Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan made history in the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s League, capturing the first-ever international club gold medal for Iranian women’s volleyball — and placing three players in the tournament’s Dream Team.
A Landmark Title in Malé
The Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s League was held in Malé, Maldives, featuring seven teams from across the region. Representing Iran, Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan delivered a flawless campaign, winning five consecutive matches without dropping a single set.
In the final, Sepahan defeated Turan VC in straight sets (25–22, 25–20, 25–20) to seal the championship. The triumph marked a historic milestone: the first gold medal ever won by an Iranian women’s volleyball club in an international competition.
The team was led by head coach Lee Do-hee, whose disciplined and energetic squad combined young domestic talent with growing international experience.
Three Sepahan Stars in the Dream Team
Following the conclusion of the tournament, CAVA’s technical committee announced the official Dream Team selections. Three Sepahan players were honored for their standout performances:
- Best Setter: Shabnam Alikhani
- Best Middle Blocker: Zahra Karimi
- Best Opposite (and MVP): Elaheh Poorsaleh
Other players named to the Dream Team included:
- Best Outside Hitter: Andelka Novosel (Turan VC, Kazakhstan)
- Best Outside Hitter: Usha Bhandari (Nepal Police Club, Nepal)
- Best Middle Blocker: Elena Samoilenko (Turan VC, Kazakhstan)
- Best Libero: Sandugash Assanova (Turan VC, Kazakhstan)
The strong Iranian presence among the tournament’s elite players reflected Sepahan’s dominance throughout the competition.
Road to the Championship
Sepahan opened the tournament with straight-set victories over:
- Huraa Community Club (Maldives)
- Nepal Police Club (Nepal)
- Humo VC (Uzbekistan)
They then defeated Hirdaramani (Sri Lanka) in the semifinal before sweeping Turan VC in the final to complete an undefeated run.
Coach Lee Do-hee started the championship match with Shabnam Alikhani, Fatemeh Khalili, Masoumeh Ghadami Tabaghdehi, Elaheh Poorsaleh, Zahra Salehi, Zahra Karimi, and Seyedeh Negar Hashemi.
Fourth International Medal of the Year
The Central Asian gold medal represents the fourth international medal for Iranian women’s volleyball in the Persian year 1404 (2025–26). Earlier in the year, Iran secured:
- The Central Asian championship title
- A gold medal at the Asian Youth Games
- A bronze medal and third-place finish at the Islamic Solidarity Games
Together, these achievements make 1404 one of the most successful years in the history of Iranian women’s volleyball.
Qualification for Asia’s Premier Club Tournament
By winning the CAVA Women’s League, Sepahan also earned qualification for the AVC Women’s Champions League, which will be held in Goyang, South Korea, in 2026. The tournament will bring together the top women’s clubs from across the continent, offering Sepahan an opportunity to compete at the highest Asian level.
Sepahan’s Tournament Roster
The 12 players representing Sepahan in the competition were:
Shabnam Alikhani, Hasti Vahedi, Negar Abbasi, Negar Hashemi, Fatemeh Khalili, Masoumeh Ghadami Tabaghdehi, Elaheh Poorsaleh, Mahsa Kadkhoda, Zahra Salehi, Yasna Ahankoobrou, Zahra Karimi, and Aida Valinejad.
With an unbeaten run, three Dream Team selections, and qualification for Asia’s top club competition, Sepahan’s triumph stands as a defining moment — not only for the club, but for the continued rise of women’s volleyball in Iran.