7 Shortest Female Volleyball Players 2024

Volleyball is often considered a sport for tall individuals, implying that achieving a high level of play may be challenging if you lack height. 

The short answer is no, but if you happen to be a shorter volleyball player, it’s worth remembering that success is still attainable, even in the face of height limitations.

Shortest female volleyball players prove height isn’t a barrier to success, excelling in both indoor and beach volleyball. The shortest female to ever play professional volleyball was Jorella Marie de Jesus, a Filipino international player who stood at just 152 cm, equivalent to 5 feet.

It’s worth noting that this player, Jorella Marie de Jesus, served as a Libero, which provides insight into how a smaller athlete can excel in the sport.

So let’s start!

Shortest Female Professional Indoor Volleyball Players

Among the indoor players on this list, there is a surprising predominance of setters over liberos.

Jorella Marie “Ella” de Jesus – 152cm (4’11.8″)

Born on August 17, 1993, Jorella Marie “Ella” de Jesus is a Filipino volleyball player known for her time as a member of the Ateneo de Manila University’s collegiate varsity team, a period spanning from 2011 to 2015.

Standing at a mere 152cm, which is just 5 feet in height, Ella currently plays for the Creamline Cool Smashers, a team that recently emerged victorious in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference.

Frequently, I emphasize that height seldom proves to be a limiting factor for liberos, and Ella serves as an excellent illustration of this notion.

Since their role is purely defensive, the requirement of height for success is virtually nonexistent.

Moreover, smaller individuals tend to exhibit greater agility and quicker movements, as it’s easier to accelerate a smaller body than a larger one.

It’s worth noting that even at 4’11”, some may consider this height to be on the shorter side for a libero position. Smaller stature can make it more challenging to effectively cover the entire court due to the limited reach.

Ella’s ability to excel in her role as a libero serves as a testament that height limitations can be overcome, and her success offers inspiration for aspiring players of smaller stature.

Jamenea Ferrer (Jem) – 157cm (5’2″)

Jamenea “Jem” Ferrer, a distinguished Filipina volleyball player, earned the prestigious title of 3-time UAAP best setter while representing the Ateneo University Lady Eagles volleyball team.

Playing in the PVL for nearly a decade, Jamenea “Jem” Ferrer, while somewhat taller than Ella, is still considered relatively small due to her role as a setter.

Setters are ideally expected to be tall, athletic, left-handed, and equipped with a good vertical jump. This height requirement is primarily because setters often assume the right-side position in the front court.

Jem is undeniably one of the more seasoned PVL players, and she is presently under contract with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

Deborah Green-Vargas (Debbie) – 162cm (5’4″)

Debbie Green-Vargas, an American retired volleyball player and coach, is renowned as the greatest American women’s volleyball setter of all time.

Olympic silver medalist setter Debbie Green describes the experience of being “the shortest volleyball player” on the team.

Debbie Green-Vargas, arguably one of the most famous short volleyball players, garnered significant attention during her career for consistently being the shortest player on the court.

Green-Vargas, a member of the U.S. National Team, achieved an impressive feat by winning the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Although she has long since retired, it’s noteworthy that there is a surprisingly large amount of gameplay footage of her available online.

Despite the notable differences in the game of volleyball during her era, this fact doesn’t diminish the prolific success that Debbie achieved as a player.

Yoshie Takeshita – 159cm (5’2.5″)

Yoshie Takeshita, a retired Japanese volleyball player, was a member of JT Marvelous. She has also served as the Head Coach of the Japanese volleyball team Victorina Himeji and currently holds the position of Executive Adviser.

Despite her small stature, Yoshie Takeshita was one of Japan’s best-ever women’s setters.

Part of the 2010 Japanese Women’s team that won bronze at the world championships, Yoshie Takeshita played a crucial role in their victory, which included beating the US in the bronze medal match.

Playing in over 100 games in the Japanese V League, Yoshie Takeshita managed to accumulate a significant number of awards for her outstanding setting performance over the years.

Yoshie Takeshita serves as an inspiration, having not only reached one of the highest levels of the game but also achieved remarkable success over the years, making her career truly exceptional.

List Of Shortest Female Volleyball Players

In 2022, the four shortest Div 1 NCAA volleyball players, all of whom are liberos or defensive specialists, stood at just 5’2″ in height.

Transitioning to Division 2, there are a couple of players who stand at a mere 5’1″ in height.

In Division 3, we find Gina Custer, a senior defensive specialist standing at just 5 feet in height.

Shortest Female Beach Volleyball Players

In beach volleyball, height plays a more significant role compared to indoor volleyball.

It’s no surprise that the beach volleyball players on this list are slightly taller than their indoor counterparts, with each of them standing at 5’5″. These athletes compete in professional beach volleyball tours, including NORCECA, FIVB, and AVP federations.

Megumi Murakami – 165cm (5’5″)

Megumi Murakami, a Japanese beach volleyball player, participated in the 2020 Summer Olympics. She is known for her skills and achievements in the sport of beach volleyball.

Standing at just 165 cm (5’5″), Megumi Murakami consistently outperforms much taller international opponents, some of whom exceed 1.80 meters (5’11”).

First and foremost, she applies pressure to her opponents through strong and precise serves. Additionally, you’ll observe her team employing various offensive strategies, including quick and occasionally long sets designed to evade blockers. However, perhaps their most significant strength lies in their exceptional defensive skills.

Katie Spieler – 165cm (5’5″)

Katie Spieler, a Professional Beach Volleyball Player, represents Team USA on the international stage. She is also a participant in the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Pro Tour within the United States.

At just 5’5, Katie Spieler, the shortest AVP pro, has shattered both physical and mental stereotypes associated with this sport.

With unwavering dedication, Katie Spieler strives to compete at the highest level of beach volleyball, a pursuit fully supported by OOFOS, an official partner of the AVP and a proud sponsor of Spieler.

Natalia Alfaro – 165cm (5’5″)

Hailing from Costa Rica, Nathalia Alfaro Paniagua is a beach volleyball player who participated in the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2005 during the Acapulco stage, forming a partnership with Ingrid Morales.

A true volleyball dynamo, Natalia Alfaro, standing at 165cm, has proven to be a force to be reckoned with despite her relatively short stature.

Thanks to her exceptional skills, lightning-quick reflexes, and flawless technique, she has become a valuable member of her team.

Throughout her career, she has earned the admiration of fans and fellow athletes for her ability to read the game and execute precise plays.

Inspiring aspiring female volleyball players to reach for greatness, her journey proves that passion, determination, and skill can overcome physical limitations, regardless of their height.

Also Read: Best Volleyball Positions For Short Players in 2024