Upon their return from the first VNL tournament in Canada, head coach Antonina Zetova and young athlete Mikaela Stoyanova shared their impressions of the tournament and the upcoming battles with journalists at "Vasil Levski" Airport.

✅ Minimum program achieved, but there is still room for improvement

Both statements emphasize that although Bulgaria achieved two important victories, there is still room for improvement. Zetova admitted that the team was close to even better results, and Stoyanova shared that the matches against Canada and the Netherlands could have been played more strongly.

👥 Strong role of experienced athletes

Both Zetova and Stoyanova highlight the crucial importance of experienced volleyball players – Elitsa Atanasijevic, Hristina Vuchkova, and Lora Kitipova.

• Zetova stated that she would rely on them for only a part of the tournaments, most likely in Hong Kong.

• Stoyanova, in turn, shared that the support of experienced players reduces pressure and inspires younger ones.

🌱 Youth with ambitions and rise

• Zetova emphasized the potential of young athletes, including Darina Naneva, and the importance of their integration into the main squad.

• Stoyanova, already playing a key role in the team, demonstrated self-confidence and a desire for even stronger performances, especially at the upcoming tournament in Hong Kong.

🎯 Common goal: competitive and team volleyball

Both emphasize the need for stable team play and gradual improvement:

• "We want to go as far as possible," Stoyanova said.

• "To play adequate and competitive volleyball," Zetova stated.

🔜 Focus on Hong Kong and future challenges

The next stop is the tournament in Hong Kong, which both the coach and the athletes see as a key opportunity for performance, rotations, and progress.

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