Raya Mlyakova heads overseas with a sports scholarship

Raya Mlyakova, one of Bulgaria's promising young volleyball players, has departed for the United States, where she will continue her development in the US collegiate championship. The Levski player, who plays as an outside hitter and opposite, has been accepted with a full sports scholarship at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida.

Daughter of former national team player Smilen Mlyakov, Raya is confidently following in her father's volleyball footsteps. In recent seasons, she has established herself as a key figure in the youth formations of "the Blues" and has also shown potential in the club's women's team.

Her move to the American collegiate system, made possible by the Popov & Kalchev agency, is a logical step for development, giving her the opportunity to combine a high level of sports training with quality education. As part of St. Thomas University, she will be part of an ambitious project with competitive participation in the NAIA division.

It is expected that even in her first season in the USA, the Bulgarian will receive significant playing time and establish herself as one of the key names on the team.