Every men’s and women’s Volleyball Nations League MVP, the stories behind the awards, repeat winners, country records and the historic firsts that have shaped the competition.
Individual awards often tell the story of a tournament just as much as the final scoreboard. While teams lift the Volleyball Nations League trophy together, the Most Valuable Player award recognizes the athlete whose performance, consistency and influence best defined that edition of the competition.
Since the VNL was introduced in 2018, the MVP list has included dominant scorers, inspirational captains, elite setters and two history-making liberos. In one unique season, the men’s award was even shared by two players. Together, these winners show that there is no single route to becoming the tournament’s most valuable player.
The table below covers every completed VNL edition. For an explanation of the preliminary phase, qualification system and Finals, see our complete guide to the VNL format and rules.
Complete VNL MVP Winners List
| Year | Men’s MVP | Country | Women’s MVP | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Maxim Mikhaylov | Russia | Michelle Bartsch-Hackley | United States |
| 2019 | Matt Anderson | United States | Andrea Drews | United States |
| 2020 | Tournament cancelled | – | Tournament cancelled | – |
| 2021 | Wallace de Souza & Bartosz Kurek* | Brazil / Poland | Michelle Bartsch-Hackley | United States |
| 2022 | Earvin N’Gapeth | France | Paola Egonu | Italy |
| 2023 | Paweł Zatorski | Poland | Melissa Vargas | Türkiye |
| 2024 | Antoine Brizard | France | Paola Egonu | Italy |
| 2025 | Jakub Kochanowski | Poland | Monica De Gennaro | Italy |
| 2026 | Tomasz Fornal | Poland | Melissa Vargas | Türkiye |
*The 2021 men’s MVP award was shared between Wallace de Souza and Bartosz Kurek – the only shared MVP award in VNL history.
The Stories Behind Every VNL MVP Award
2018 – Maxim Mikhaylov and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley
The inaugural VNL season set a high standard immediately. Russia’s opposite Maxim Mikhaylov was the standout performer of the men’s Finals in Lille, delivering 19 points in the gold medal match as Russia defeated host nation France 3-0 to become the first men’s VNL champions.
On the women’s side, Michelle Bartsch-Hackley became one of the driving forces behind the United States’ dramatic title run. Her all-around game, reliable scoring and calm play in pressure moments helped Team USA edge Türkiye in a five-set final.
2019 – Matt Anderson and Andrea Drews
The United States collected both individual honors in 2019, even though only the women won the title. Matt Anderson was named men’s MVP after leading the Americans to the final, where Russia successfully defended their championship. He became the first men’s MVP from a team that did not win the tournament.
Andrea Drews confirmed the depth of the American women’s program. Her attacking consistency and clutch performances helped the United States secure a second consecutive VNL championship.
2021 – Wallace de Souza, Bartosz Kurek and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley
After the cancellation of the 2020 competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VNL returned inside the Rimini bubble in Italy. For the first and only time in tournament history, the men’s MVP award was shared. Brazil’s Wallace de Souza powered his team to their first VNL title, while Poland’s Bartosz Kurek received equal recognition after an outstanding run to the final.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley became the first repeat women’s VNL MVP. Her versatility and experience again proved invaluable as the United States won the first three completed editions of the competition.
2022 – Earvin N’Gapeth and Paola Egonu
Earvin N’Gapeth inspired France to a dramatic five-set victory over the United States in one of the most memorable men’s VNL finals. His creativity, fearless attacking and ability to produce difficult points helped France claim their first title.
Paola Egonu was equally decisive in the women’s tournament. One of the world’s most dominant opposites, she powered Italy to their first VNL championship with explosive scoring and sustained pressure throughout the Finals.
2023 – Paweł Zatorski and Melissa Vargas
Poland’s libero Paweł Zatorski delivered one of the most significant MVP victories in VNL history. His defensive reading, reception and calm leadership helped Poland win their first title in front of a home crowd in Gdańsk, and he became the first libero to receive the men’s award.
Melissa Vargas produced an extraordinary debut campaign for Türkiye. Her explosive attack and powerful serve helped transform the team into first-time champions, while her 227 tournament points and dominant Finals performance earned her the MVP award.
2024 – Antoine Brizard and Paola Egonu
France returned to the top of the men’s competition with Antoine Brizard directing the offense. The setter controlled tempo, distribution and match rhythm, demonstrating how an elite playmaker can shape a tournament without leading the scoring charts.
Paola Egonu claimed her second women’s MVP award after leading Italy to another championship. The achievement placed her alongside Michelle Bartsch-Hackley as a repeat winner and confirmed her status as one of the defining players of the VNL era.
2025 – Jakub Kochanowski and Monica De Gennaro
Jakub Kochanowski stepped into Poland’s captaincy during a difficult period of injuries and led the team through a flawless Finals campaign in Ningbo. Poland won all three knockout matches without dropping a set, and the middle blocker combined efficient attacking, high-level blocking and composed leadership to earn the award.
Monica De Gennaro produced another historic moment for the position. The veteran Italian libero was named MVP after helping Italy complete an unbeaten campaign and win their third VNL title. She became the first libero to win the women’s award and the second libero overall after Zatorski.
