Erik Stoev was named MVP in the match between Khamees Mushait and Abha in the so-called "High Cities Derby" in the Saudi Volleyball Super League. The match, which lasted an hour and 43 minutes, ended with a 3:0 (25:23, 38:36, 25:23) victory for the home team from Khamees Mushait.Erik Stoev finished the match with 15 points (1 ace, 1 block), achieving 72% in attack and recording 52% positive reception.
The term "High Cities Derby" refers to volleyball matches between teams from cities located at a significant altitude. In this case, the cities of Abha and Khamees Mushait are located at approximately 2,235 and 2,066 meters above sea level, respectively. Due to their geographical proximity and high elevation, matches between teams from these cities are often called the "High Cities Derby."
The Saudi Volleyball Super League is the highest level of men's volleyball in Saudi Arabia, founded in the 1978/79 season and organized by the Saudi Volleyball Association. 12 clubs from across the country participate in the league, playing a regular season where each team meets the others twice – once at home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season becomes champion, and the last two teams are relegated to a lower division.
Regarding foreign players, the Saudi Volleyball Association has introduced rules to limit the number of foreigners in teams, aiming to encourage the development of local talent. According to the new regulations for the 2025/26 season, teams can include a third foreign player only if they are under 23 years old. This rule makes young talents like Erik Stoev, who is 21 years old, particularly valuable for teams in the league.
Historically, Al Ahli Jeddah and Al Hilal Riyadh have dominated the league, with 25 and 19 titles respectively. The most recent champion is Al Hilal Riyadh, who won the title in the 2023–24 season.
