Iveta Stanchulova will continue her career in the USA, joining the American professional team Columbus Fury for the 2026 season. The outside hitter is taking a significant step in her career by moving to one of the fastest-growing women's volleyball leagues in the world.
Columbus Fury is a professional club from Columbus, Ohio, which competes in Major League Volleyball (MLV), known until recently as Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). The team is among the founding members of the professional league in the USA and plays its home matches at "Nationwide Arena" - an arena with a capacity of nearly 20,000 spectators. The American league launched in 2024 with the ambition to keep leading American athletes in the country, instead of them seeking opportunities in Europe or Asia. In just a few seasons, the championship attracted significant interest, high attendance, and substantial television coverage. Eight teams participate in the league A Columbus Fury, Atlanta Vibe, Omaha Supernovas, Orlando Valkyries, Indy Ignite, San Diego Mojo, Grand Rapids Rise, and Vegas Thrill.
For Iveta Stanchulova, this will be another challenge in her international career. The outside hitter, born on August 11, 1997, has extensive experience in various European championships. In Bulgaria, she played for CSKA Sofia and DKS Varna, and abroad she has worn the jerseys of the French Stella Calais Volley-Ball, Finnish LP Vampula, Hungarian Swietelsky-Békéscsabai RSE, Romanian CSM Constanța, and Turkish Karşıyaka.
Interestingly, she will not be the first Bulgarian in the championship. Before her, middle blocker Hristina Vuchkova also played in the same league, as part of the Omaha Supernovas during the championship's debut season in 2024. Vuchkova had a strong season and helped her team win the championship title, also being named to the league's Second Team All-League.
Iveta Stanchulova's move to Columbus Fury is further proof of the growing presence of Bulgarian female volleyball players in the USA, where women's professional volleyball is developing at an exceptionally rapid pace.