SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga volleyball team signed international standout Viktoriya 'Vik' Ivanova to a National Letter of Intent Tuesday afternoon as announced by Head Coach Diane Nelson. Ivanova, a member of the Bulgaria National Team, is the first signee ever to have national team playing experience.
 
Viktoriya 'Vik' Ivanova | 5-7 | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Florida Southwestern State | Sofia, Bulgaria
 
Ivanova will arrive at Gonzaga following a stellar two-year junior college career at Florida Southwestern State in Fort Meyers, Fla. In two seasons with the Bucs, Ivanova saw action in 47 matches collecting 635 total digs for a 3.92 per set average. The five-foot-seven libero ranked second on the team in service aces in 2021, serving up 28 while collecting 65 total aces over her two years in Fort Meyers. Ivanova helped the Bucs to a 19-6 overall record in 2021 and led the team in digs with 342 (4.07 per set). For her efforts, Ivanova was named Second Team All-Suncoast Conference in 2019, with league awards yet to be released for the 2021 spring season.
 
Ivanova is also a superb student and collected multiple academic awards, including NJCAA All-Academic Second Team (2019), FCSAA Academic All-State (2019) and Suncoast Conference All-Academic (2019).
 
Prior to her time at Florida Southwestern State, Ivanova played with the Bulgaria National Team (Levski Sofia), suiting up for the 2017, '18 and '19 European Cups. She helped Levski Sofia to the 2017 CEV U18/U19 Volleyball European Championship and the 2018 U19/U20 European Championship. She prepped at 78 School Hristo Smirnenky and also participated in basketball, handball and soccer.
 
Why Ivanova chose Gonzaga: "I chose Gonzaga because the volleyball team is amazing, and it is one of the best academic universities in the US. From the moment I spoke with the coaches, I felt like this was going to be my place because they made me fall in love with the program. I am so grateful and excited to be part of this family and see how far we can go all get together!"
 
Coach Nelson on Ivanova: "Vik will be a perfect addition to our Zag family. She brings experience from a program that put themselves on the map over the past two seasons. She has a fire to compete, and she brings a high level of energy."