California State University Northridge Athletics
From Setback to Strength: Delibosov Embraces the Road Back
3/16/2026 8:06:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — For most of his volleyball career, Stilian Delibosov had never known what it meant to be sidelined by injury.
That changed last November at USC's Galen Center Pavilion.
The CSUN men's volleyball team was competing in USC's annual fall exhibition tournament when the unexpected happened. In a single moment, the Matadors' 2026 season was altered, and Delibosov — one of the nation's top young middle blockers — was forced to confront a challenge he had never faced before.
Surgery.
The sophomore middle from Bulgaria, a First-Team AVCA All-American as a freshman, would miss the entire 2026 season.
"Honestly, before the surgery I was really scared," Delibosov said. "But this was something that I needed to face so I could be back on the court as soon as possible."
For Delibosov, the recovery process became about more than physical healing. It was also about leaning on the people around him — coaches, teammates, family, and especially his girlfriend.
"I am really thankful to the people around me who never left me alone during this time," he said. "I am from Bulgaria, and all of my family is there, but they've been calling me all the time and making me feel like they are here. Also the coaching staff has been great and has taken amazing care of me through this hard time in my life. Thank you, coaches."
His support system extended beyond the gym.
"My girlfriend was there with me and has supported me throughout the entire process," he said. "She was the person who was taking care of me at home after the surgery, and I really can't imagine what I would do without her during this time. Basically, she was the person who had to step in as my family, and I am really thankful to her for that."
After a successful surgery, Delibosov shifted his focus to rehabilitation. But while the training room offered a path forward, watching from the sidelines presented its own challenges.
"For sure, the toughest part after an injury like that is to stay on the side and watch your team," he said. "Also, not being able to help them in moments that they need you the most."
Still, Delibosov found motivation in those moments.
"As I said, it is really painful to watch your teammates play and practice, but somehow I found my motivation there and can transfer it to the training room to keep working hard," he said. "Also, I've been playing volleyball for around 12 years, and I have a lot of memories because of this sport. This is what keeps me looking forward."
The injury also offered a new perspective.
"I have learned a lot about my body and what I need to get better, and I learned a lot about my mental health and how to get through hard times," he said. "Also, I am still learning how far I can go and what I need to do so I can reach my future goals."
Before the injury, Delibosov's collegiate career had begun with remarkable success.
As a true freshman in 2025, he appeared in 28 of CSUN's 29 matches and quickly established himself as one of the conference's most efficient hitters. He ranked third on the team with 201 kills while posting a team-best .503 attacking percentage, which led the Big West and ranked among the best hitting percentages in the nation.
Delibosov also made his presence known defensively, finishing with 110 total blocks (1.05 per set), the second-highest total in the Big West. He added 31 service aces, 37 digs, and 17 assists during a breakout debut season that included a 15-kill performance against Princeton and a season-high 11-blocks against Menlo.
Now, his focus has shifted to returning for the 2027 season.
"Right now I am feeling strong, but obviously not enough to start playing the game that I love," he said. "I'm especially thankful to our athletic trainer, Shaun (Crespi), and sport performance coach Devin (Figueroa). With their help, I am getting stronger every day."
Delibosov believes the work he's putting in now will make him better when he finally returns to the court.
"I think most people don't realize that after an injury like this, an athlete is going to come back even stronger than before, because of the daily rehab, which is pretty hard and sometimes feels even impossible."
And despite the setback, his outlook on the sport hasn't changed.
If anything, it has only strengthened his drive.
"Not at all," Delibosov said when asked if the injury has changed the way he sees volleyball. "I still want to be back, but now even more hungry to play and show my full potential."
His goals remain simple.
"I will start practicing really hard so I can catch up to my teammates, and together we can continue growing and winning a lot of games," he said. "My goal is to progress and continue pushing forward. It doesn't matter how fast I go — it matters how far I will go."
#GoMatadors
