One of the strongest opposite hitters in world volleyball – Dutch national Nimir Abdel-Aziz – gave an extremely serious assessment of Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov. In a statement for Volleyball Masterclass, he drew a direct parallel between his own development as a young setter and the profile of the 19-year-old Bulgarian.
The assessment is not just a compliment. It is an expert opinion from someone who has undergone a positional transformation and reached the world elite.
“In setting, he might already be a little better”
Nimir, who started his career as a setter before becoming one of the most prolific opposite hitters in the world, sees a similarity in the attacking profile:
“Many people told me that he resembles what I was as a setter – tall and loving to attack. In attack, we are quite similar.”
The crucial part, however, comes next:
“In setting, he might already be a little better.”
This is not a phrase uttered lightly. Nimir is a player with years of experience in the strongest leagues, with world-class physical attributes – 202 cm height, 365 cm attack reach, and 350 cm block reach. When such a profile makes a technical comparison, the weight is different.
Simeon Nikolov's Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Bulgaria |
| Position | Setter |
| Born | November 24, 2006 (19 years old) |
| Height | 209 cm |
| Attack | 365 cm |
| Block | 340 cm |
| Club | Lokomotiv Novosibirsk (Russia) |
Nikolov's 209 cm height places him among the tallest setters in world volleyball. His attack reach of 365 cm is at the level of a classic opposite hitter. This explains why Nimir draws the parallel – the profile is atypical for the position. In combination with his age – just 19 years old – a horizon of "the next 20 years" does not sound like an exaggeration, but like a mathematical reality.
Position change? Nimir is unequivocal.
"If he decides to become an opposite hitter, he can. But when I watched him, I think he loves setting more than I did. If he remains a setter, he can be something truly special."
This is the true essence of the statement. It's not about whether Nikolov can be an opposite hitter. It's about world volleyball seeing in him a setter with the potential to change the profile of the position.
Simeon Nikolov is already part of Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, where he works in an environment with high demands and serious competition. He is the son of legend Vladimir Nikolov and brother of star Aleksandar Nikolov – a family name that carries weight, but also pressure.
In this case, however, we are talking about an external evaluation. Not an internal Bulgarian expectation, but recognition from outside.
Volleyball has long sought an evolution of the setter position. Height, aggression, attack from the front and back row, service under pressure – these are no longer bonus qualities, but part of the new model.
Nikolov fits exactly this profile.
When a player like Nimir – who transitioned from setter to opposite hitter and established himself among the best – states that the Bulgarian can be "special for the next 20 years," this is not politeness. This is a signal.
A signal that Bulgaria doesn't just have talent.
But that it can have a setter who sets the standard for a generation.
photo: Nikolay Varadinov
