Rado Parapunov

Rado Parapunov is a Bulgarian opposite who built his senior identity around left-handed power, a high contact point and the ability to carry a large share of an offense. He emerged from CSKA Sofia before taking an uncommon development route to the University of Hawai‘i, where he became one of the leading attackers in NCAA volleyball and helped the Rainbow Warriors win the 2021 national championship. That experience gave him a foundation in a system that emphasized serving pressure, transition attacking and the physical responsibility expected from a primary right-side scorer.

After college, Parapunov played professionally in Serbia, Iran, Germany and Poland, collecting experience across leagues with different tactical rhythms and foreign-player rules. He also became a regular option for Bulgaria, where his role has centered on high-ball scoring, back-row attacking and serving from the right side. At his best, he can simplify difficult possessions by creating a reliable terminal option when the pass pulls the setter away from the middle.

Parapunov stepped away from club volleyball for the 2025–26 season after dealing with physical issues, but his career did not end there. He returned to CSKA Sofia and appears on the club’s 2026–27 European roster, bringing an experienced opposite back to the organization where his senior path began. The move is a meaningful reset after a career that had already taken him through the NCAA, Serbia, Iran, Germany and Poland. It also restores the direct connection between Parapunov and CSKA, the club that first gave him a senior platform before his long period abroad.

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