CSULB’s Players of the Year were men’s volleyball standout Moni Nikolov, along with beach volleyball pair Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah.

Simeon "Moni" Nikolov, son of Bulgarian volleyball legend Vlado Nikolov, made a significant mark in U.S. college volleyball by playing a key role in Long Beach's victory at the NCAA Championship.

Long Beach State setter Moni Nikolov leaps to serve the ball during the NCAA men’s volleyball title match against UCLA on Monday night in Columbus, Ohio.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MAY 12: Moni Nikolov #1 of the Long Beach State Beach hits a kill against the UCLA Bruins during the Division I Men's Volleyball Championship held at the Covelli Center on May 12 ...

CSULB’s Moni Nikolov raises the National Championship trophy during a celebration outside the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG) ...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Freshman Moni Nikolov posted six kills, four aces and a pair of digs and Long Beach State beat UCLA 25-17, 25-23 and 25-21 to win the NCAA men's volleyball tournament on ...

Freshman Moni Nikolov posted six kills, four aces and a pair of digs and Long Beach State beat UCLA 25-17, 25-23 and 25-21 to win the NCAA men's volleyball tournament on Monday night.

Freshman Moni Nikolov posted six kills, four aces and a pair of digs and Long Beach State beat UCLA 25-17, 25-23 and 25-21 to win the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament Monday night.

Freshman Moni Nikolov posted six kills, four aces and a pair of digs and Cal State Long Beach beat UCLA to win the NCAA men's volleyball tournament.