Carlie Pracht
Managing Editor
Bulgaria is the home of mountains, valleys, beaches and is well known for its roses that are exported as rose oil for perfume companies around the world. Bulgaria, specifically the Capital, Sofia, is also the home to sophomore international student Yoana Tsaneva.
Tsaneva attended high school at the International School Uwekind before spending one year at Eastern Wyoming College, and ultimately coming to Butler to play volleyball.
Tsaneva is the oldest of two children in her family, with a 16–year–old sister, Marta, who also plays volleyball. Tsaneva has been playing volleyball for eight years; before volleyball, she also competed in alpine skiing, as well as tennis and swimming.
Tsaneva contacted Lisa Lechtenberg, the Butler volleyball coach, and sent her a highlight video.
“She liked me, and I liked her vision of the team she had for the next season, so I signed a letter of intent with Butler,” Tsaneva said.
Tsaneva said she had a few other options, but she chose Butler because of the coach.
“I liked Coach Lechtenberg’s approach to volleyball and how she coaches her players,” Tsaneva said, also noting that when considering all the factors Butler was the best of her options.
Tsaneva said Butler has probably been the best functioning team relationship wise.
“I really grew a bond with the girls and we would always have so much fun and we would support each other 100%,” Tsaneva said. “There was never drama between us. We would always have each other’s’ back.”
Tsaneva is currently in Nevada with a friend during the Covid-19 pandemic and is struggling with staying active and missing playing volleyball.
“It’s a team sport, but since we can’t meet people, I can’t play,” Tsaneva said. “I was really looking forward to spring season, but we never got to play our tournaments.”
Tsaneva was previously planning to stay in the United States until May before returning to Sofia, Bulgaria, to see her family, so being in Nevada with her best friend during this pandemic has been beneficial.
“I think this is the best option for me because I don’t want to travel during a pandemic because I might get sick and give Corona to someone in my family,” Tsaneva said.
She has not yet made a decision on where she will go after Butler, so she is still exploring her options, but Tsaneva knows she wants to continue playing volleyball and finish her education in the United States, though studying in Europe is also an option she is exploring.
