VUVB Middle Blocker Tuana Turhan signs with NCAA D-I Quinnipiac University

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University middle blocker Tuana Turhan (Ankara, Turkey) signed to continue her volleyball career next season at NCAA Division I Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

“There are many reasons why I chose to sign with Quinnipiac University,” Turhan said. “First, it was a priority for me that they are very successful in sports and academia. Also, last year Quinnipiac won the MAAC Conference Championship. This was a really big reason why I chose Quinnipiac. I also thought that being at Quinnipiac would be the best education I could give myself in every way.”

Turhan burst onto the scene in a big way last season for the Trailblazers, finishing the season with 257.5 points, 151 blocks, 136 kills, 76 digs and 35 aces.

Her 151 total blocks last season was good for eighth in the country and her front row abilities allowed VU to finish with the 14th most blocks at the NJCAA Division I level last season.

Turhan twice finished with double-digit blocks in a match, setting her career-high with 11 blocks at Wallace State, before recording 10 blocks against Kaskaskia College four days later.

Turhan joins VU sophomores Lara Gomes de Castro (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Josephine Mulligan (Saint John, Ind.) as members of last year’s VUVB team to sign with four-year programs. Gomes de Castro signed to play at Union College in Kentucky, while Mulligan will play at Keiser University in Florida this fall.

These three helped guide the Trailblazers to a 29-9 record last season, including an undefeated 12-0 record against Region 24 opponents and earned VU their second consecutive Region 24 Championship.

“Winning the Region 24 Championship last year was my favorite moment at Vincennes University,” Turhan added. “It was one of my biggest goals I set for myself before coming to America and with the help and support of my team and coaches we were able to achieve it. This moment will always remain in my mind as my favorite memory at Vincennes University.”

“Tuana is an excellent student as she dealt with the challenges of English as a second language and in studying a very difficult major in Engineering,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “During her one season here, she posted up some big numbers and wasn’t far removed from post season honors. I have every confidence that Tuana will do just as well, if not better in both the classroom and on the court at Quinnipiac.”

Turhan will be joining a Bobcats squad coming off a 14-15 record last season and saw them end the season by winning 12 of their final 15 games, winning the first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

Turhan becomes the first NCAA Division I signee during the Coach Gary Sien era at Vincennes University.

Turhan was named to the Dean’s List in the Spring for Engineering.

“I would like to express a big thank you to the VU coaching staff, Coach Gary Sien, Coach Mike Misner and Coach Ariana Gentzler,” Turhan said. “As an international player, I think volleyball in Turkey and volleyball in America are very different. I think my whole team and all my coaches have patiently supported me in this regard and prepared me athletically for a four-year school. So, I would like to convey my thanks to them again.”

“Academically, I would like to thank my professor Emily Yetka,” Turhan added. “Her great support helped me a lot to achieve my success in America. Thanks to her, I was able to get to know American culture very well. I am thankful and grateful to all my professors at VU. Especially my physics professor Gary Johs and my advisor Jubin Chen. Thanks to them, I was able to be a student and an athlete at the same time in a very comfortable way. I think this has prepared me for a four-year school.”

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Tuana Turhan on her signing with Quinnipiac University and wishes her good luck next season.