Moni Nikolov Earns Big West Freshman and Setter Of The Week Title

Moni Nikolov Earns Big West Freshman and Setter Of The Week Title

2/17/2025 3:22:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

This is Nikolov’s first setter of the week honor and third freshman of the week honor.

By: Maxime Garcia, Athletic Communications Assistant

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Moni Nikolov has been named the Big West Freshman for back-to-back weeks, and Setter of the Week. These awards come after he aided in Long Beach State's sweeps of No. 3 UCLA and Vanguard.

As a true freshman, Nikolov has started at setter in every match this season. He dishes out an average of 9.56 assists per set, distributing 60 this past week alone. On the year, Nikolov ranks fifth in the Big West and is in the Top 20 in the nation for assists with an average of 9.56 per set.

Nikolov is averaging 1.79 digs per set to lead the Beach and rank fifth in the Big West conference. His defensive efforts are also made at the net, as he grabbed a solo block and assisted in two others against the Bruins. He has also made offense a big part of his game, after having 14 kills this past week and over 60 on the season.

He continues to be a threat at the service line after having another ace against UCLA and four against Vanguard. Nikolov is tied for the second-most aces in a match in program history with teammate Sotiris Siapanis after grabbing eight at Pepperdine earlier this season. He leads the Big West and the nation in aces with 1.09 aces per set.