Cowley volleyball team signs Bulgarian standout
The top-ranked Cowley College volleyball team has signed Ema Duleva from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to begin her college career in the fall of 2026. Duleva will enter Cowley this fall as a freshman and will major in Psychology.
Duleva, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, prepped at Sports School Vasil Levski in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (2021-2024) and 57th Secondary School, "St. Naum Ohridski" in Sofia, Bulgaria (2024-2026). In 2017, she began playing for VC Maritza Plovdiv, considered one of the top three volleyball programs in Bulgaria. In 2020-2021, she was named Future Stars Cup MVP. In 2024, she moved to Sofia, Bulgaria, to play for VC Slavia. In the first half of the 2025 season, she got to play with her older sister, Nikol, as part of the program. Also in the summer of 2025, she trained with the Bulgarian national team.
"Ema is an exciting player who will add a dominant presence to our offense and defense with her powerful attack and all-around abilities. She is such an impact player who can elevate a match with those abilities and confident play," Cowley head coach Steven Gream said. "When we began recruiting her, we saw a very similar style of play to Cowley Volleyball alum and NJCAA DII Player of the Year Laura Bonomi. She brings an aggressive and consistent attack, 'libero-like' defensive and passing skills, an aggressive serve, and a solid block. Ema has played at a high level in some of the best volleyball programs in Bulgaria and has worked with the Bulgarian national team, and we look for her to bring that experience and grow in the college game here at Cowley."
Duleva is the daughter of Matei Dulev and Iva Prandjeva of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.