In the realm of professional volleyball, where towering athletes dominate the scene, being vertically challenged can seem like a disadvantage.
However, it’s essential to remember that height doesn’t always determine success. Take, for instance, a group of remarkable women in the sport.
Shortest Female Volleyball Players: In FIVB, AVP, and NORCECA beach volleyball circuits, the likes of Megumi Murakami (Japan), Katie Spieler (USA), and Natalia Alfaro (Costa Rica) defy their 5’5″ (165 cm) height, excelling as high-level players. Megumi Murakami boasts the most international success.
Out of these players, six are currently playing as pros, and two have retired. Four of them are pros in indoor volleyball, and three are doing great in beach volleyball competitions. Meanwhile, one of them is still in college, pursuing her volleyball dreams.
These women exemplify the power of skill, determination, and passion, proving that in the world of volleyball, your height may define your reach, but it doesn’t limit your potential for greatness.
The Shortest Women in Professional Indoor Volleyball
Among the indoor players, we’ve got more setters than liberos, which is quite surprising!
1. Deborah Green-Vargas (Debbie) – Height: 162cm (5 feet 4 inches)
One of the most famous short volleyball players is Debbie Green-Vargas. Despite being the shortest on the court, she won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics and is celebrated as one of the USA’s best setters.
She’s retired now, but you can find plenty of her old game videos online. Even though the game has changed, Debbie’s success remains impressive.
2. Jamenea Ferrer (Jem) – Height: 157cm (5 feet 2 inches)
Jem, a Filipino player, has been in the PVL for nearly a decade. Despite being taller than Ella, she’s considered tiny because she’s a setter.
In volleyball, tall setters are valuable for a 5-1 rotation, while shorter ones often use a 6-2 offense. Jem is experienced and currently plays for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL.
3. Jorella (Ella) Marie de Jesus – Height: 152cm (4 feet 11.8 inches)
Ella, a Filipino libero, is only 152cm tall (barely 5 feet), but she’s making a big impact with the Creamline Cool Smashers, who recently won the 2023 PVL invitational conference.
Liberos usually aren’t limited by height, and Ella proves that. Surprisingly, being too tall is sometimes the only problem for liberos.
Granted, 4’11” might seem short even for liberos, as it’s tougher to cover the court effectively with less space. But Ella shows that it’s possible to excel in this position, no matter your height, and you can too!
4. Yoshie Takeshita – Height: 159cm (5 feet 2.5 inches)
Yoshie Takeshita, though retired for ten years now, was an exceptional women’s setter from Japan, despite her small stature. She played over 100 games in the Japanese V.League and earned numerous awards for her setting skills.
In 2012, she even won an Olympic bronze medal. Yoshie is truly inspirational, reaching the highest level of the game and enjoying a remarkable and successful career.
Beach Volleyball Players Who Are The Shortest
In beach volleyball, being tall matters more than indoor volleyball. With only two players covering the court, longer legs make things easier.
That’s why the players on this list, who are 5’5″ tall, compete in pro beach tours like NORCECA, FIVB, and AVP, where height counts.
1. Katie Spieler – Height: 165cm (5 feet 5 inches)
Katie Spieler, hailing from Santa Barbara, California, is a small but thrilling female beach volleyball player. She’s a master of offensive moves and knows just the right shot for every situation.
To compete at the highest level, especially when you’re shorter, requires immense determination and grit. At 27 years old (born in 1994), she earned $43,500 playing on the AVP tour.
Her best performance was a 3rd-place finish at AVP Austin in 2018, partnering with Karissa Cook. In the same year, the duo also secured victory at the NORCECA stop in Martinique.
2. Megumi Murakami – Height: 165cm (5 feet 5 inches)
Can a shorter athlete succeed on the FIVB world tour? Yes, Megumi Murakami from Japan proves it’s possible. In 2018, at just 5’5″ tall, she finished 5th in the Gstaad Major, a prestigious event.
Teaming up with her 5’8″ partner, Miki Ishii, they defeated many taller and more established teams. Remarkably, Megumi achieved this at the age of 32.
Short beach volleyball players Murakami, trained rigorously, showcase incredible reactions and creativity. They rely on precision, not power, to excel, making them inspirational figures for aspiring players.
3. Natalia Alfaro – Height: 165cm (5 feet 5 inches)
You might not know about Natalia Alfaro, as she hasn’t played many FIVB events, with her best finish at 25th place. However, standing at just 5’5″ tall (165 cm), she’s earned nearly $23,000 in beach volleyball.
