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, only one player โ or in one historic case, two โ earns the title of Most Valuable Player: the athlete who makes the biggest impact when it matters most.
Since the VNL was introduced in 2018, the MVP award has recognized some of the greatest stars in international volleyball. Dominant scorers, inspirational captains, brilliant setters, and even two liberos have all left their mark on the competition. Winning the award reflects a season of consistency, leadership, and unforgettable performances on volleyball’s biggest annual stage.
Below is the complete, verified list of Volleyball Nations League MVP winners in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, updated through the 2025 season. For a detailed explanation of how teams progress through the preliminary phase, qualify for the Finals, and compete for the title, see our complete guide to the VNL format.
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 |
| 2021 | Wallace de Souza & Bartosz Kurek* | Brazil / Poland | Michelle Bartsch-Hackley | United States |
| 2022 | Earvin N’Gapeth | France | Paola Egonu | Italy |
| 2023 | Paweล Zatorski | Poland | Melissa Vargas | Tรผrkiye |
| 2024 | Antoine Brizard | France | Paola Egonu | Italy |
| 2025 | Jakub Kochanowski | Poland | Monica De Gennaro | Italy |
*The 2021 men’s MVP award was shared between two players โ the only time in VNL history this has happened.
The Stories Behind Every VNL MVP
2018 โ Maxim Mikhaylov & Michelle Bartsch-Hackley
The inaugural VNL season set a high standard right away. Russia’s opposite spiker Maxim Mikhaylov was the standout performer of the Finals in Lille, delivering 19 points in the gold medal match alone โ including 14 attacks, two blocks, and three aces โ as Russia shut out the host nation France 3โ0 to claim the first-ever VNL title.
On the women’s side, Michelle Bartsch-Hackley became one of the driving forces behind the United States’ dramatic championship run. Her all-around game, reliable scoring, and calm performances in pressure moments helped Team USA edge Tรผrkiye in a thrilling five-set final.
2019 โ Matt Anderson & Andrea Drews
One year later, the United States celebrated two individual successes. Matt Anderson claimed the men’s MVP award despite Russia successfully defending their title โ making him the first (and, to date, only) men’s MVP not to come from the tournament champion. His powerful serving, versatility between opposite and outside hitter positions, and ability to score in crucial moments made him the clear individual standout of the competition.
On the women’s side, Andrea Drews confirmed the incredible depth of the American program. Her attacking consistency and clutch performances throughout the tournament helped the United States secure a second consecutive VNL championship.
2021 โ Wallace de Souza & Bartosz Kurek (shared) / Michelle Bartsch-Hackley
After the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the VNL returned inside the unique “Rimini Bubble” in Italy. For the first and only time in VNL history, the men’s MVP award was shared between two players: Brazil’s Wallace de Souza and Poland’s Bartosz Kurek. Both opposite spikers dominated the tournament from different sides of the net โ de Souza powered Brazil to their first-ever VNL title, while Kurek was equally devastating in guiding Poland to the final.
Meanwhile, Michelle Bartsch-Hackley became the first player to win the women’s VNL MVP award twice. Her experience and versatility once again proved invaluable as the United States completed an impressive three-title run in the first four editions of the tournament.
2022 โ Earvin N’Gapeth & Paola Egonu
If there has ever been an MVP who perfectly embodied creativity, it is Earvin N’Gapeth. The French superstar inspired his team to a dramatic five-set victory over the United States in one of the greatest VNL finals ever played. His spectacular attacks, fearless shot-making, and infectious energy lifted France to its first Volleyball Nations League crown.
Italy’s Paola Egonu was equally unstoppable on the women’s side. One of the world’s most dominant opposite hitters, she powered Italy to its maiden VNL title with explosive scoring and remarkable consistency throughout the Finals.
2023 โ Paweล Zatorski & Melissa Vargas
The 2023 season produced arguably the most surprising MVP selection in VNL history โ and one of the most memorable. Poland’s libero Paweล Zatorski became the first defensive specialist ever to win the men’s MVP award, in any edition of the tournament. While Poland boasted star power throughout the roster, Zatorski’s defensive mastery, calm leadership, and ability to read the game from the back row proved decisive as the Poles claimed their first-ever VNL title in front of over 11,000 home fans in Gdaลsk.
