Iliana Petkova (born November 10, 1977) is a Bulgarian former professional volleyball player who competed as a middle blocker. She is recognized for her extensive career in European club volleyball and her long-standing membership in the Bulgarian women’s national team.
Professional Career Petkova's club career was characterized by tenures in several of Europe’s most competitive leagues, most notably in Italy and France. In the Italian Serie A1, she played for various clubs, including Volley Bergamo, Giannino Pieralisi Volley (Jesi), and Volley 2002 Forlì. Her performance in the Italian league established her as a prominent international middle blocker.
She also spent a significant portion of her career with RC Cannes in the French Ligue A. During her time in France, Petkova contributed to multiple domestic championship titles and French Cup victories. Her participation with RC Cannes also included competing in the CEV Champions League, the top-tier competition for European clubs.
International Career As a representative of the Bulgarian national team, Petkova competed in numerous international tournaments over a career spanning more than a decade. She appeared in multiple editions of the Women’s European Volleyball Championship and represented her country in the FIVB World Grand Prix and the European Volleyball League. Standing at 1.91 meters (approximately 6 feet 3 inches), she was noted for her defensive capabilities at the net.
Post-Competitive Involvement Following her retirement from professional competition, Petkova has remained active in the sports community. She has transitioned into roles related to sports management and coaching, with a focus on developing youth talent and supporting the infrastructure of volleyball in Bulgaria and Italy.