Game of Life Worries Dimitrova

Sometimes, when soaring to success on the volleyball court, Getty Dimitrova sinks to the depths of her emotions.

“Sometimes I feel like volleyball is all I can do, that it’s all I’m good at, and I worry about that,” she says.

Dimitrova, an engaging 6-foot-4 junior middle blocker for Cal State Northridge, wonders--not with anticipation but trepidation--what life would be like without volleyball.

The 21-year-old Dimitrova doesn’t know, because her days have revolved around the sport since she began playing as a child in her native Bulgaria.

“I’ve always played volleyball, and so far, everything’s come easy,” she said. “But sometimes I worry, ‘What’s next?’

“I’m so scared of life. I’m at an age when you think about the future, and I wonder how it’s going to be.”

While Dimitrova wrestles with fears and insecurities common to someone her age, Northridge opponents are faced with the task of neutralizing an uncommon talent.

“Other teams can’t stop her because she’s so tall, and she’s a very skilled player,” Northridge Coach Lian Lu said. “Offensively, she’s really good.”

Dimitrova led Big Sky Conference players with a .367 hitting percentage, including .388 in conference matches. She also leads the Matadors with 488 kills, averaging 4 1/2 per game, and 137 blocks.

With Dimitrova’s help, the Matadors rebounded from an 0-8 start to post a 16-0 record in conference and win the Big Sky title, earning the right to host this weekend’s conference tournament. At stake is a berth in the NCAA tournament, which begins Dec. 4.

“For the team, it’s been an incredible season,” Dimitrova said. “We’ve been so successful. But now, none of this matters. We’ve got to start over.”

Dimitrova, always tall for her age, started playing volleyball when she was 9. Although she did not consider herself an athlete and still is not a big sports fan, she took to the game immediately.

“I just like to play volleyball,” she said. “Coaches always promoted me because they thought I could help the team.”

Dimitrova’s volleyball prowess led to her acceptance into a sports school in Bulgaria, as well as a place on the country’s junior national team. Her elite prep school catered to the needs of young athletes, with classes scheduled around practice.