Simeon Nikolov
| Simeon Nikolov | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||||
| Full name | Simeon Vladimirov Nikolov | ||||
| Nickname | Moni | ||||
| Born | 24 November 2006 Sofia, Bulgaria | ||||
| Hometown | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||||
| Height | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)[1] | ||||
| Weight | 92 kg (203 lb) | ||||
| Spike | 363 cm (143 in) | ||||
| Block | 340 cm (134 in) | ||||
| College / University | Long Beach State University (2024–2025)[1] | ||||
| Volleyball information | |||||
| Position | Setter | ||||
| Current club | Lokomotiv Novosibirsk[2] | ||||
| Career | |||||
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| National team | |||||
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Simeon Vladimirov Nikolov (Bulgarian: Симеон Владимиров Николов, born 24 November 2006 in Sofia, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian volleyball player who plays as a setter. He currently plays professionally for VC Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and is a member of the Bulgaria men's national volleyball team. Nikolov won the 2025 AVCA National Player of the Year award during his freshman season at Long Beach State University.
Personal life
[edit]He is the son of Vladimir Nikolov, one of the most decorated players in the history of the Bulgarian national team,[3] and his wife, Maya. He has two brothers: an older brother, Aleksandar, who is also a volleyball player and national team teammate, and a younger brother, Filip.
Club career
[edit]During his freshman season at Long Beach State in 2025, Simeon Nikolov quickly established himself as a standout player. He recorded 1,030 assists, averaging 9.60 assists per set, alongside 153 kills and 77 blocks. Nikolov also set a new NCAA single-season record with 106 service aces, averaging nearly one ace per set.[4] His exceptional performance earned him several prestigious awards, including the AVCA National Player of the Year and Big West Player of the Year.[5]
In May 2025, 18‑year‑old setter Simeon Nikolov completed his first professional transfer, departing Long Beach State to join Lokomotiv Novosibirsk of the Russian Super League, where Plamen Konstantinov is the head coach.[2][6] His initial contract spans one year, with options to extend for up to two additional seasons.[2]
Nikolov stated that Lokomotiv was “the strongest team that wanted me” and expressed confidence in working under Plamen Konstantinov, aiming to develop further in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.[7] The decision, he said, was supported by his family, national coach Gianlorenzo Blengini, and the Bulgarian federation, emphasizing his ambition to strengthen the national team by gaining experience at the top level.[7]
Lokomotiv’s president and coach highlighted Nikolov’s exceptional potential, citing his physical attributes—207 cm height, powerful serve—and expressed plans to integrate him as their primary setter.[7]
International career
[edit]In September 2023, at the age of just under 16, Nikolov was called up to the senior Bulgarian national team by Plamen Konstantinov for the intercontinental Olympic qualification tournament for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[8]
In January 2024, during the Balkan qualifiers for the U20 European Championship (BVA), the Bulgarian junior national team won a match against Turkey in which Nikolov scored 18 points—nine of them with service aces, four from blocks, and the remaining five from second-ball attacks and tip shots.[9]
Nikolov participated as the setter for Bulgaria in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League. Throughout the preliminary phase, he scored a total of 28 points—averaging 7.00 points per match. His contributions included 15 attack points (efficiency 45.45%), 5 block points, and 8 serve points (12.90% success).[10]
In the tournament opener on 11 June against Italy, Nikolov contributed 7 points from 3 attacks and 4 serves. He also delivered consistent performances against Argentina, Germany, and Canada.[11]
A highlight came on 13 June, when Bulgaria claimed their first VNL victory in Quebec, defeating Argentina 3–0 (25–21, 25–20, 28–26). In that match, the Nikolov brothers combined for 20 points, with Simeon contributing 6 points, including two consecutive service aces to clinch the win.[11]
Honours
[edit]Men European Championships U21 2024
Best server – European Championships U21 2024[12]
Best setter – European Championships U21 2024[13]
Men Balkan Championship U21 2024
MVP – Balkan Championship U21 2024[14]
Men World Championships U19 2023
Best server – World Championships U19 2023[15]
Men European Championships U18 2022
Best setter – European Championships U18 2022[16]
Men Balkan Championships U18 2022
Best setter – Balkan Championships U18 2022[17]
Men NCAA 2024/25
MVP – NCAA 2024/25[18]
External links
[edit]
References
[edit] | Constructs such as ibid., loc. cit. and idem are discouraged by Wikipedia's style guide for footnotes, as they are easily broken. Please improve this article by replacing them with named references (quick guide), or an abbreviated title. (June 2025) |
- ^ a b "Moni Nikolov – Men's Volleyball Roster". Long Beach State Athletics.
- ^ a b c "Simeon Nikolov completes major transfer" (in Bulgarian). Topsport.bg. 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Vlado Nikolov hopes for his sons to achieve international success for Bulgaria". cev.eu.
- ^ "Long Beach Freshman Nikolov Wins 2025 National Server of the Year". Off The Block. May 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ^ "2025 AVCA National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year". AVCA. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ^ "18‑year‑old Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov becomes Lokomotiv player" (in Russian). Championat.com.
- ^ a b c "18‑year‑old Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov becomes Lokomotiv player" (in Russian). Championat.com.
- ^ "Симеон Николов: Пожелавам си да се класираме на Олимпийски игри" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg.
- ^ "Future of Bulgarian volleyball shines in U20 squad, 18 points by the setter" (in Polish). siatka.org.
- ^ "Simeon Nikolov – VNL 2025 statistics". Volleyball World.
- ^ a b "Nikolovs carry Bulgaria to first VNL victory in Quebec". Volleyball World. 13 June 2025.
- ^ "European Championships U21 2024 Statistics". CEV. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Best setter award at European Championships U21 2024". Instagram. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Симеон Николов MVP на Балканиадата U20" (in Bulgarian). BG Volleyball. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Men U19 World Championships 2023 Statistics". Volleyball World. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Italy Triumph Again at EuroVolley U18M". CEV. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "U18M Gold Medal for Turkiye". Balkan Volleyball Association. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "2025 AVCA National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year". AVCA. Retrieved 22 June 2025.