If you`ve been following youth volleyball in recent years, the name Gülce Güçtekin is likely familiar. This 20-year-old libero from Turkey has played a crucial role in her country`s junior national teams, bringing success and pride. One of her recent highlights was winning bronze medals at the U21 European Championship last summer, where she was also named the Best Libero of the tournament. From 2013 to 2021, she competed with Fenerbahce Sport Club (with a brief period at Mehmet Erdem Marmara Akademi). At Fenerbahce, she trained under Zoran Terzic and, in 2019, coached by Emre Nur, she helped her team clinch the prestigious national championship title.
This season marks a new chapter as she joins the University of Wisconsin team in the U.S., where she also plans to major in business. By gaining valuable experience abroad, Gülce is preparing herself to reach the pinnacle of volleyball in the future. Get to know her now, as she truly could be the next big star in the sport.
The Beginning
Gülce started playing volleyball at the age of 10. Initially, it was just a hobby, with practices held twice a week.
Going Pro
Smiling, Güçtekin shares that she feels volleyball chose her rather than the other way around, and she has developed a deep passion for the sport.
The National Team
Last summer, Gülce earned a bronze medal with the Turkish team at #EuroVolleyU21W. Her exceptional performance also earned her a spot on the Dream Team as the Best Libero of the competition. This wasn`t her first time receiving such an honor; she was also named Best Libero at #EuroVolleyU19W in 2020, #EuroVolleyU17W in 2018, and the Balkan Championship U19 in 2018.
Wisconsin University
This season, the young Turkish libero embarked on a new adventure: playing abroad for the University of Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin Volleyball Team is amazing, and the level of Volleyball they are delivering is very high. They have many opportunities, and everybody in this team always wants to work more. The players of Wisconsin are super talented. That’s why I want to be here. I want to gain experience. I want to challenge myself because the Volleyball system is different in here.”
Notably, Gülce had the opportunity to serve in a match for the first time in her career just weeks ago, as liberos are allowed to serve in the USA. Beyond adjusting to new rules and gaining court experience, she has set ambitious goals for her team.
“First, we want to the Big10 championship, and then we want to win the National Championship again. I am sure that we can do it. We are playing better and better in each game, and we are growing so much.”
The Inspiration
Perhaps unsurprisingly for Turkish fans, Gülce finds her biggest inspiration in a fellow compatriot.
The Dream
Passionate about her volleyball journey, Gülce`s dream is to maintain her love for the game throughout her entire career, right until the very last day.
“I want to play for the Turkish senior National Team and I want to go to the Olympics. And I believe that success is always achieved with hard work and the right motivation.”
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood