Simeon Nikolov set an NCAA single-season record with 106 service aces as a freshman setter at Long Beach State in 2025. The 208 cm Bulgarian did much more than serve: he ran the offense, scored 173 kills, recorded 81 blocks and helped Long Beach State win the NCAA National Collegiate Championship before leaving college after one season. He was also named the 2025 AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Year, becoming the second freshman to receive the award after his older brother Aleksandar.
His rise continued almost immediately at senior international level. Nikolov was Bulgaria’s starting setter during the run to silver at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, where he finished first in Volleyball World’s best-setter statistical ranking. After a professional season with Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, he signed a three-year contract with Cucine Lube Civitanova in July 2026, putting the Nikolov brothers together at both club and national-team level.
Player Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simeon Vladimirov Nikolov |
| Known As | Moni |
| Date of Birth | 24 November 2006 |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Place of Birth | Sofia, Bulgaria |
| College / University | Long Beach State University |
| Position | Setter |
| Height | 208 cm (6 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 92 kg (203 lb) |
| Spike Reach | 365 cm |
| Block Reach | 340 cm |
| Dominant Hand | Right |
| Previous Clubs | Levski Sofia; Long Beach State; Lokomotiv Novosibirsk |
| Current Club | Cucine Lube Civitanova |
| Club Number | 1 |
| National Team | Bulgaria Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 1 |
| @mnikolow1 |
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Nikolov was born in Sofia into one of Bulgaria’s best-known volleyball families. His father, Vladimir Nikolov, captained Bulgaria and was part of the teams that won bronze at the 2006 FIVB World Championship, the 2007 World Cup and the 2009 European Championship. His mother, Maya, also played volleyball, while his older brother Aleksandar developed into a senior Bulgarian international and professional outside hitter.
That background gave Simeon access to unusual volleyball experience at home, but his own development quickly became substantial enough to stand apart from the family connection. He trained in Sofia and attended Vasil Levski Sport School before progressing through Levski Sofia’s system. Volleyball World was already profiling him in 2023 as Bulgaria’s captain and setter at the Boys’ U19 World Championship, where he spoke about the advice he received from Vladimir and Aleksandar and the responsibility of leading his age-group national team.
His progression through Bulgaria’s youth teams was rapid. He collected bronze medals at the 2022 European U19 and U21 championships, silver at the 2024 European U21 Championship and gold at the 2024 U21 Balkan Championship. By 2023, while still 16, he was also appearing on Bulgaria’s senior EuroVolley roster. CEV competition records show him wearing No. 22 at EuroVolley 2023 before later becoming Bulgaria’s No. 1 setter.
The physical transformation visible across his youth records is also notable. Older CEV competition listings recorded significantly lower heights while Nikolov was still growing, whereas his current club and Volleyball World profiles both list him at 208 cm. At that height, he developed into a setter with a physical profile more commonly associated with a front-row attacker or middle blocker.
Club Career
Levski Sofia: From the Youth System to the First Team
Nikolov’s club career began at Levski Sofia, where he moved from the youth structure into the senior squad. Lube’s official career record places him with Levski from 2021 to 2024, a period that covered both his development as a junior and his first meaningful senior club experience.
He was part of Levski’s successful 2023–24 group, which won both the Bulgarian championship and Bulgarian SuperCup. Those trophies gave Nikolov domestic senior honors before his 18th birthday and preceded a much less conventional next step: instead of moving directly to another European professional league, he followed the college route to the United States.
Long Beach State and the 2025 NCAA Breakthrough
Nikolov enrolled at Long Beach State for the 2025 men’s volleyball season. Listed as a freshman setter from Sofia and a graduate of Vasil Levski Sport School, he immediately became the central playmaker of one of the strongest teams in NCAA men’s volleyball.
His season was unusual because of how much direct scoring he added to the setter position. Long Beach State’s final statistics credit him with 1,109 assists, 173 kills, 106 service aces and 168 digs. He also finished the season with 81 total blocks. The 106 aces established an NCAA single-season record, while Long Beach State hit .398 as a team and finished 30–3.
The individual awards followed. Nikolov became the 2025 AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Year and AVCA Newcomer of the Year, earned First-Team All-America recognition and was named both Big West Player of the Year and Big West Freshman of the Year. The National Player of the Year award made the family connection especially unusual: Aleksandar had won the same honor as a Long Beach State freshman in 2022, making the brothers the only sibling pair on the AVCA’s list of National Collegiate Players of the Year.
Long Beach State completed the season by sweeping UCLA 25–17, 25–23, 25–21 in the NCAA championship match and securing the program’s fourth national title. Nikolov was named the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
One college season was enough to establish both his NCAA record and his next opportunity. Rather than return for a sophomore year, Nikolov moved into full-time professional volleyball in Europe.
Lokomotiv Novosibirsk: First Full Professional Season Abroad
For 2025–26, Nikolov joined Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in Russia. The move placed an 18-year-old setter in a senior professional environment immediately after his NCAA championship season and gave him his first full club campaign outside Bulgaria or the American college system.
Lokomotiv finished third in both the Russian league and cup during his season with the club. The year was important less as a long-term destination than as another accelerated step in Nikolov’s development: within roughly two years, he had moved from Levski Sofia to NCAA volleyball, then into the Russian league, while simultaneously becoming Bulgaria’s setter at a World Championship.
Cucine Lube Civitanova
On July 8, 2026, Cucine Lube Civitanova announced Nikolov on a three-year contract. The move took him into Italy’s SuperLega and reunited him at club level with Aleksandar, who was already an established Lube outside hitter.
Lube registered Simeon as one of its two setters for 2026–27 alongside Francesco Zoppellari and assigned him jersey No. 1. The number has its own family detail: the club reported that Nikolov would have liked to wear No. 11, the number associated with his father Vladimir, but Aleksandar already wears 11 for Lube. Simeon therefore retained No. 1, the number he has also used with Bulgaria.
The transfer also presents a different technical challenge from his previous stops. At Long Beach State he arrived and immediately became the offensive organizer; at Lube he entered a new league, a new club system and a roster built to compete for major Italian honors. Head coach Giampaolo Medei specifically identified the need to balance Nikolov’s unpredictability with precision while he develops timing with new attackers.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–2024 | Levski Sofia | Bulgaria |
| 2024–2025 | Long Beach State | United States |
| 2025–2026 | Lokomotiv Novosibirsk | Russia |
| 2026–present | Cucine Lube Civitanova | Italy |
National Team Career
Nikolov’s senior international development overlapped with his youth career. CEV records place him on Bulgaria’s EuroVolley 2023 roster at age 16, while he continued representing the country in age-group competitions afterward. By the middle of the decade, however, he was no longer simply a junior prospect receiving senior exposure; he had become a central part of Bulgaria’s first-choice lineup.
The major breakthrough came at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship. Bulgaria reached the final and finished with silver, the country’s first World Championship medal since its bronze in 2006 and its first appearance in the final since 1970. Nikolov was only 18 during the tournament, yet operated as Bulgaria’s setter throughout the run. Volleyball World’s final statistical review ranked him first among the competition’s setters.
That tournament also established one of the defining combinations of the current Bulgarian team. Aleksandar supplied high-volume scoring from outside hitter while Simeon controlled the offense from setter, meaning two brothers occupied two of Bulgaria’s most influential attacking positions during a World Championship medal run.
Nikolov’s scoring contribution from the setter position remained significant during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. Volleyball World recorded 58 points across the competition: 24 from attack, 17 from blocks and 17 from service. Bulgaria completed the preliminary phase with seven victories and 20 points, narrowly missing the Finals despite finishing eighth in the standings.
EuroVolley 2026 followed in September. Nikolov made his first appearance at the senior European Championship as Bulgaria’s No. 1 setter and opened the tournament with seven service aces in a straight-sets victory over North Macedonia. Bulgaria eventually recorded four group-stage wins, including a five-set victory over defending champion Poland, before Germany overturned a two-set deficit to defeat the hosts 3–2 in the round of 16. Bulgaria finished ninth overall.
Playing Style & Strengths
Nikolov’s height changes the range of options available to him as a setter. At 208 cm, he can contact the ball from a high release point, present a substantial blocking presence and attack second balls without requiring the kind of physical mismatch that many setters need before choosing to swing. Those qualities do not replace the primary demands of setting, but they give opponents more actions to account for whenever he rotates into the front row.
His serve is the clearest statistical separator. The NCAA-record 106 aces at Long Beach State were not an isolated junior-level spike in production. In the 2026 VNL he scored 17 more points from service, placing him among the leading servers during the preliminary phase, and he produced seven aces in Bulgaria’s EuroVolley opener against North Macedonia.
That serving threat matters tactically because it allows Nikolov to influence a rally before he ever touches the second ball. When his serve disrupts reception, Bulgaria or his club can defend against a more predictable opposing offense; when he rotates back into his normal setting role, the pressure shifts to distribution and tempo.
He also scores far more often than a conventional low-risk setter. His 2025 Long Beach State totals included 173 kills, and his 2026 VNL numbers contained 24 attack points and 17 blocks. Lube sporting director Marko Podrascanin highlighted precisely this multi-phase contribution when presenting Nikolov, noting his ability to add value through serving, defense, blocking and attacking in addition to running the offense. Coach Giampaolo Medei similarly emphasized his front-row attacking option and the unpredictability in his game.
The more subtle part of his development is decision-making. Physical aggression can create easy attention, but a setter at elite club and international level is ultimately judged by location, tempo, hitter management and choices under imperfect reception. Long Beach State’s .398 team hitting percentage in 2025 provides evidence of an offense that functioned at very high efficiency with Nikolov setting, but his transition into SuperLega requires building new connections and learning when to use his own attacking threat without taking rhythm away from his hitters.
That combination makes Nikolov unusual without requiring the setter position itself to be redefined. He remains a playmaker first. What distinguishes him is that opponents must also account for a record-level jump serve, a 208 cm blocking presence and a setter who is comfortable terminating the ball himself.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | CEV U19 European Championship | Bronze |
| 2022 | CEV U21 European Championship | Bronze |
| 2024 | CEV U21 European Championship | Silver |
| 2024 | U21 Balkan Championship | Gold |
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Silver |
Selected Club Honors
| Season | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Bulgarian Championship | Champion | Levski Sofia |
| 2023–24 | Bulgarian SuperCup | Winner | Levski Sofia |
| 2025 | NCAA National Collegiate Championship | Champion | Long Beach State |
| 2025–26 | Russian Championship | Third place | Lokomotiv Novosibirsk |
| 2025–26 | Russian Cup | Third place | Lokomotiv Novosibirsk |
Selected Individual Awards
| Year | Competition / Organization | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AVCA | National Collegiate Player of the Year |
| 2025 | AVCA | National Collegiate Newcomer of the Year |
| 2025 | AVCA | First-Team All-American |
| 2025 | Big West | Player of the Year |
| 2025 | Big West | Freshman of the Year |
| 2025 | NCAA National Collegiate Championship | Tournament Most Outstanding Player |
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | No. 1 in the tournament’s best-setter statistical ranking |
Family & Personal Life
Volleyball is unusually concentrated within the Nikolov family. Vladimir Nikolov played at the highest level for Bulgaria and competed at two Olympic Games, in addition to captaining a national team that collected medals at the World Championship, World Cup and European Championship. Maya Nikolova is also a former volleyball player. Their sons Aleksandar and Simeon then developed into senior Bulgarian internationals.
Simeon has spoken openly about the value of having his father and older brother available for advice. During the 2023 U19 World Championship, he described himself as fortunate to have both figures in his career and singled out a simple principle they had reinforced: give everything on court so there is nothing to regret afterward.
The brothers’ careers have repeatedly crossed. Both attended Long Beach State, although in different seasons. Both became AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Year as freshmen. They now play together for Bulgaria, were part of the 2025 World Championship silver-medal team, and entered the 2026–27 season as teammates at Cucine Lube Civitanova.
Even their Lube jersey numbers reflect the family connection. Simeon wears No. 1, while Aleksandar has No. 11 — the number Simeon had hoped to use because it was associated with their father Vladimir during his playing career in Italy.
Where Is Simeon Nikolov Playing Now?
As of late September 2026, Simeon Nikolov plays for Cucine Lube Civitanova in Italy and wears jersey No. 1. His contract was announced in July 2026 as a three-year agreement following his season with Lokomotiv Novosibirsk. Lube’s registered 2026–27 roster lists him alongside Francesco Zoppellari at setter and his brother Aleksandar among the outside hitters.
His competitive SuperLega season had not yet begun when Bulgaria’s EuroVolley campaign ended. Lube announced on September 27 that Simeon and the club’s other players eliminated in the European Championship round of 16 were scheduled to rejoin full team training on September 29, placing his immediate focus on preseason integration with the Italian club.
For Bulgaria, he remains the senior national team’s No. 1 setter. The combination of a new SuperLega club environment and an already substantial international workload makes the 2026–27 season his first opportunity to establish himself over a full campaign in one of Europe’s major domestic leagues.
Recent Performance
Nikolov entered his first Lube season after two busy international tournaments in 2026. During the VNL, he scored 58 points in 12 matches, with the total almost evenly distributed across attack, block and serve: 24 attack points, 17 blocks and 17 aces. Those numbers are especially notable for a setter because they show how often he contributes directly to the scoreboard rather than only through assists.
At EuroVolley in September, Bulgaria opened with a 3–0 win over North Macedonia in Sofia, and all seven of Nikolov’s points came from service aces. Bulgaria later beat Poland 3–2 during the group stage and entered the knockout rounds with four victories from five matches. Germany ended Bulgaria’s run in the round of 16, recovering from two sets down to win 3–2.
The tournament ended with Bulgaria ninth overall and sent Nikolov directly into preparations for his first season with Lube.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Simeon Nikolov?
Simeon Nikolov is listed at 208 cm (6 ft 10 in) by both Cucine Lube Civitanova and Volleyball World. Older youth competition records show lower measurements from earlier stages of his development, but 208 cm is the current figure used by his club and the international governing platform.
What position does Simeon Nikolov play?
Nikolov is a setter. His height, blocking ability, aggressive serve and willingness to attack second balls give him an unusually broad scoring profile for the position, but setting and organizing the offense remain his primary responsibilities.
Which club does Simeon Nikolov play for?
He plays for Cucine Lube Civitanova in Italy’s SuperLega. Lube signed him to a three-year contract in July 2026 after his 2025–26 season with Lokomotiv Novosibirsk. He wears No. 1.
Did Simeon Nikolov play college volleyball in the United States?
Yes. Nikolov played one season at Long Beach State University in 2025. He helped Long Beach State win the NCAA National Collegiate Championship, set an NCAA single-season record with 106 service aces and was named AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Year.
Is Aleksandar Nikolov Simeon Nikolov’s brother?
Yes. Aleksandar Nikolov is Simeon’s older brother. Both are Bulgarian internationals, both won AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Year as Long Beach State freshmen, and both are on Cucine Lube Civitanova’s 2026–27 roster.
What is Simeon Nikolov’s Instagram account?
His official Instagram account is @mnikolow1.
References
- Cucine Lube Civitanova — Simeon Nikolov official 2026–27 player profile
- Cucine Lube Civitanova — Three-year signing announcement for Simeon Nikolov
- Volleyball World — Simeon Nikolov VNL 2026 player profile and statistics
- FIVB — Simeon “Moni” Nikolov: The Brilliance of Youth
- AVCA — 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Player of the Year: Moni Nikolov
- Long Beach State — Moni Nikolov 2025 player profile
- Long Beach State — 2025 Men’s Volleyball cumulative statistics
- Volleyball World — Following the family legacy, Simeon Nikolov dreams of the podium
- CEV — Simeon Nikolov 2024 U20 European Championship player profile
- Bulgarian National Television — Simeon Nikolov reflects on Bulgaria’s EuroVolley 2026 campaign
- Long Beach State — Nick MacRae elevated to head coach of Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball
- Volleyball World — Aleks Nikolov 67 points clear on top of the best scorers ranking