Nikodinov moved back to California in fall 2000 due to homesickness. She withdrew from the 2001 Goodwill Games due to blurred vision in her left eye caused by viral conjunctivitis. Her coach, Elena Tcherkasskaia, with whom she was very close, died of pancreatic cancer in November 2001. Nikodinov won bronze at the 2001 U.S. Championships and silver at the 2001 Four Continents. She placed 5th in her third appearance at the World Championships.