Our national U18 women's volleyball team became the Team of the Year in the "Athlete of the Year" survey for 2024. The volleyball players received 790 points in the poll of sports journalists.

In second place with 350 points is the women's rhythmic gymnastics ensemble. Third with 90 points is the football club Ludogorets.

Antonina Zetova's athletes triumphed with gold medals at the European Championship last year.

Their coach, Antonina Zetova, won the "Coach of the Year" award in the 41st edition of the eponymous survey by Trud newspaper.
She surpassed Valentin Angelov (wrestling), Mariyana Pamukova (rhythmic gymnastics), Pavel Hristov (weightlifting) and Filip Yanev (artistic gymnastics).
"Thank you to everyone who believed in me. Thank you for the trust in appointing me as coach of the women's national team," Zetova said at her award ceremony.
"Indeed, this again shows something great we have achieved. This is a historic success for junior volleyball, as well as for men's and women's. An exceptional success, and little by little, we are starting to realize the impact of what we have achieved. In an Olympic year with so many Olympic medals, to distinguish a junior coach is historical and shows the enormous influence that successes in team sports have, and in particular in volleyball, which is the most social and best collective sport in Bulgaria," Zetova told the media after the "Athlete of the Year" ceremony.

"I think the girls are used to it now, they have received so many awards. I was convinced that they would be the team of the year, I had no doubt, they know very well what responsibility lies ahead of them. I hope they continue to develop, because a very difficult summer awaits them," she added.

"To be honest, my work with them was very pleasant. We easily achieved chemistry between us; they are very smart girls who have a clear idea of what path they want to take and how far they want to go. I can't say that they are accomplished athletes because they continue their development, they have their qualities, and I hope to see them in the women's national team in 1-2 years," commented Zetova, who has already become the head coach of the women's national team.

"There are always peaks to conquer. My motivation for work is always very high, plus this year we have a very difficult summer with the women's national team; I dare say I have ambitions there to perform better than last year. I know it will be very tough," concluded the number 1 coach of 2024.