A golden final with a Bulgarian accent marked the end of the US men's collegiate volleyball season. Kristian Titriyski and the University of Hawaii triumphed with the NCAA title after defeating UC Irvine 3:1 (15:25, 25:18, 25:18, 25:20) in the final, played in the legendary Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The Bulgarian contribution to the top
The Bulgarian national team player was among the leading figures for the champions, finishing with 19 points (16 from attack, 2 aces, 1 block). Titriyski was not only the top scorer for his team but also sealed the match by executing the final attack. This marks the second consecutive year a Bulgarian volleyball player has won the NCAA title, following Simeon Nikolov's victory with Long Beach last season.
Tough start, championship character
The match did not start as planned for Hawaii. The team decisively lost the first set, struggling significantly in attack and allowing their opponent to dictate the rhythm. However, their reaction was on a championship level. In the next three sets, the 'Rainbow Warriors' imposed control through more effective attacking and aggressive serving. Setter Tread Rosenthal organized the game excellently, and Titriyski and his teammates found the right rhythm.
Crucial runs and key players
Hawaii gradually broke their opponent, showing greater stability in crucial moments. Louis Sakanoko, named the Most Outstanding Player of the final tournament, also made a significant contribution, especially with his serving run in the fourth set. In the final part, the champions demonstrated high efficiency in attack, and at 24:19, it was Titriyski who scored the point that brought them the title.
Statistics from the final
| Team | Attack | Aces | Block | Errors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 0.410 | 9 | 6 | 15 |
| UC Irvine | 0.300 | 4 | 10 | 18 |
Despite a deficit in blocking, Hawaii compensated with better attack efficiency and significantly more effective serving. The nine aces rattled the opponent's reception, and stability in attack after the first set was crucial for the overall success.
Historical context
Hawaii won its third title in history, ending a multi-season gold drought, while also recording a record number of wins during the campaign. The team also solidified its dominance against UC Irvine, achieving another success against this opponent.
For Bulgarian volleyball, this is another recognition on the international stage – Titriyski joined the ranks of names who have left their mark in the American collegiate championship and showed that the national school continues to produce world-class players.
