Player of the Week: October 18, 2021
Each week of the spring and fall seasons, one player who was originally reported as a recruit by AVSR Global is named Player of the Week for an exceptional performance.
Fall Week #5: Naina Ivanova
Francis Marion University.
Conference Carolinas.
NCAA Division II.
Graduate student. 5'9" Setter/Libero.
Reported by AVSR Global to coaches in 2016.
Home: Sofia, Bulgaria.
See Naina Ivanova’s bio at the FMU website.
Last Week:
• Ivanova keyed Francis Marion’s latest win as it surged to an 11-0 mark in Conference Carolinas. This is the Patriot’s first year in the league.
• Ivanova has switched between setter and defensive specialist for FMU. She’s the team’s top server, tallying 32 aces and only 20 errors.
• FMU played in the Peach Belt Conference for 30 years before joining Conference Carolinas. The Patriots last won a league title in 2006.
• Ivanova transferred to FMU this year after earning a bachelor’s degree at Stetson University in Florida. She’s pursuing a master’s in business.
• At Stetson Ivanova was a four-year mainstay as a setter, libero and defender. Through 96 matches she missed only two of 360 sets.
• For Bulgaria’s junior national team Ivanova played outside hitter, libero and setter. She also played middle blocker for the Zvezdi 94 club.
• Ivanova’s father, Galin Ivanov, played Major League Soccer for D.C. United in Washington. He now coaches pro soccer in Bulgaria.
Excerpts from 2016 AVSR Global report:
“An organic athlete and a savvy, gritty volleyball player. … Setting is her best role, but she’s also an explosive hitter and an expert libero. … Her father played Major League Soccer for D.C. United.”
