Simeon Nikolov

He is the son of Vladimir Nikolov, one of the most decorated players in the history of the Bulgarian national team,{{cite web | url = http://www.cev.eu/articles/volleyball/vlado-nikolov-hopes-for-his-sons-to-achieve-international-success-for-bulgaria/ | title = Vlado Nikolov hopes for his sons to achieve international success for Bulgaria | language = en | publisher = cev.eu }} 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.

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.offtheblockblog.com/2025/05/long-beach-freshman-nikolov-wins-2025-national-server-of-year/ |title=Long Beach Freshman Nikolov Wins 2025 National Server of the Year |publisher=Off The Block |date=May 2025|access-date=June 22, 2025 }} His exceptional performance earned him several prestigious awards, including the AVCA National Player of the Year and Big West Player of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://www.avca.org/award/2025-avca-national-collegiate-mens-player-of-the-year/ |title=2025 AVCA National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year |publisher=AVCA |access-date=June 22, 2025 }}

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.{{cite web | url=https://topsport.bg/volleyball/simeon-nikolov-realizira-golyam-transfer.html | title=Simeon Nikolov completes major transfer | publisher=Topsport.bg | date=19 May 2025 | language=bg }}{{cite web | url=https://www.championat.com/volleyball/article-6021500-18-letnij-bolgarskij-svyazuyuschij-simeon-nikolov-stal-igrokom-lokomotiva-kto-on-takoj-plyusy-i-minusy.html | title=18‑year‑old Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov becomes Lokomotiv player | publisher=Championat.com | language=ru }} His initial contract spans one year, with options to extend for up to two additional seasons.{{cite web | url=https://topsport.bg/volleyball/simeon-nikolov-realizira-golyam-transfer.html | title=Simeon Nikolov completes major transfer | publisher=Topsport.bg | date=19 May 2025 | language=bg }}

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.{{cite web | url=https://www.championat.com/volleyball/news-5872167-18-letnij-bolgarskij-razigrivajuschij-simeon-nikolov-stal-igrokom-lokomotiva.html | title=18‑year‑old Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov becomes Lokomotiv player | publisher=Championat.com | language=ru }} 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.

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.

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.{{cite web | url = https://sportal.bg/news-2023092013431946309 | title = Симеон Николов: Пожелавам си да се класираме на Олимпийски игри| language = bg| publisher = sportal.bg}}

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.{{cite web | url = http://siatka.org/pokaz/simeon-nikolow-bryluje-w-reprezentacji-bulgarii-u-20/ | title = Future of Bulgarian volleyball shines in U20 squad, 18 points by the setter | language = pl | publisher = siatka.org }}

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).{{cite web | url=https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/players/181605 | title=Simeon Nikolov – VNL 2025 statistics | publisher=Volleyball World | language=en }}

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.

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.{{cite web | url=https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/news/nikolovs-carry-bulgaria-first-vnl-victory-in-quebec | title=Nikolovs carry Bulgaria to first VNL victory in Quebec | publisher=Volleyball World | language=en | date=13 June 2025 }}

Men European Championships U21 2024

16px Best server – European Championships U21 2024{{cite web | url=https://www-old.cev.eu/Competition-Area/Statistics.aspx?ID=1545 | title=European Championships U21 2024 Statistics | publisher=CEV | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

16px Best setter – European Championships U21 2024{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/ultimateesportes/p/C_oavJ4Se3O/ | title=Best setter award at European Championships U21 2024 | publisher=Instagram | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

Men Balkan Championship U21 2024

16px MVP – Balkan Championship U21 2024{{cite web | url=https://bgvolleyball.com/355124-%D0%A1%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2-MVP-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%91%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-U20 | title=Симеон Николов MVP на Балканиадата U20 | publisher=BG Volleyball | language=bg | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

Men World Championships U19 2023

16px Best server – World Championships U19 2023{{cite web | url=https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/men-u19-world-championship-2023/statistics/ | title=Men U19 World Championships 2023 Statistics | publisher=Volleyball World | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

Men European Championships U18 2022

16px Best setter – European Championships U18 2022{{cite web | url=https://www.cev.eu/articles/volleyball/italy-triumph-again-at-eurovolleyu18m/ | title=Italy Triumph Again at EuroVolley U18M | publisher=CEV | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

Men Balkan Championships U18 2022

16px Best setter – Balkan Championships U18 2022{{cite web | url=https://balkanvolleyball.org/u18m-gold-medal-for-turkiye/ | title=U18M Gold Medal for Turkiye | publisher=Balkan Volleyball Association | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

Men NCAA 2024/25

16px MVP – NCAA 2024/25{{cite web | url=https://www.avca.org/award/2025-avca-national-collegiate-mens-player-of-the-year/ | title=2025 AVCA National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year | publisher=AVCA | access-date=22 June 2025 }}

{{Commons}}

• [https://www.instagram.com/mnikolow1 Simeon Nikolov on Instagram]
• [https://volleybox.net/bg/simeon-nikolov-p79734/clubs Volleybox]

{{Ibid|date=June 2025}}

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Category:2006 births

Category:Living people

Category:Bulgarian expatriate volleyball players in Russia

Category:Expatriate volleyball players in the United States

Category:Bulgarian men's volleyball players

Category:Setters (volleyball)

Category:Sportspeople from Sofia

Category:Long Beach State Beach men's volleyball players