The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2024-25 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
Long Beach State star freshman setter Moni Nikolov’s historic season continues this week at the NCAA Tournament, as he’s led the Beach to the No. 1 overall seed and a Final Four match on Saturday against Pepperdine at 2pm. Nikolov has added another huge accomplishment to his resume–he was named the AVCA’s National Player of the Year, shortly after being named Freshman of the Year.
He is just the second-ever freshman to win National Player of the Year, after his brother Alex did it with Long Beach State a few years ago.
“I think when you look at Moni’s year, I think this is the most impact one player has ever had on men’s volleyball in one season that I’ve ever been around,” said LBSU coach Alan Knipe. “In every part of the game. His athleticism, his play, his leadership, all those things. We’ve had five teams with their biggest crowd when they’ve played us on the road this season–we’ve had extra security just to get him on the bus. None of that stuff’s nearly as important as what he does on the court, but when you package it all together it’s so special.”
Nikolov guided the Beach to a nation-best .399 attack while also setting a Big West record for most aces in a season, and now No. 2 in history as he approaches 100. He also killed, blocked, and dug balls in a way that few setters ever have, using his 6-8 physique to stress defenses in a unique way.
Nikolov said that he was happy to join his brother in making history.
“Before I came here it was kind of a joking rivalry with him,” he said. “But I didn’t come here to win this. It just so happened that I played well and helped my team and got the award.”
Nikolov said that Knipe called him into his office and shook his hand and said that only he and one other player had achieved this accomplishment: he and his brother Alex.
Nikolov also stressed that as fun as it was to win the award, his goal is two more wins.
“This is not the goal, this is not what I came here for,” he said. “If I could trade it for winning the championship with my team I would always trade it, it’s always the team first. I’m coming here for winning the Final.”
