Simeon Nikolov was named MVP of the North American Challenge 2025, which concluded last night.On Saturday evening at the Walter Pyramid at Long Beach University, the United States won the tournament after recording victories in all nine matches over two days, accumulating a total of 24 points. Long Beach State finished the tournament with a 3:0 (25:15, 25:20, 25:19) victory against Calgary.
The Beach team was led by freshman setter Moni Nikolov, who was selected as the tournament's MVP. Two other players from the university, Skyler Varga and Sotiris Siapanis, were also included in the tournament's ideal team.
In the match against Calgary, Nikolov made 6 service aces. Additionally, he added 5 digs, 4 attack points, and 3 blocks, a colossal 13 points for a player in such a position! For his main activity - setting - Moni delivered 25 assists, converted into points by his teammates.
North American Challenge 2025 All-Tournament Team, presented by Lytle Screen Printing:
Jacob Baird – Saskatchewan
Cole Hartke – Pepperdine
Jacob Riley – Pepperdine
Caden Schmidt – Trinity Western
Bryce Dvorak – UC San Diego
Anthony Cherfan – UC San Diego
Cole Chepurik – Calgary
Sotiris Siapanis – Long Beach State
Skyler Varga – Long Beach State
Tournament MVP: Moni Nikolov – Long Beach State
Long Beach State will officially open its 2025 campaign on Saturday, January 11, when it hosts the Knights from Fairleigh Dickinson.
The first serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM, California time.
