GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Rise opposite hitter Emiliya Dimitrova was named the Week 4 Pro Volleyball Federation Player of the Week, as announced by the League’s office on Tuesday.
The 17-year veteran from Shumen, Bulgaria, was a driving force behind the Rise defeating the Atlanta Vibe in five sets on Sunday, 3-2, by set scores of 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 15-11.
Dimitrova had a match-high 26 kills with only three attack errors on 58 swings for a .397 attack percentage. She also added two blocks and an ace for a total of 29 points — tied for the second-most individual points in a Pro Volleyball Federation match. With 22 digs, Dimitrova recorded her third double-double performance this season. She ranks second on the team in kills (66) behind Claire Chaussee (68).
In the fifth set against Atlanta, Dimitrova took over. The Rise scored 11 out of their 15 points off kills with Dimitrova knocking down seven of them on just eight swings (.875).
Dimitrova is the first player in franchise history to be named the League’s Player of the Week. She joins Atlanta Vibe’s Alli Linnehan (Week 1) and Leah Edmond (Week 2), and Orlando’s Adora Anae (Week 3) as former weekly award winners. Dimitrova is the first non-outside hitter to claim the honor.
The Bulgarian National Team member is playing with her 14th professional club after making previous club stops in Bulgaria, France, Romania, Turkey, Italy, Japan, and now the United States. Dimitrova has collected a combined 17 medals at the club level.
Dimitrova and the Rise are back in action Friday, Feb. 23, at the San Diego Mojo. The opening serve is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation began play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our focus is on ensuring that the level and quality of play, treatment of players, quality of event presentations, and day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.
ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS RISE
Founded in December 2022 as the first Pro Volleyball Federation franchise and Grand Rapids’ first major-league women’s sports team, the Grand Rapids Rise made their debut at Van Andel Arena on Jan. 25, 2024. Led by longtime Michigan State and Western Michigan head coach Cathy George, the Rise’s 14-player roster will play 24 games (12 home, 12 away) during their inaugural season. The team is operated by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment and owned by Dan DeVos, who is also co-owner and CEO of the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Visit grrise.com for the schedule and to purchase tickets.
Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Rise