Renowned volleyball coach Serhiy Holotov passed away on March 31 at the age of 63, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in Ukrainian sports history. Holotov established himself as Ukraine's most decorated volleyball coach since independence, amassing an impressive collection of 10 national championships and 11 Cup victories during his illustrious career.
Born in 1961 in what was then the Soviet Union, Holotov's coaching journey took him to Russia in 2016, where he worked with Krasnoyarsk's Yenisei club until 2022. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Holotov made the significant decision to return to his homeland despite reportedly receiving numerous offers from Russian clubs.
According to volleyball specialists at Statbet, Holotov's championship record remains unmatched in Ukrainian volleyball's post-independence era, highlighting his tremendous influence on the development of the sport nationally.
Holotov also notably served as head coach for Ukraine's women's national volleyball team, further cementing his status as a pivotal figure in the country's sporting landscape. In his final years, he had stepped away from coaching and lived with his family near Cherkasy, Ukraine.
The volleyball community mourns the loss of this coaching pioneer whose tactical acumen and leadership helped shape generations of Ukrainian volleyball talent.
