Shortest Volleyball Player 2024

This article will answer all your questions regarding the shortest volleyball player. Last time we talked about the Tallest Female Volleyball Players, but before we proceed, it’s important to educate our readers about height requirements in volleyball.

Height is often considered an advantage in volleyball, and I have seen numbers of young, passionate volleyball players give up because they think their height is not fit for volleyball. But I’m here to announce to you that several successful volleyball players have debunked this discouraging factor.

Over the years, I have seen a number of short volleyball players making histories in the volleyball space with their remarkable skills and determination.

In this article, we look at some of the shortest volleyball players, their achievements, and the positions where shorter volleyball players excel.

Table of Contents

Shortest Volleyball Player in the World

The title of the shortest professional volleyball player belongs to Joella Marie de Jesus, who is simply known as Ella de Jesus. She is from the Philippines and stands at just 157 cm/1.57 m (4’11”).

Joella Marie “Ella” de Jesus (born on August 17, 1993) is a prominent Filipino volleyball player. She rose to prominence playing for the Ateneo Lady Blue Spikers, winning UAAP championships, notably after the departure of the famed “Fab Five.”

Her career includes national team representation (U23) and successful stints in professional leagues like the PVL, playing for teams such as PLDT Home Ultera, BaliPure, Perlas Spikers, and Creamline Cool Smashers.

De Jesus has several achievements across various leagues, showcasing her skill and perseverance despite her height.

Shortest Volleyball Player in the Olympics

Yoshie Takeshita is known to be the most recent shortest volleyball player in the Olympics. Yoshie Takeshita (born March 18, 1978) is a retired Japanese volleyball player known professionally for her exceptional skills as a setter. She stands at 159 cm (5 ft 3 in).

Historically, Yoshie Takeshita defied the typical height expectations of the volleyball sport in Japan, becoming the shortest but most dominating player in the Japanese volleyball scene.

Takeshita’s received numerous accolades. She played for the JT Marvelous club and was a key member of the Japanese national team, participating in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics. She was part of the Japanese team that won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2010 World Championships.

Before retirement, she earned her numerous awards, including Best Setter at the 2011 FIVB World Cup and the 2011 Asian Championships. She also received the Best Setter award in the Japanese V.League in 2010/11. After retiring from playing in 2012, Takeshita became the head coach of the Victorina Himeji volleyball team and later became the executive advisor for the team.

Shortest Male Volleyball Player

Farhad Zarif of Iran holds the record as the shortest male volleyball player, standing at 165 cm (5’5″). Nevertheless, Zarif has won several international awards as a libero, including titles for best receiver and digger.

Farhad Zarif was born on March 3, 1983, in Mashhad, Iran. He has been able to defy the typical height expectations of the sport, becoming the shortest dominant force in the libero position.

Zarif began his career in the Iranian national team in 2006. He has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, including:

National Team:

Gold Medal: 2011 and 2013 Asian Championships, 2014 Asian Games, 2002 Asian Junior Championship, 2001 Asian Youth Championship
Silver Medal: 2001 World Youth Championship

Club Award:

Gold Medal: 2016 and 2017 Asian Championships (Sarmayeh Bank)

Individual Awards:

Best Digger: 2001 Asian Youth Championship
Best Receiver: 2001 World Youth Championship, 2002 Asian Junior Championship, 2003 World Junior Championship
Best Libero: 2006, 2007, and 2009 Asian Club Championships; 2011 Asian Championship; 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament; 2013 Asian Championship; 2013 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup

Zarif’s exceptional skills as a libero earned him the title of “Best Libero” at the 2013 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s best. He currently plays for Paykan Tehran, a prominent club in Iranian volleyball.

Shortest Female Volleyball Player

Among female athletes, Yoshie Takeshita of Japan is notably the shortest female volleyball player, standing at 159 cm (5’2.5″). Yoshie Takeshita is a Japanese volleyball player who is known for being one of the shortest players in the sport.

She led her teams to multiple international victories and was pivotal in Japan’s bronze medal win at the 2010 World Championship. Here are a few facts about her:

Height: 159 cm (1.59 m)
Position: setter
Born: March 18, 1978
Played for: Japanese national team and various club teams in Japan
Known for: Her exceptional digging and passing skills, as well as her energetic and dynamic playstyle despite her short stature.

Shortest Volleyball Spiker

In spiking, shorter players like Mireya Luis of Cuba (175 cm / 5’9″) have made waves. Luis was known for her incredible vertical jump, allowing her to spike against much taller opponents. Other shortest volleyball spikers include:

Francisco Ruiz
Supattra Pairoj
Chai Yang
Farhad Zarif
Mako Kobata
Laney Choboy

Shortest Volleyball Players in Volleyball History

Below are some of the notable short volleyball players with their heights, countries of origin, the positions they are known for, and their achievements:

Player	Height (cm)	Height (m)	Height (ft)	Country	Position	Notable Achievements
Farhad Zarif	165	1.65	5’5″	Iran	Libero	Best Libero at 2013 World Grand Champions Cup, Gold Medal at 2014 Asian Games, Played in 2016 Rio Olympics.
Taichirō Koga	170	1.70	5’7″	Japan	Libero	Gold Medal at 2017 Asian Championship, Silver Medal at 2016 Rio Olympics, Played in multiple FIVB World Championships.
Matías Sánchez	173	1.73	5’8″	Argentina	Setter	Eight-time “Best Setter” award winner (2013-2019), Bronze Medal at 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Masahiro Sekita	175	1.75	5’9″	Japan	Setter	Captain of Japan U-21 National Team at 2012 Asian Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship, Played in 2013 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship, Silver Medal at 2024 FIVB Nations League.
Kyle Dagostino	175	1.75	5’9″	USA	Libero	Played professionally in Slovenia, Germany, Finland, and France, Represented USA at 2024 Paris Olympics.
Francisco Ruiz	178	1.78	5’10”	Spain	Outside Spiker	Played for 12 different teams in Spain, Italy, and Greece, Won multiple “Best Outside Hitter,” “Best Server,” “Best Receiver,” and “MVP” awards.
Lucas Provenzano João de Deus	178	1.78	5’10”	Brazil	Libero	Olympic-caliber libero, Represents Sada Cruzeiro Vôlei
Yoshie Takeshita	159	1.59	5’3″	Japan	Setter	Bronze Medal at 2012 London Olympics, Bronze Medal at 2010 World Championships, Best Setter at 2011 FIVB World Cup and 2011 Asian Championships, Best Setter in Japanese V.League in 2010/11
Yuko Sano	160	1.60	5’3″	Japan	Setter	Bronze Medal at 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Gold Medal at 1998 FIVB World Championship
Jamenea Ferrer	157	1.57	5’2″	Philippines	Setter	Played in the PVL for almost 10 years, Currently signed with Choco Mucho Flying Titans
Joella Marie de Jesus	152	1.52	4’12”	Philippines	Libero	Plays for Creamline Cool Smashers, Won 2023 PVL Invitational Conference
Deborah Green-Vargas	162	1.62	5’4″	USA	Setter	1984 Olympic Silver Medalist, Widely regarded as one of USA’s greatest setters
Gina Custer	152	1.52	5’0″	USA	Defensive Specialist	Played as a senior defensive specialist in Division 3 volleyball
Megumi Murakami	165	1.65	5’5″	Japan	Beach volleyball	Plays in the NORCECA, FIVB, or AVP federations
Katie Spieler	165	1.65	5’5″	USA	Beach volleyball	Plays in the NORCECA, FIVB, or AVP federations
Natalia Alfaro	165	1.65	5’5″	Costa Rica	Beach volleyball	Plays in the NORCECA, FIVB, or AVP federations

Note: This list is based on available information on the internet and may not be exhaustive. Height information may vary depending on the source. Please note that some players may be shorter than others on this list, but their information is not readily available in the internet space. So we focus on those whose data are available.

See Also: How tall are outside hitters in volleyball?

Shortest Volleyball Player Position

The libero position is particularly suited for shorter players. Liberos focus on defense, requiring agility and precision rather than height. Players like Yoshie Takeshita and Rylee Cookerly have thrived in this role despite being under 160 cm.

Below are typical positions in volleyball that are suitable for both short and tall players:

Libero (L): 155-170 cm (5’1″-5’7″)
Defensive Specialist (DS): 160-175 cm (5’3″-5’9″)
Setter (S): 165-180 cm (5’5″-5’11”)
Outside Hitters (OH): 170-185 cm (5’7″-6’1″)
Middle Blockers (MB): 175-195 cm (5’9″-6’5″)
Opposite Hitters (OPP): 180-200 cm (5’11”-6’7″)

These are general height ranges for these volleyball positions. Nevertheless, players can vary depending on their individual skills and teams. But obviously, some highly skilled players can still excel in positions that don’t necessarily match their height.

See Also: Volleyball Positions and roles

How to Excel in Volleyball as a Short Player

Below are a few tips and guidelines on how to excel in volleyball despite your height:

1. Utilize Your Advantages:

Speed and Agility: Short players often have a quicker reaction time and can move faster across the court. Use this to your advantage in defense, covering more ground and anticipating plays.
Low Centre of Gravity: short players have low centres of gravity. This gives you better balance and stability, making you less prone to falling and allowing you to react quickly to unexpected plays.

2. Master your Position:

Libero: This defensive specialist position is perfect for short players. It emphasizes speed, agility, and ball control, all areas where shorter players excel.
Setter: While setters are often shorter, it’s more about technical skills and game intelligence than height. You can become a valuable asset by mastering precise setting and strategic play.
Outside Hitter: This position requires a combination of skills, including defense, passing, and blocking. While height can be an advantage, shorter players can still excel with proper technique and training.

3. Master Essential Skills:

Passing: Develop a strong, consistent pass to set up your team’s offense. Focus on a low, balanced posture and accurate hand positioning.
Defence: Become a defensive powerhouse. Learn to read hitters, anticipate shots, and dive for the ball with confidence.
Blocking: While blocking can be challenging for shorter players, it’s not impossible. Work on timing your jumps, keeping your arms close together, and using swing-blocking techniques.
Setting: If you choose to be a setter, focus on precise hand positioning, a soft touch, and accurate placement of the ball.

4. Be Smart in Your Trainings:

Strength Training: Focus on exercises that build leg and core strength, which will improve your jumping ability and overall athleticism.
Plyometric Training: These exercises, like box jumps and squat jumps, help develop explosive power and increase your vertical leap.
Agility Drills: Work on quick footwork, lateral movement, and reaction time to enhance your speed and agility on the court.

5. Develop a Winning Mindset:

Confidence: Believe in your abilities and don’t let height hold you back.
Perseverance: Stay dedicated to your training and never give up on your goals.
Teamwork: Communicate effectively with your teammates, offer support, and work together to overcome challenges.

Conclusion

While height is important in volleyball and usually associated with volleyball success, the achievements of players like Farhad Zarif, Joella Marie de Jesus, and many more have proven otherwise.

Height is just an advantage in volleyball, but not the only factor for success. Many talented players have overcome height disadvantages to excel in the sport.