On the women’s side, Melissa Vargas produced one of the most dominant individual performances in recent VNL history. Representing Tรผrkiye, the powerful opposite hitter overwhelmed opponents with explosive attacks and devastating serves, playing a decisive role in Tรผrkiye’s first-ever Volleyball Nations League championship.
2024 โ Antoine Brizard & Paola Egonu
France returned to the top of the men’s competition in 2024, and much of that success was built around the brilliance of Antoine Brizard. Rather than filling the scoresheet himself, the French setter controlled the rhythm of every match with intelligent distribution and outstanding decision-making โ proving that great setters influence games in ways statistics cannot fully capture.
For the women, Paola Egonu claimed her second VNL MVP award after leading Italy to another championship, confirming her status as the defining individual of the women’s VNL era.
2025 โ Jakub Kochanowski & Monica De Gennaro
The 2025 season celebrated two remarkable individual stories.
Poland’s Jakub Kochanowski stepped into the captain’s role following injuries to Bartosz Kurek and Aleksander ลliwka and led his team to a flawless run through the Finals in Ningbo, China โ winning all three matches without dropping a single set, including a dominant 3โ0 victory over Italy in the gold medal match. The middle blocker led Poland with outstanding blocking, attacking efficiency, and composed leadership throughout the Finals, earning MVP honors after a dominant championship run.
On the women’s side, the most remarkable individual story belonged to Monica De Gennaro. The 38-year-old Italian libero โ the longest-serving member of the Azzurre squad โ was named MVP after helping Italy to an unbeaten campaign and their third VNL title, defeating Brazil 3โ1 in the final in ลรณdลบ, Poland. She became the first libero in women’s VNL history to receive the MVP award, proving that defensive excellence can be every bit as impactful as offensive brilliance.
Players Who Won Multiple VNL MVP Awards
Only a select group of players have managed to win the Volleyball Nations League MVP award more than once.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (Women’s, 2018 & 2021)
The American outside hitter became the first repeat women’s MVP in tournament history. Her ability to contribute across every phase of the game โ attacking, serving, passing, and defending โ made her the foundation of the United States’ early VNL dynasty.
Paola Egonu (Women’s, 2022 & 2024)
Few players have shaped modern women’s volleyball as profoundly as Paola Egonu. Her explosive attacking, physical dominance, and consistency helped transform Italy into the world’s strongest women’s national team. Two MVP awards in three completed VNL seasons confirm her place among the tournament’s all-time greats.
No men’s player has won the Volleyball Nations League MVP award more than once โ a testament to the remarkable depth and competitiveness of international men’s volleyball.
Which Countries Have Produced the Most VNL MVPs?
| Country | Men’s MVPs | Women’s MVPs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Italy | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Poland | 3* | 0 | 3 |
| France | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Russia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Brazil | 1* | 0 | 1 |
| Tรผrkiye | 0 | 1 | 1 |
*The 2021 shared award is counted for both Poland and Brazil.
Poland lead all nations in men’s individual honors with three MVP awards (2021 shared, 2023, and 2025) โ and notably, two of those three went to libero or middle blocker positions, reflecting a unique team-first philosophy.
Notable Records & Firsts
- First VNL MVP: Maxim Mikhaylov (Russia, men’s) and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (USA, women’s) โ 2018
- Only shared MVP award: Wallace de Souza & Bartosz Kurek โ Men’s 2021
- First libero to win men’s MVP: Paweล Zatorski (Poland) โ 2023
- First libero to win women’s MVP: Monica De Gennaro (Italy) โ 2025
- Only men’s MVP from a non-champion team: Matt Anderson (USA) โ 2019
- Most women’s MVP awards: Michelle Bartsch-Hackley & Paola Egonu (2 each)
- Most men’s MVP awards: no player has won more than once
More Than Just Statistics
Looking through the full list of VNL MVP winners reveals one clear pattern: there is no single formula for becoming the tournament’s most valuable player.
Some MVPs have been unstoppable scorers โ Paola Egonu, Melissa Vargas, Maxim Mikhaylov. Others controlled matches through vision and precision โ Antoine Brizard, and the legendary shared winners of 2021. And then there are the defenders: Paweล Zatorski and Monica De Gennaro, who rewrote what it means to be the best player at a tournament.
That variety is one of the reasons the Volleyball Nations League remains so compelling. Every season rewards a different kind of excellence โ a reminder that volleyball is, at its core, a team sport where greatness can wear many faces.
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