Different female players have emerged as the tallest female volleyball players over the years. While some of these players are active, some are inactive presently.
One may ask why this is important, but here it is—the volleyball game is a kind of sport that celebrates athleticism, agility, and height. Height is generally an advantage in volleyball.
If you are a female volleyball player or planning to become one, you can actually leverage your height as an advantage while still building on other technical skills and professionalism.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the tallest female volleyball players of all time, including the ones that are actively playing in 2024, those in the Olympics, those with achievements, and so on.
How Tall Are Most Female Volleyball Players?
In professional women’s volleyball, the average height of players varies depending on position. The height of most female volleyball players ranges from about 5’9″ (175 cm or 1.75 m) to 6’8″ (203 cm or 2.03 m) and even more.
Nevertheless, there are players who are below and above these numbers. But it’s important that the height factor in volleyball also depends on positions. Positions like middle blockers and outside hitters need taller players than setters or liberos.
Before now, all heights were appreciated in the court, but as volleyball continues to evolve, we have witnessed exceptionally tall players like Merete Lutz, standing at 2.06 m.
Read more: Minimum Height for Volleyball Player Female: Average Height for Male and Female Athletic
Tallest female Volleyball player in the Olympics
As of the latest records, the tallest female player to participate in Olympic volleyball is Dana Rettke, standing at 2.04 m (204 cm) (6 ft 8 in). Dana Rettke is an American volleyball player born on January 21, 1999, in Riverside, Illinois.
She played collegiate volleyball at the University of Wisconsin and is the first five-time AVCA First Team All-American in history. Rettke was also a member of the U.S. national team and has won All-Big Ten honors in each of her five college seasons. She was the 2019-20 Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year and the 2021-22 winner of the Honda Sports Award for women’s volleyball.
See Also: Shortest Volleyball Player 2024
Following her career at Wisconsin, she signed on to play professional volleyball with the A1 Italian club team, Vero Volley Milano, in 2022. Rettke signed with Turkish club Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in May 2024.
See Also: Dana Rettke Net Worth 2024, Salary, and Career Highlights
Other Tallest Female Volleyball Players in the Olympics include:
| Player Name | Height |
| Magdalena Stysiak | 2.03 m |
| Yulia Merkulova | 2.02 m |
| Yuan Xinyue | 2.01 m |
| Geraldine González | 2 m |
| Daria Malygina | 2 m |
| Brayelin Martinez | 2 m |
| Kathryn Plummer | 1.98 m |
| Jordan Thompson | 1.93 m |
| Annie Drews | 1.93 m |
| Jordyn Poulter | 1.88 m |
| Lauren Carlini | 1.85 m |
| Jordan Larson | 1.88 m |
| Avery Skinner | 1.85 m |
List of Tallest Female Volleyball Players of all time
Below are some of the all-time tallest female volleyball players globally in the history of volleyball, with their heights and notable achievements:
| Name | Height | Nationality | Position | Notable Achievement |
| Yekaterina Gamova | 6’8″ (206 cm) | Russia | Opposite Hitter | Two-time Olympic silver medalist |
| Zhu Ting | 6’6″ (198 cm) | China | Outside Hitter | MVP of 2016 Olympics |
| Tijana Boskovic | 6’4″ (193 cm) | Serbia | Opposite Hitter | MVP of 2018 World Championships |
| Anna Smirnova | 6’7″ (200 cm) | Kazakhstan | Middle Blocker | Asia Volleyball Championship Medalist |
| Andrea Drews | 6’4″ (193 cm) | USA | Opposite Hitter | Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist |
| Ebrar Karakurt | 6’4″ (193 cm) | Turkey | Opposite Hitter | Star player in Turkish and international volleyball |
List of Tallest Female Volleyball Players 2024-2025
Several towering athletes have emerged in the volleyball scene. Below are some other tallest female volleyball players who have stood out between the 2024 and 2025 seasons:
| Name | Height | Nationality | Position | Notable Tournament |
| Ekaterina Antropova | 6’7″ (201 cm) | Italy | Opposite Hitter | FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League 2023 |
| Anna Smirnova | 6’7″ (200 cm) | Kazakhstan | Middle Blocker | Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship 2022 |
| Haleigh Washington | 6’3″ (191 cm) | USA | Middle Blocker | 2020 Olympic Games |
| Stefana Veljkovic | 6’4″ (193 cm) | Serbia | Middle Blocker | European Championship 2021 |
| Sarah Wilhite | 6’4″ (193 cm) | USA | Outside Hitter | Professional Volleyball League |
Tallest Female Volleyball Player in Paris Olympic 2024
As of 2024, Ekaterina Antropova of Italy holds the title for the tallest active female volleyball player in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She stands at 6 ft 7.5 in (202 cm).
Ekaterina Antropova: Height, Weight, Spike, Block, Nationality, and More
- Name: Ekaterina Antropova
- Height: 2.02 m (6 ft 7.5 in)
- Weight: 70 kg (154 lb)
- Spike Reach: 3.35 m (132 in)
- Block Reach: 3.05 m (120 in)
- Nationality: Italian
- Birth Date: March 19, 2003
- Position: Opposite Spiker
Read more: Top 10 Highest Paid Volleyball Players in the World (2024 update)
Advantages of Being Tall in Volleyball
Tall players have several advantages on the volleyball court. Some of the most outstanding advantages of being a tall female volleyball player include:
1. Extended Reach:
Taller players can easily reach higher points over the net, allowing them to block more effectively and attack with greater power.
2. Stronger Blocking Ability:
Height provides an edge in blocking opponents’ spikes, making it challenging for opponents to get past tall players.
3. Enhanced Visibility:
Tall players often have a clearer view of the court and can track the ball’s movement better.
See Also:
Challenges Tall Female Volleyball Players Face
While height is an advantage in the volleyball game, it also has some drawbacks that, if not properly taken care of, can affect your career. Some of the challenges that tall female volleyball players face include:
1. Agility and Speed:
Taller players may struggle with agility and rapid movements, especially in back-row positions.
2. Increased Risk of Injury:
Height can put additional strain on knees, ankles, and joints, which are critical for jumps and landings.
3. Stamina and Balance:
Balancing agility with height can be challenging, particularly when maintaining stamina throughout long matches.
See Also:
- Minimum Height for Volleyball Player Male
- Shortest Volleyball Player 2024
- What is a Dig in Volleyball: Volleyball Digging Explained
Conclusion
Female volleyball players like Ekaterina Antropova, Yekaterina Gamova, Dana Rettke, and many more have remarkable heights. The average height of female volleyball players ranges from 5’9” (175 cm or 1.75 m) to 6’8” (203 cm or 2.03 m) and even more.
Generally, height can give advantages in blocking and spiking in volleyball. Height can enhance a player’s dominance.
As volleyball progresses, we can expect more tall players to emerge. But remember, you don’t need to be extremely tall before you can build a successful volleyball career. You can also focus on building other professional volleyball skills to add to your advantage.
Read more: