Filled with athletes, both young and adult, striving to make a name for themselves, women’s volleyball is an extremely competitive sport where participants give their all.

Over the years, witnessing the dominance of many tall female volleyball players, especially those in the middle blocker or opposite hitter positions, who tend to be taller than the rest.

With their towering presence on the court, players like Yuan Xinyue or Nelly Alisheva have inspired countless others to take up this sport.

Young girls, feeling awkward, insecure, or embarrassed about their height, look at these superstars and feel relieved, knowing their height is a gift that, when honed properly, will help them unlock their hidden potential.

In this article, exploring and celebrating the achievements of these tall female volleyball players, we’ll also discuss how height can give you an edge in this sport and the potential drawbacks it might bring.

So Let’s Start!

Top 12 Tallest Female Volleyball Players in the Scene

Providing a rundown of 12 of the tallest female volleyball players in professional volleyball who have made a solid name for themselves.

1. Nelly Alisheva

Height: 208 cm
Born: 20th December 1983
Nationality: Russia
Current Team: Retired (VK Proton)
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

As one of the tallest female volleyball players to grace the game, Nelly Alisheva’s towering presence on the court as a middle-blocker makes her a formidable player to go up against.

Commencing her career at MGFSO, Nelly Alisheva later moved to Dinamo-Yantar, where she stayed for a significant part of her career from 2003 to 2011.

Following her tenure at Dinamo-Yantar, Nelly Alisheva transferred to Omitchka Omsk for the seasons spanning 2011 to 2013. Subsequently, she joined VK Proton until her retirement.

Securing the bronze for her national team in both the World Grand Prix and Montreux Volley Masters tournaments, Nelly Alisheva’s notable achievements also include being awarded the title of Best Spiker in the 2005 to 2006 season.

2. Alba Hernandez

Height: 207 cm
Birthdate: 3rd October, 1994
Nationality: Puerto Rico
Current Team: Criollas de Caguas
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

With her towering 2.07 m stature, Alba Hernadez is another formidable figure on the volleyball court, akin to Nelly Alisheva. Playing as the middle blocker, she represents Puerto Rico.

Commencing her club volleyball career with the team Gigantes de Carolina in 2014, Alba Hernadez subsequently made transfers to different clubs, where she stayed for one or two seasons in the following years.

Since 2021, Alba Hernadez has been a member of the Criollas de Caguas club, currently playing as the middle blocker.

Contributing to her national team, Puerto Rico, by securing multiple national and silver medals across various tournaments, Alba Hernandez’s notable individual accomplishment as the Best Middle Blocker in the NORCECA Challenger Cup Qualification 2024 stands out as another major highlight of her career.

3. Merete Lutz

Height: 206 cm
Birthdate: 7th November 1994
Nationality: USA
Current Team: Retired (Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia)
Playing Position: Opposite Hitter

Hailing from the United States, Merte Lutz, an Opposite hitter standing tall at 2.06 m, boasts an impressive track record as an offensive powerhouse in both club and college-level volleyball.

Crowned the 18th player to score 1000 kills in College Volleyball during her tenure with Stanford in the 2016/2017 season, Merte Lutz later went on to win the gold in the tournament with her team.

Commencing her career at Stanford playing in their Women’s College Volleyball Team, Merete Lutz later transitioned to the Italian club Cuore di Mamma Cutrofiano. The last team she played for before retirement was Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia.

4. Dana Rettke

Height: 204 cm
Birthdate: 21st January 1999
Nationality: USA
Current Teams: Vero Volley Milano
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

Next up is Dana Rettke, a middle blocker from the USA, whose impressive height of 2.04 m is a significant asset for such a young player and makes her a prime candidate for being the tallest college volleyball player in the world.

Born in 1999, Dana Rettke started her career playing for the Wisconsin University Women’s Volleyball team in 2017. Currently, she is a member of the Vero Volley Milano team in Italy.

Earning notable achievements in the sport, Dana Rettke was crowned the MVP and the Best Middle Blocker in the 2021/2022 NCAA season. Additionally, she received the award for being the Best Spiker in the 2022/2023 Champions League.

5. Magdalena Stysiak

Height: 203 cm
Birthdate: 3rd December 2000
Nationality: Poland
Current Team: Fenerbahçe Opet
Playing Position: Opposite Hitter

Magdalena Stysiak, another young star in volleyball from Poland, specializes in her role as an Opposite hitter, boasting a height of 2.03 m. Already a legend, her offensive presence on the net has become iconic.

Embarking on her journey with the Polish club SMS PZPS Szczyrk in 2014 at a pretty early age, Magdalena Stysiak switched clubs quite often throughout her career. For the 2023/2024 season, she is serving as the Opposite hitter for the Turkish team Fenerbahçe Opet.

With an already impressive track record in the game, Magdalena Stysiak has earned multiple Best Scorer awards in the Olympics. Additionally, she has received awards for being the Best Server and Best Middle Blocker on several occasions.

6. Yuan Xinyue

Height: 203 cm
Birthdate: 21st December 1996
Nationality: China
Current Team: Tianjin Bohai Bank
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

A true master of the game, Yuan Xinyue plays as the middle blocker for the Chinese Volleyball Women’s team. Her deadly combination of height and skill in the position makes her a force to be reckoned with.

Commencing her career playing for the Bayi Kemen Noodle Manufacturing club in 2009, Yuan Xinyue stayed with the club until the 2009/2010 season.

Having transferred to Guangdong Evergrande for the 2013/2014 season and briefly returning to her former club the following year, Yuan Xinyue currently plays for Tianjin Bohai Bank.

With a highly decorated career, Yuan Xinyue boasts multiple MVPs and Best Middle-Blocker awards to her name.

Playing a dominant role, Yuan Xinyue contributed significantly to China winning the Olympics in the sport in 2016. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in securing two FIVB World Cup gold medals for China in 2015 and 2019.

7. Anna Kajalina

Height: 203 cm
Birthdate: 8th March 8, 1991
Nationality: Estonia
Current Team: Municipal Olympique Mougins Volley-Ball
Playing Position: Opposite Hitter

An Estonian Opposite hitter, Anna Kajalina, stands at a height of 2.03 m, making her an offensive powerhouse. Renowned for her powerful spike, as well as her exceptional positioning sense.

Having been a part of 10 different clubs so far throughout her career, Anna Kajalina made her debut club appearance with Noortekoondis/Pirita in 2005.

Currently playing for the French team Municipal Olympique Mougins Volleyball, Anna Kajalina has added her skills and prowess to their lineup.

While not having as many individual awards as the other players on this list, Anna Kajalina has a pretty impressive record with her clubs.

Claiming gold in French League A, silver in the Italian Cup, and many more, Anna Kajalina has notable tournament achievements to her name.

8. Valentina Diouf

Height: 203 cm
Birthdate: 10th January 1993
Nationality: Italy
Current Team: ŁKS Commercecon Łódź
Playing Position: Opposite Hitter

Playing for ŁKS Commercecon Łódź, Valentina Diouf is an Italian volleyball superstar standing at a height of 2.03 m. She plays as an opposite hitter for the team.

Starting her career with Club Italia in 2008, Valentina Diouf quickly made a name for herself due to her strong offensive presence and powerful spikes. She subsequently transferred between different clubs, with each stint lasting one or two seasons.

Winning the World Championship U20, the Mediterranean Games, and the Junior European Championships with her national team, Valentina Diouf boasts impressive international achievements. In terms of individual awards, she claimed the titles of Best Spiker, Best Opposite, and Best Scorer in the TAURON Liga 2022/23.

9. Yulia Merkulova

Height: 202 cm
Birthdate: 17th February 1984
Nationality: Russia
Current Team: Retired (Zarechie Odintsovo)
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

An unforgettable name in women’s volleyball, Yulia Merkulova has left a lasting mark on the sport.

Standing tall at 2.02 m, Yulia Merkulova, an impactful figure in women’s volleyball, played as the middle blocker for both her national and club teams. Before her retirement, she used to play for Zarechie Odintsovo.

Unlike the players of today, Yulia Merkulova, with a remarkable career, played for only three clubs. Making her debut with Zarechie Odintsovo in 2000, she stayed there until the end of the 2008/09 season. Subsequently, she played for Dinamo Krasnodar and Dinamo Moscow before making a return to her debut club in 2013.

Titled the Best Spiker in the Russian Superleague 2008/09 season and Best Blocker in the Russian Cup 2006/07 season, Yulia Merkulova showcased her excellence. Additionally, for her national team, she played a pivotal role in securing two World Championship titles in 2010 and 2016.

10. Daria Malygina

Height: 202 cm
Birthdate: 4th April 1994
Nationality: Russia
Current Teams: Leningradka Saint Petersburg
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

Originating from Russia, Daria Malygina is another prominent middle blocker, standing at an impressive height of 2.02 m. She currently plays for the Leningradka Saint Petersburg club.

Undergoing significant changes throughout her career so far, Daria Malygina began her journey in the Dynamo Kazan U20 Academy before transitioning to the main roster. Notable stops in her career include clubs such as Sakhalin, Tulitsa Tula, and Dinamo-Metar.

Crowned the Best Blocker in the Russia Superleague for the 2022/23 season, Daria Malygina boasts notable achievements, including winning multiple gold titles for her club in various tournaments. Furthermore, she secured a silver medal for her national team in the Montreux Volley Masters in 2018.

11. Floriana Bertone

Height: 202 cm
Birthdate: 19th November 1992
Nationality: Italy
Current Team: Cuore di Mamma Cutrofiano
Playing Position: Middle Blocker

A name impossible to overlook when discussing the tallest female volleyball players, Floriana Bertone stands tall at 2.02 m. Specializing in the middle blocker position, she showcases her prowess on the volleyball court.

Making her debut with Club Italia in 2007, Floriana Bertone stayed with the club until 2011. During her time there, she had Valentina Douf as her teammate for two years, and together, they dominated the scene.

While not achieving the same level of personal decorations as Douf, Floriana Bertone has still managed to lead her national team to notable victories. These include claiming gold in the World Championship U20, Mediterranean Games, and Junior European Championship in different years.

12. Brayelin Martinez

Height: 201 cm
Birthdate: 11th September 1996
Nationality: Dominican Republic
Current Teams: Dinamo-Ak Bars
Playing Position: Outside Hitter

At only 27 years of age, Brayelin Martinez stands out as the shortest player on this list, yet she remains a formidable outside hitter with her impressive 2.01 m stature. Currently showcasing her skills with the Leningradka Saint Petersburg club, Martinez continues to make her mark in the world of volleyball.

Despite her youth, Brayelin Martinez already boasts a notable career with the potential for even greater achievements ahead. Having been a part of 10 different clubs, she made her debut on the National Dominican Republic Women’s Volleyball team.

With around 37 different personal awards under her belt, Brayelin Martinez holds the impressive rank of 47th as the best women’s volleyball player in the world. In a remarkable feat, she was also awarded the title of Best Outside Hitter in three different tournaments in the same year, 2023.

The Advantage of Height in Volleyball

Significantly affecting team dynamics and volleyball strategies, the height of the players plays a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the game.

Taller players in volleyball enjoy several key benefits.

Spiking Power:

Known for their excellence in making offensive plays, tall volleyball players possess the advantage of achieving a steeper angle when spiking the ball.

This makes it more difficult for the opponent to defend, as the ball is coming from a higher point with increased power, adding to the challenge of their defensive efforts.

Blocking Capacity:

Taller players, with their ability to cover more area at the net, have an easier time defending against tips and setter dumps. This is due to their capacity to react quickly to short plays, leveraging their height advantage in defensive maneuvers.

Leveraging their height advantage, taller players can also reach over the net to effectively block incoming spikes from the opponent.

Serving and Receiving:

Playing a crucial role in the serving and receiving strategies of a team, height becomes a significant factor. Tall players, benefiting from their stature, can execute powerful jump serves with precision, capitalizing on the advantage of getting a better angle on the volleyball.

On the receiving end, taller players, due to their height, can more easily handle aggressive jump serves or high float serves compared to their shorter counterparts.

The Challenges Faced by Tall Players

The height of a volleyball player can serve as both a significant asset and a double-edged sword.

Tall players have to contend with several disadvantages, including

Lower Mobility:

Due to their larger frame, taller volleyball players often grapple with reduced mobility compared to average-height players. While their longer limbs may provide a better reach, the challenge lies in executing quick, reflexive movements on the court.

Injury Prone:

Being more susceptible to knee or ankle injuries, taller players face increased stress on their joints due to their height. Nevertheless, implementing proper conditioning and strength training can certainly mitigate the risks of injuries.

Endurance Issues:

Managing endurance poses another challenge for tall volleyball players. Due to their height, they need to expend more energy during performance, resulting in quicker fatigue. Therefore, it becomes crucial for tall volleyball players to incorporate proper cardiovascular conditioning into their training sessions.

Impact on Team Dynamics and Volleyball Strategies

Being an intimidating force at the net, tall female volleyball players can compel opponents to reevaluate their strategies. The inclusion of tall players on the team also creates multiple tactical opportunities, leveraging their height advantage to enhance the team’s overall performance.

Better Offensive and Defensive Options:

Usually, the tallest players on the team, middle blockers, and opposite hitters in volleyball play a crucial role, offering better offensive and defensive options. This is why players in these two positions are typically chosen for their decent height.

For example, opposite hitters with considerable height can deliver electrifying spikes that demolish the opponent’s defenses. Similarly, a middle blocker with significant height can effectively block incoming spikes and execute short plays to catch the defense off guard.

Inspires Confidence:

Boosting team morale, and having tall teammates in volleyball contributes to a dominating presence on the court that inspires others to give their all.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Emerging as role models for young girls, especially teenagers who may often feel insecure about their height, tall female volleyball players serve as inspirations.

Demonstrating that being tall isn’t a disadvantage or something to be embarrassed about, these players highlight how height can be a significant asset on the court.

Inspiring the future generation of athletes, the tall female volleyball stars in the game serve as beacons that encourage young individuals to pick up this sport.

Witnessing players like Nelly Alisheva ruling the volleyball court becomes a source of inspiration for young girls everywhere, fostering a sense of security about their height and motivating them to push their skills to the next level.

Beyond the Height – Skills and Techniques That Count

While a player’s height undoubtedly provides an advantage, particularly in key positions like middle blocker or opposite hitter, it becomes less significant if the player lacks skill in the finer points of the game.

What that means is that height alone will not propel you far in this game. While it is undoubtedly an asset, you also need to diligently hone your offensive and defensive techniques to excel in volleyball.

If you’re a middle blocker, your emphasis should be on enhancing your reaction speed and timing. As the first line of defense, you carry the responsibility of scoring quick points whenever an opportunity arises.

Here are four amazing drills that can help improve your skills as a middle blocker.

A good example of what happens when skill meets height is Yuan Xinyue, the Chinese-born middle blocker.

Achieving an impressive all-round performance at the 2018 Asian Games, Yuan Xinyue led her nation to win eight victories without dropping a single set. Under her leadership, the China National Women’s team claimed the championship title with complete domination over the competition.

An equally versatile role in volleyball, the opposite hitter, much like middle blockers, is a position coaches often prefer to assign to taller players.

To become an elite opposite hitter, excelling in digging for quick attacks and offering crucial support to your setter when needed is paramount.

Being a crucial position, learning everything possible about opposite hitters is essential to build both game knowledge and skill.

Of course, the same sentiment holds for all the other positions in volleyball. In the end, your physical traits can be a gift, but achieving excellence in this sport requires dedicated work on honing your skills.

Average Height Statistics in Women’s Volleyball by Position

Now, let’s delve into data that illustrates the average height of female volleyball players based on their playing positions.

Playing Position	Height (in cm)	Height (in feet/inches)
Outside Hitter	187 cm	6’ 2”
Middle	192 cm	6’ 3”
Opposite	192 cm	6’ 3”
Libero	168 cm	5’ 6”
Setter	183 cm	6’

The Bottom Line

Seemingly an inconvenience to young women, height in volleyball can be a blessing in disguise.

In women’s volleyball, tall players are ideal for crucial roles like middle blocker and opposite hitter. While height isn’t the sole determinant of success (practice is equally important), it undeniably helps players stand out from the rest.

We hope the profiles of the 12 tall female volleyball players can provide insight into how height can be an asset on the path to becoming one of the greats in this sport. Wishing you the best of luck!

Also Read: 7 Shortest Female Volleyball Players 2024

12 Tallest Female Volleyball Players