Alongside her partner Karen Cope, they’ve secured numerous silver and bronze medals on the NORCECA tour.
Notably, in 2016, Natalia and her partner made history as the first-ever beach volleyball team from Costa Rica to qualify for the Olympics, even though they were the country’s second-ranked team at the time.
College Volleyball’s Shortest Female Players
If you dream of playing college volleyball but worry about your height, don’t be discouraged. In 2022, there were four of the shortest NCAA volleyball players, all at 5’2″. They excel as liberos or defensive specialists, showing that height isn’t a barrier in the game.
1. Gina Custer – Height: 152cm (5 feet)
Despite her petite stature at 152cm (5 feet), Gina impresses as a skilled libero with her exceptional abilities on the volleyball court. Her determination and talent show that size is not a limitation in the game.
The Minimum Height Requirement for Female Volleyball Players
There isn’t a fixed height for volleyball players, as it varies by league and organization. Generally, competitive female players are around 5’7″ or taller, which helps with reach and power. Shorter players can still succeed but may need to work harder.
College and professional volleyball often have specific height rules. Different positions, like setters and outside hitters, may have different requirements. Gaining height isn’t really an option, but improving skills and fitness can compensate.
So, while taller players have advantages, determination, and skill can overcome height limitations in volleyball.
The Height of Female Olympic Volleyball Players
The women’s Olympic squad from the United States adopted their name following the 2016 Summer Olympics. Alaysha stands at 1 meter in height, while Thompson and Ranael Adams are 1.81 meters (5’11”) and 1.75 meters (5’9″) tall, respectively.
What’s fascinating is that Thompson’s height increased by 7.8 meters (18 feet 7 inches), and Ranael Adams experienced a 7.8-meter (6 feet 1 inch) growth.
How Can These Women Compete In Such A Tall Sport?
What makes these women exceptional in a sport where height is often crucial? Part of the answer lies in the leagues they compete in, like Ella and Jem in the Filipino league, where taller opponents are less common.
Yoshie benefits from Japan’s shorter average height in the V.League. Additionally, all of them play as liberos or setters, positions where height matters less because they’re not primarily involved in hitting or blocking.
Their success comes down to exceptional skills rather than towering stature, showcasing the importance of technical ability in volleyball, especially for shorter players.
FAQs About Shortest Female Volleyball Players
Q:1 What is the average height of female volleyball players?
The average height of female volleyball players can vary depending on the level of competition and the region.
However, in professional and international volleyball, players are often taller, with an average height of around 6 feet (183 cm) or more. Shorter players, like liberos and setters, are exceptions.
Q:2 Are there any short female volleyball players in professional leagues?
Yes, there are short female volleyball players who excel in professional leagues, particularly in positions like libero and setter. These players rely on their exceptional skills and agility to make up for their shorter stature.
Q:3 Can shorter female players be successful in beach volleyball?
While height can be an advantage in beach volleyball due to the larger court, shorter female players can still be successful by developing strong defensive skills, quick reactions, and precise ball control.
Players like Megumi Murakami have demonstrated that height is not a barrier to success in beach volleyball.
Q:4 Do shorter female volleyball players face challenges in certain positions?
In positions like middle blocker and opposite hitter, height can be advantageous for spiking and blocking. Shorter players often gravitate toward positions like libero and setter, where height matters less, and technical skills play a crucial role.
Q:5 What is the key to success for shorter female volleyball players?
Shorter female volleyball players can succeed by honing their technical abilities, such as precise ball placement, quick reactions, and excellent defensive skills.
They also benefit from playing in leagues where height diversity is more common, allowing them to compete effectively.
Conclusion:
In the world of professional volleyball, where height often reigns supreme, a group of remarkable women challenges the notion that being vertically challenged is a disadvantage.
Players like Megumi Murakami, Katie Spieler, and Natalia Alfaro, all standing at 5’5″, defy conventions, excelling in high-level beach volleyball circuits like FIVB, AVP, and NORCECA.
These athletes showcase that height may define your reach but does not limit your potential for greatness.
Moreover, in professional indoor volleyball, shorter players like Debbie Green-Vargas, Jem, Ella, and Yoshie Takeshita have made their mark, emphasizing the significance of skill and determination over stature.
These stories inspire us to believe that in volleyball, the sky is not the limit; it’s just the starting point.
After reading this detailed article, we hope you have a good understanding of the shortest female volleyball players. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!