Gülden Kayalar
Encyclopedia
Gülden Kayalar is a Turkish
volleyball
player. She is 168 cm and plays as libero. She plays for Eczacıbaşı Zentiva since 2003 and wear 2 number. She also played for Ankara Numunespor, Şanlıurfa Gençlikspor.
, Gülden was chosen (out of a selection of many experienced libero players) as a candidate for the libero position in the national team. To her surprise, and to the amazement of many volleyball
authorities, the national team coaches chose her to represent the Turkish colors in the European Championships 2002-03. Gülden tried her utmost to deserve this honor. Being a part of the National Team means everything to me. I was very excited as I was just at the beginning of my career and was so afraid of not being successful. My team mates were very understanding and supportive. At the first national camp there were already two liberos and I did not expect to be chosen for the team. However, when they finally announced my selection, I was extremely excited' she said.
During her first international appearance at the 23rd European Championships she demonstrated her defensive strengths with some great actions, thus becoming a very effective weapon and the mascot of the national team of Turkey
. At the end of the EC she was declared the best digger of the tournament. Although having lost the final to Poland, it has nevertheless been Turkey’s biggest success in the history of the European Championships.
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
player. She is 168 cm and plays as libero. She plays for Eczacıbaşı Zentiva since 2003 and wear 2 number. She also played for Ankara Numunespor, Şanlıurfa Gençlikspor.
Career
"I started playing volleyball in Elementary school in Samsun at the age of eight", she describes the start of her career. Her first club team was Ladikspor. After Ladikspor she transferred to Samsun Atakum and DSI Spor before playing for the first division team Şanlıurfa Gençlikspor (2002–03). Then she signed a contract with Ankara Numunespor. At the beginning of the preparation phase for the European ChampionshipsEuropean Volleyball Championship
The European Volleyball Championship is a sport competition for national teams, currently held biannually and organized by the CEV, the European volleyball federation. There are both men's and women's competitions....
, Gülden was chosen (out of a selection of many experienced libero players) as a candidate for the libero position in the national team. To her surprise, and to the amazement of many volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
authorities, the national team coaches chose her to represent the Turkish colors in the European Championships 2002-03. Gülden tried her utmost to deserve this honor. Being a part of the National Team means everything to me. I was very excited as I was just at the beginning of my career and was so afraid of not being successful. My team mates were very understanding and supportive. At the first national camp there were already two liberos and I did not expect to be chosen for the team. However, when they finally announced my selection, I was extremely excited' she said.
During her first international appearance at the 23rd European Championships she demonstrated her defensive strengths with some great actions, thus becoming a very effective weapon and the mascot of the national team of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. At the end of the EC she was declared the best digger of the tournament. Although having lost the final to Poland, it has nevertheless been Turkey’s biggest success in the history of the European Championships.
Individuals
- 2003 European Championship "Best Digger"
- 2005 European Championship "Best Receiver"