Dimitrova Claims Opposite Hitter of the Year, Named to All-League First Team with Chaussee
Published on May 14, 2024 under Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF)
Grand Rapids Rise News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids Rise captain Emiliya Dimitrova has been named the 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation Opposite Hitter of the Year, as announced by the League office on Tuesday. Dimitrova and outside hitter Claire Chaussee were also selected to the All-League First Team.
Dimitrova, a 17-year professional from Shumen, Bulgaria, finished the regular season ranked second in the League in points (4.75) and kills (4.26) per set. In 22 matches (87 sets) played, she racked up 371 kills (.240), 252 digs, 30 blocks, 18 assists, and 12 aces. Dimitrova ranks second on the team in kills, digs, and total attacks (974) behind Chaussee. Earlier this season, the Bulgarian National Team standout was named the Week 4 Pro Volleyball Federation Player of the Week after recording 26 kills (.397), 22 digs, two blocks, and an ace in a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Vibe on Feb. 18.
Dimitrova is retiring from professional volleyball at the end of the season after playing for 13 club teams in six countries (Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey, Romania, Japan, and France) before coming to the United States in 2023. In her future endeavors, she aims to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher while expanding her family in Bulgaria with her husband, Rise assistant coach, Denis Dimitrov. The couple currently has one daughter, Michaela.
Along with being awarded the Opposite Hitter of the Year, Dimitrova was one of seven players selected to the All-League First Team, joining Chaussee, Leah Edmond (Atlanta), Morgan Hentz (Atlanta), Anna Lazareva (Atlanta), Bethania De La Cruz (Omaha), and Brooke Nuneviller (Omaha).
Chaussee finished the regular season with a team-high 395 kills, 1,113 attack attempts, and 257 digs in 96 sets played. She started every match and ranked third in the League in points per set (4.47) and fourth in kills per set (4.11). The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native recorded a team-high 15 double-doubles and had double-digit kills in 22 out of the 24 matches while hitting .219 for the season. She also accumulated 20 blocks, 14 aces, and 14 assists throughout the year.
Click here to view all the announced Pro Volleyball Federation award winners. The Regular-Season MVP and Coach of the Year will be announced during the awards ceremony being held Thursday, May 16, in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Rise are playing Atlanta in the semifinals of the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship tomorrow at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. The match will be broadcast by CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET.
Pro Volleyball Federation Stories from May 14, 2024
- PVF Championship Semifinal Preview: San Diego Mojo vs. Omaha Supernovas: May 15, 2024 - San Diego Mojo
- Cooper Wins Pro Volleyball Federation Rising Star Award - Columbus Fury
- Tomkom Named Pro Volleyball Federation Setter of the Year - San Diego Mojo
- de la Cruz, Nuneviller Lead Omaha in Pro Volleyball Federation Yearly Awards - Omaha Supernovas
- Vibe Players Headline League Postseason Awards - Atlanta Vibe
- Dimitrova Claims Opposite Hitter of the Year, Named to All-League First Team with Chaussee - Grand Rapids Rise
- Pro Volleyball Federation Announces Postseason Honors - PVF
- Supernovas Battle Mojo in Pro Volleyball Federation Semifinal - Omaha Supernovas
- San Diego's Vander Weide Earns Final 2024 Weekly Honor - San Diego Mojo
- Rise Set for Postseason Debut - Grand Rapids Rise
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