Hall of Fame
This native of Bulgaria has developed the FAMU Women’s Volleyball program into one of Division One’s most consistent threats during his 15-year tenure. The Lady Rattlers have won 10 of their 13 MEAC titles during Trifonov’s tenure, including nine (9) straight titles (2001-09), winning 91 consecutive conference matches at one stretch, and 48 straight conference bouts by 3-0 counts - an unprecedented run of dominance likely never to be equaled.
Trifonov has recruited a widely diverse group of talented players both domestically and from abroad, which raised the level of his team’s play, and he challenged his squads with strong non conference schedules, which bore some positive results. His 2003 squad defeated Winthrop (S.C.) University, 3-1 in the opening round of the NCAA Regionals in Atlanta, becoming the first HBCU to claim an NCAA Tournament win. Earlier that season, the Lady Rattlers knocked off SEC power LSU in Baton Rouge and upset nationally-ranked Louisville in a tournament.
But the program reached pinnacle of success in 2004, when his club stunned #1-ranked Nebraska, 3-1 in the finals of the Husker Invitational, becoming the first non-conference team in over 25 years to best Nebraska on their home floor. That FAMU squad would finish the year with a school record 26 wins, including a 3-1 road win over perennial power Long Beach State, before garnering yet another HBCU first.
FAMU was selected to host a 2004 NCAA Regional in Gaither Gymnasium, featuring the University of Florida, Jacksonville University and eventual national champion, Stanford University.
An accomplished volleyball player in his own right in his home country, which he represented as a member of the 1984 Bulgarian Olympic team, Trifonov has fashioned an impressive 295-140 overall record at FAMU, and a 139-5 record against Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference competition, with 10 conference titles and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
