Gülce Güçtekin, a talented 20-year-old libero from Türkiye, has consistently proven herself as a standout player in youth volleyball. She has been a pivotal force for her country`s national youth teams, contributing to significant achievements, including a bronze medal at the U21 European Championship this past summer, where her exceptional performance also earned her the title of Best Libero. Her club career flourished at Fenerbahce Sport Club from 2013 to 2021 (with a brief break at Mehmet Erdem Marmara Akademi), during which she played under esteemed coaches like Zoran Terzic and secured a prestigious national championship title in 2019 under Emre Nur. This season marks a new and exciting chapter for Güçtekin as she embarks on an international adventure, joining the University of Wisconsin`s team in the U.S., where she is also pursuing a business major. This strategic move is aimed at broadening her experience and further honing her skills, solidifying her status as a potential future star in the world of volleyball.
Gülce Güçtekin proudly holding the Best Libero award at the #EuroVolleyU21W
The Beginning
Gülce’s journey in volleyball commenced at the tender age of 10. Initially, her involvement was purely recreational, practicing just twice a week as a hobby.
Going Professional
With a cheerful disposition, Güçtekin recounts that she didn`t actively choose volleyball; instead, she feels the sport chose her, igniting a profound passion within her.
International Success
This past summer, Gülce achieved remarkable success, securing a bronze medal with the Turkish national team at the #EuroVolleyU21W. Her individual prowess was also recognized as she was named Best Libero of the competition, earning a spot on the coveted Dream Team. This was not her first accolade in this role; she had previously been honored as Best Libero at #EuroVolleyU19W in 2020, #EuroVolleyU17W in 2018, and the Balkan Championship U19 in 2018, underscoring her consistent excellence.
Güçtekin celebrating with her teammates in the summer of 2022
The Wisconsin Experience
This season marks a significant transition for the Turkish libero as she embarks on a new international chapter, joining the University of Wisconsin`s volleyball team abroad.
“The Wisconsin Volleyball Team is truly exceptional, delivering a very high level of play. They offer numerous opportunities, and every player on this team is motivated to continuously improve. The Wisconsin players are incredibly talented, which is precisely why I wanted to come here. My goal is to gain valuable experience and challenge myself, as the volleyball system here is distinct from what I’ve known.”
Interestingly, Gülce recently executed her first career serve in a match, a responsibility liberos are permitted to undertake in the USA. Beyond adapting to new on-court roles, the young libero has also articulated ambitious team goals.
“First, we aspire to win the Big Ten championship, and then our aim is to secure the National Championship once more. I am confident that we can achieve these goals. We are consistently improving with each game and growing significantly as a team.”
Sources of Inspiration
It comes as no surprise to Turkish volleyball aficionados that Gülce draws her greatest inspiration from a fellow compatriot, a testament to the strong legacy within her home country.
Future Aspirations
Driven by an unwavering passion for her volleyball career, Gülce`s ultimate dream is to sustain her deep love for the game until her very last day on the court.
“My ambition is to play for the Turkish senior National Team and to represent my country at the Olympics. I firmly believe that success is always achieved through diligent hard work and the right motivation.”
Finley Blackwood