behind, directing the game. The setter of the Turkish team, 17-year-old Dilay Ozdemir, remains calm in difficult moments and has an outstanding instinct on which of her teammates is the right fit for putting a successful end to a volleyball rally.

The tournament is being streamed live on the Volleyball World YouTube channel.

Standing at 187cm tall, Dilay has started her volleyball career back in 2014, after trying first athletics and gymnastics.

“Once I tried volleyball, I realised that I just love this sport! And I loved being part of a team!”, Dilay says.

A statement that very well explaines Ozdemir’s approach to the game and her understanding of what a real teammate means:

“I love helping my teammates bring out the best in themselves!”

To the young Turkish, the best way to do that, is by taking an active role in directing how an action unfolds. For that, she has chosen the role of setter.

“I love taking the leadership role,” Dilay comments.

It’s no surprise that Dilay has gotten to know volleyball at a young age, falling in love with it. Coming from a volleyball family (her mother is Zeynep Özdemir, a former volleyball player, and her father is Barış Özdemir, also a former volleyball player who has played for the national team 200+ times and, nowadays, works as a coach), Dilay has been experiencing the volleyball emotion throughout her whole life.

“Being born into a family of athletes, I was able to see the importance of sport and discipline from a young age. I always had role models next to me, which is something I am very thankful for.”

The future seems bright for the 17-year-old Ozdemir. Being part of one of the strongest clubs in the world of women’s club volleyball - Türkiye's Eczacibasi Dynavit, Dilay is gaining experience day after day. Training and playing in the senior team, with players like Tijana Boskovic, Hande Baladin and Simge Akoz among others, adds an additional value to this chapter of her volleyball journey.

“Being able to share the court with players that I have been watching on TV since I was a little kid, feels like a dream come true. I am really greatful that I get the chance to learn from them and I always push myself to a higher level.”

Already counting on a list of achievements with the youth national teams (silver at EuroVolleyU17 and silver at the European Youth Olympics Festival among others), Dilay doesn’t hide what she and her teammates are aiming at at the Wolrds U19.

“I always aim for the best and I know that my teammates and I will try our hardest to get there. Our aim is to get the gold medal!”

And when it comes to personal development, the young setter sets high personal goals ahead of herself:

“Personally, I always want to see myself better than I was the year before. There is always room for improvement.”

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Girls' U19 World Championship
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