2026 – Tomasz Fornal and Melissa Vargas
Tomasz Fornal became the fourth Polish recipient of the men’s award as Poland successfully defended the championship. In the five-set final against the United States, the outside hitter scored 15 points and delivered five aces. His service pressure was especially important during Poland’s fourth-set recovery before the defending champions controlled the tie-break.
Melissa Vargas won her second women’s MVP award after leading Türkiye to another title. She scored 33 points in the 3-1 final victory over Brazil – the highest total recorded by any player in a VNL final in either gender. Her performance included 27 attack points, three aces and three blocks, completing one of the most dominant championship displays in tournament history.
Players Who Have Won Multiple VNL MVP Awards
Three players have won the women’s VNL MVP award more than once. No men’s player has yet repeated the achievement.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley – 2018 and 2021
The American outside hitter became the first repeat MVP in tournament history. Her ability to contribute in attack, reception, serving and defense made her a central figure in the United States’ early VNL dynasty.
Paola Egonu – 2022 and 2024
Egonu’s two awards came in championship seasons for Italy. Her physical dominance, high-volume scoring and ability to decide difficult rallies made her the defining attacking force of both campaigns.
Melissa Vargas – 2023 and 2026
Vargas won both awards while guiding Türkiye to the title. Her first came during a breakthrough debut season, while the second followed a record-setting 33-point performance in the 2026 final. She is the only repeat women’s MVP whose two awards came with Türkiye.
No men’s player has won the VNL MVP award more than once. The list instead reflects the depth and changing competitive cycles of international men’s volleyball, with a different recipient in every completed edition except for the shared award in 2021.
Which Countries Have Won the Most VNL MVP Awards?
| Country | Men’s MVP Awards | Women’s MVP Awards | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| United States | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Italy | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| France | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Türkiye | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Brazil | 1* | 0 | 1 |
| Russia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
*The 2021 shared men’s award is counted for both Brazil and Poland.
Poland and the United States share the overall record with four MVP awards each. Poland lead the men’s competition with four awards from four different players, while the United States have collected one men’s award and three women’s awards. Italy follow with three women’s MVP awards.
Notable VNL MVP Records and Firsts
- First VNL MVPs: Maxim Mikhaylov and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley in 2018.
- Only shared MVP award: Wallace de Souza and Bartosz Kurek in the men’s competition in 2021.
- First men’s libero MVP: Paweł Zatorski of Poland in 2023.
- First women’s libero MVP: Monica De Gennaro of Italy in 2025.
- Most men’s MVP awards by one country: Poland with four.
- Most women’s MVP awards by one country: United States and Italy with three each.
- Most MVP awards by one player: Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, Paola Egonu and Melissa Vargas with two each.
- Record score in a VNL final: Melissa Vargas scored 33 points in the 2026 women’s final, the highest total in either gender.
- MVP recognition without winning the title: Matt Anderson in 2019 and Bartosz Kurek as a shared winner in 2021.
More Than Just Statistics
The complete list of VNL MVP winners reveals one clear pattern: there is no single formula for becoming the tournament’s most valuable player.
Some winners have been unstoppable scorers, including Mikhaylov, Egonu and Vargas. Others have shaped matches through creativity and control, such as Brizard. Fornal combined attack, reception and service pressure, while middle blockers Kochanowski and defensive specialists Zatorski and De Gennaro showed that influence can come from every position on the court.
That variety is one of the reasons the Volleyball Nations League remains compelling. Each edition rewards a different form of excellence and reinforces the idea that volleyball is a team sport in which leadership, tactical value and performance under pressure matter as much as raw scoring totals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the latest VNL MVP winners?
The latest recipients are Tomasz Fornal of Poland in the men’s competition and Melissa Vargas of Türkiye in the women’s competition. Both won the award after helping their teams claim the 2026 titles.
Who has won the most VNL MVP awards?
No men’s player has won more than once. In the women’s competition, Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, Paola Egonu and Melissa Vargas share the individual record with two MVP awards each.
Has a libero ever won the VNL MVP award?
Yes. Poland’s Paweł Zatorski became the first libero to win the men’s award in 2023. Italy’s Monica De Gennaro became the first women’s libero MVP in 2025.
Has the VNL MVP award ever been shared?
Yes, but only once. Brazil’s Wallace de Souza and Poland’s Bartosz Kurek shared the men’s award in 2021 after leading their teams to the final.
Does the MVP always come from the champion?
No. Matt Anderson won the men’s MVP award in 2019 despite the United States losing the final to Russia. Bartosz Kurek also shared the 2021 award after Poland finished second to Brazil.
Why is there no VNL MVP listed for 2020?
The 2020 Volleyball Nations League was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so no men’s or women’s MVP award was presented that year.
Quick Summary
- The VNL MVP award has been presented in every completed edition since 2018.
- The only shared award came in 2021, when Wallace de Souza and Bartosz Kurek were named co-MVPs.
- Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, Paola Egonu and Melissa Vargas share the individual record with two awards each.
- Poland lead the men’s country ranking with four MVP awards.
- Paweł Zatorski and Monica De Gennaro are the two liberos to have won the award.
- Tomasz Fornal and Melissa Vargas are the latest winners after the 2026 season.
Last updated: Following the conclusion of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League season.
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