Who is Cansu Ozbay?

Cansu Özbay, born on October 17, 1996, in İzmir, Turkey, is one of the most prominent figures in Turkish volleyball. Having started her career in the Arkas Spor youth academy, she has since made a name for herself with her exceptional skills as a setter. As of 2024, she plays for VakıfBank, where she has achieved numerous national and international titles.

Club Career

Cansu Özbay began her professional journey at Arkas Spor, later transferring to Beşiktaş in 2014. During the same season, she played for Nilüfer Belediyespor before returning to Beşiktaş for the 2015-2016 season. In 2016, she joined VakıfBank, a move that would mark the beginning of an incredibly successful period in her career.

With VakıfBank, she has won:
🏆 3 FIVB Club World Championships
🏆 4 CEV Champions League titles
🏆 3 Turkish League (Sultanlar Ligi) championships
🏆 3 Turkish Cup (Kupa Voley) titles
🏆 2 Turkish Super Cup (Şampiyonlar Kupası) titles

Her consistent performances and ability to control the game as a setter have solidified her position as one of Turkey’s most talented volleyball players.

International Career & Achievements

After representing Turkey in youth categories, Cansu Özbay became a key member of the Turkish Women's National Volleyball Team. She played a crucial role in securing:
🥉 Bronze medals at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and 2019 European Championship
🥇 First place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Qualifiers, earning a spot in the Tokyo Olympics

The year 2023 was a milestone in her career. She played a vital role in Turkey’s historic victories at the:
🥇 2023 FIVB Volleyball Nations League
🥇 2023 CEV European Championship

Individual Awards

🏅 Best Setter – 2018 Turkish League
🏅 Best Setter – 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League
🏅 Best Setter – 2018 Montreux Volley Masters
🏅 Best Setter – 2019 Turkish League
🏅 Most Valuable Player – 2021 Spor Toto Champions Cup
🏅 Best Setter – 2021-2022 Turkish League
🏅 Best Setter – 2023 CEV Champions League
🏅 Best Setter – 2023 CEV European Championship

With her technical brilliance, leadership on the court, and impressive achievements, Cansu Özbay continues to be an indispensable player for both VakıfBank and the Turkish national team. Her journey in volleyball serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.