site.btaBulgarian Emiliya Dimitrova Named 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation Opposite Hitter of the Year

The US Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) has named Grand Rapids Rise captain Emiliya Dimitrova as 2024 Opposite Hitter of the Year, PVF announced on Tuesday.

Dimitrova is a native of Shumen (Northeastern Bulgaria). In 22 matches (87 sets) played during the season, she racked up 371 kills (.240), 252 digs, 30 blocks, 18 assists, and 12 aces. She ranks second on the team in kills, digs, and total attacks (974) behind Claire Chaussee.

Earlier this season, the Bulgarian was named the Week 4 Pro Volleyball Federation Player of the Week after recording 26 kills (.397), 22 digs, two blocks, and an ace in a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Vibe on February 18.

Dimitrova retired from professional volleyball at the end of the 2024 season after a 17-year-long career during which she played for Bulgaria's Slavia Sofia, Levski Sofia and Maritza Plovdiv, Italy's Imoco Volley Conegliano, Pallavolo Scandicci and VBC Trasporti Pesanti Casalmaggiore, Turkiye's Yesilyurt Istanbul, Bursa BBSK and Spor Ankara, Romania's C.S. Volei 2004 Tomis Constanta and C.S. Targoviste, Japan's NEK Red Rockets, and the US Grand Rapids Rise (since 2024).

A Bulgarian National Team standout until 2021 (when she played for her country in the 2021 Women's European Volleyball Championship, co-hosted by Bulgaria), the 32-year-old plans to become an elementary school teacher. Dimitrova is married to Rise assistant coach Denis Dimitrov. They have one daughter, Michaela.