Darina Naneva has spent most of her life around basketball that it almost feels criminal that she is currently one of the most promising volleyball players in the world.

At only 15 years, the Bulgarian middle blocker has taken the FIVB Girls’ Under-19 World Championship by storm with her powerful spikes, solid blocks and lethal serves, returning an impressive 75 points in six matches played so far.

She posted 11 points as Bulgaria swept aside Mexico in straight sets on Tuesday in the Round of 16 to storm the quarterfinals where they will take on Brazil on Friday 9:15 pm local time.

And the 192cm-tall Darina has been at the centre of it all, emerging as Bulgaria’s second-best scorer so far despite being the youngest player in the team. Only outside hitter Kalina Veneva (79) has earned more points for Bulgaria so far.

“I am happy with our progress. The team is getting better and better with every game. I hope we can keep improving till the end. I know we can do it…we just need to give our best,” said Darina, who was part of the Bulgarian team that won the European Under-18 Championship last year.

Born in a household that eats, drinks and sleeps basketball, Darina looked destined to follow a similar path until she stumbled upon volleyball. To put into perspective, both of Darina’s parents, her father Ilko Nanev and mother Radostina Slavova-Naneva, were professional basketball players and represented Bulgaria in various international competitions.

Therefore, it was only natural that young Darina was attracted to the orange and brown ball and follow in the footsteps of her parents. However, fate led her to volleyball and she has never looked back ever since she first came to contact with the blue and yellow ball at VC Maritza’s academy at the age of 8.

“I really wanted to play basketball because of my parents but unfortunately there was no women’s team in Plovdiv where I was raised. That’s why I moved to volleyball…I didn’t like it at first but gradually I felt like it was my thing,” began Darina.

“Interestingly, my parents didn’t want me to play basketball since it’s a contact sport so they were happy when I chose volleyball,” she added amid a chuckle.

Darina and volleyball fit like hand in glove and under the tutelage of Coach Diyan Boyukliev, she was quickly promoted to VC Maritza’s senior team. Last year, she made her first professional move at only 15, joining Serbian club Jedinstvo Stara Pazova.

In the 2024-2025 season, Jedinstvo Stara Pazova won silver in the Serbian SuperCup and finished fifth in the league.

“It’s a new team that has been together for only one season so I think we did well. The Serbian league is more competitive compared to the Bulgarian league and has helped me improve as a player,” said Darina, who emerged Best Middle Blocker in the 2024 CEV U18 Volleyball European Championship.

"My dream is to play in the Italian or Turkish leagues because they are the best in the world. I hope to play for the best teams in these two leagues in future."

So far, her national team season has been as fulfilling as her club season. She was a surprise inclusion in Bulgaria’s women’s team roster for this year’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and was actually fielded by Coach Antonina Zetova against the Netherlands and Canada.

“It came as a surprise but I’m happy I got this opportunity. I’m so young and playing at such a level even for a few minutes is so exciting. Playing against star players like (Kiera) Van Ryk is amazing!” said Darina about her substitute appearances in the VNL.

Despite making her senior team and VNL debut at 15 years, Darina is the epitome of humility and has quickly integrated with her junior teammates at this World Championship.

“I know I’m not better than my teammates or special in any way. We are all equal and should always be like this,” said Darina, oozing wisdom beyond her age.

Interestingly, Darina lists legendary Brazilian middle blockers Thaísa Daher de Menezes and Ana Carolina Da Silva as her role models but she has hinted at switching to opposite later on in her career.

“When I play well, I like my position but when I don’t play well, I don’t like it. I enjoy spiking more than blocking so it’s my dream to play opposite but for now I like my position. I’ve kind of gotten used to it having played as a middle blocker from the beginning,” noted Darina who has recorded 49 spike kills and 12 stuff blocks en route the quarterfinals.

Currently the best server in the World Championship with 14 aces, Darina’s serves will certainly form part of Coach Atanas Petrov’s arsenal in the knockout phase as Bulgaria chase a maiden World Championship title in this age category.

“Throughout the season, my serve was terrible. I couldn’t make like two in a row inside the court but I have consistently worked on it in training and I’m happy the results are beginning to show,” said Darina, who has tipped the reigning European champions to achieve a podium finish in Osijek.

“We have been together for a year and have developed as a team under Coach Petrov. He has helped us improve our technique and mentality. If we make it to the top three it will be amazing. We really dream about it and have been working hard for it, I hope our dream will come true.”