Bulgarian Volleyball Prodigy Moni Nikolov Leads Long Beach to NCAA Championship Glory
Long Beach, California, The Gulf Observer: In a stunning display of talent and determination, Simeon “Moni” Nikolov, the 18-year-old son of Bulgarian volleyball legend Vlado Nikolov, played a pivotal role in Long Beach State’s triumph at the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship, leading his team to a commanding 3-0 victory over UCLA in the final.
The championship-clinching point was dramatically sealed by Moni himself, as his proud parents, Vlado and Maya Nikolov, watched from the stands, witnessing the continuation of a remarkable family legacy in the sport.
Nikolov’s debut NCAA season was nothing short of historic. He garnered several top honors, including Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NCAA season, Best Rookie, and a place in the Tournament’s Ideal Team. His exceptional serving earned him a record-breaking 106 aces, one of which clocked a remarkable 135 km/h, ranking among the fastest serves ever recorded in volleyball.
What makes Nikolov’s achievement even more extraordinary is his dual impact as a setter, a position traditionally not associated with high scoring. In several matches, he led all players in points, often surpassing the 20-point mark.
Moni was not alone in showcasing Bulgarian talent on the American stage. He was joined by compatriots Alexander Kandev, Lazar Buchkov, and Georgi Binev, all of whom contributed to Long Beach State’s dominant season and ultimate title win.
The volleyball talent runs deep in the Nikolov family. Moni’s older brother, Alexander Nikolov, currently plays for top Italian club Cucine Lube Civitanova, which recently finished as runner-up in the Italian Super League.
Founded in 1906, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) oversees college athletics in the United States and is renowned for nurturing young talent across a wide spectrum of sports. It offers nearly a billion dollars in scholarships annually, while promoting both academic and athletic excellence among student-athletes.
With his record-setting season and unwavering poise under pressure, Moni Nikolov has firmly established himself as one of the brightest young stars in international volleyball—and a proud continuation of his family’s celebrated sporting heritage.
