Introduction:
I am 6’ ft 1’’ inches and I play volleyball excellently. I never encountered any issues while playing volleyball, even though I was a national-level player. Considering my height is a medium level for volleyball players, I have seen long-height players with a height of 6 to 7 feet too. But, have you ever noticed short players?
Yes, the NCAA and FIVB also allow short players to play in the tournaments. There is no restriction on the height of the players. Some still feel short players cannot play as excellently as longer players. I feel it is a myth. Many national and international level short players have created victories for their nations. Let’s dive into the article and know the player’s history.
Shortest Players In Volleyball History:
1. Farhad Zarif:
Frahad Zarif is an Iranian player. He plays for the Paykan Tehran. He has a height of 165 cm (5.41 ft). Being the shortest player, he has vouched for his place in Iran’s national volleyball team in 2006.
He has won awards for the best receiver, Libero, and digger in national competitions. He was a GM Matadors coach at the NVA USA league. He had a spike of 115 inches.
He is a 4-time gold medalist, one-time silver medalist in national championships, and two-time gold medalist in club championships.
| Born | 3rd March 1983 | Height | 1.65 m, 5’5″ |
| Weight | 60 KG, 132 lb | Position | Libero |
| Spike | 2.90 m, 114 in | Block | 2.71 m, 107 in |
| Current Club | Paykan Tehran VC | Number | 8 |
2. Dawn Macandili-Catindig:
Dawn Nicole Lirio Macandili-Catindig is a Filipino volleyball player with a height of 152 cm (5’00 ft). She is a professional Libero volleyball player.
Despite being short, Dawn was the first Filipino Libero to win the ‘Most Valuable Player award in the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference in 2016.
She bagged the ‘2nd Best Libero’ award during the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championships in 2017 and ‘Second Leg Best Libero’ in the 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix international championship. With numerous golds and silvers in club, college, and national awards, Dawn has given noteworthy recognition to the Asian community and short players.
| Born | 1st June 1996 | Height | 153 cm, 5’0″ |
| Weight | 50 kg, 110 lb | Position | Libero |
| Spike | 246 cm, 97 in | Block | 234 cm, 94 in |
| Current Club | n/a | Number | n/a |
3. Denden Lazaro-Revilla:
Denden Lazaro is a professional Filipino Volleyball player with a height of 5 ft 5 in (165 cm). Being a great Libero, she was part of the national volleyball team of the Philipines from 2008-2018. She played for the Ateneo Lady Eagles volleyball team from 2011 to 2015. This team won the UAAP Volleyball Championships in 2014 and 2015.
Her team played for the Youth U16 Girl’s national team and ranked 7th in 2008. She was playing as a Libero for that team. She was awarded for UAAP season 76 as the best digger and receiver in 2013-14. Consequently, in 2015, she was awarded as the best receiver for UAAP season 76.
| Born | 21st January 1992 | Height | 1.65 m, 5’5″ |
| Weight | 54 kg, 120 lb | Position | Libero |
| Spike | n/a | Block | n/a |
| Current Club | n/a | Number | 13 |
4. Kotoe Inoue:
Katoe Inoue, famous by the name Koto, is a Japanese Volleyball player with a height of 161 cm (5 ft 3 in). She was a bronze medalist in the 2010 Asian Championship. She was awarded as the best Libero for this championship.
She also won the best libero award in the 2017 World Grand Champions Cup. Her team also won the 2017 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championships. She also played for winning the 2007 Youth National Team and 2008 Junior National Team.
| Born | 15th February 1990 | Height | 1.61 m, 5’3″ |
| Weight | 55 kg, 121 lb | Position | Libero |
| Spike | 285 cm, 112 in | Block | 270 cm |
| Current Club | Nakhon Ratchasima Huione QminC | Number | 15 |
5. Joshua Ybañez:
Joshua is a Filipino volleyball player with a height of 170 cm (5 ft 7 in). This excellent player is a member of UST Golden Spikers in the UAAP. For UAAP Season 85, he bagged a silver medal and got the award for ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Season’s Most Valuable Player’.
For 2023 PNVF, Joshua won the award for Most Valuable Player and 1t best Outside Spiker for the Challenge Cup.
| Born | 25th March 2003 | Height | 170 cm, 5’7″ |
| Weight | n/a | Position | Outside Hitter |
| Spike | n/a | Block | n/a |
| Current Team | UST Golden Spikers | Number | 13 |
6. Ella De Jesus:
Ella is a Filipino volleyball player with a height of 157 cm (5 ft 2 in). She was the best spiker and hitter in her high school years. She was a part of the Ateneo de Manila University’s collegiate varsity team from 2011 to 2015.
She was also a part of the 2015 Philippines U23 national team. She was also a part of the PLDT Home Ultera Fast Hitters team as a Libero. Her team played in the 2015 Shakey’s V-League reinforced conference.
Even though she is short in height, she played excellently in national-level championships and won golds and silvers.
| Born | 17th August 1993 | Height | 157 cm, 5’2″ |
| Weight | 54 kg, 119 lb | Position | Outside Hitter/Libero |
| Spike | n/a | Block | n/a |
| Current Club | Creamline Cool Smashers | Number | 8 |
7. Taichiro Koga:
Taichiro is a Japanese National level Volleyball player with a height of 152 cm (5 feet 7 inches). He started his career with the Libero position and participated in more than 150 matches. He serves a spike of 115 inches.
This short player won gold medals in the 2017 Asian Championship and Finnish Championship. He was awarded as the most valuable player for the 2016 Finish Championship.
| Born | 4th October 1989 | Height | 1.7 m, 5’7″ |
| Weight | 70 kg, 154 lb | Position | Libero |
| Spike | 115 in, 292 cm | Block | 277 cm |
| Current Club | Tokyo Great Bears | Number | 10 |
8. Matías Sánchez:
Matias is a famous volleyball player from Argentina’s national team who won bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games. His height is 173 cm (5 ft 8 in). Even though he has a shorter height than other male volleyball players, Matias has a spike record of 304 cm (120 inches).
He won the gold medal in the Pan American Games in Lima in 2019 and CSV South American Championship in 2023. He plays as a setter for the Ślepsk Malow Suwałki team.
| Born | 20th September 1996 | Height | 1.73 m, 5’8″ |
| Weight | 64 kg, 141 lb | Position | Setter |
| Spike | 304 cm, 120 in | Block | 282 cm, 111 in |
| Current Club | Ślepsk Suwałki | Number | 1 |
FAQs:
- What is the average height of men Volleyball players?
The height of volleyball players is not regulated yet. Studies say that 6ft is the average height. Players below 6 ft are considered short in volleyball.
- What is the best position for the shortest player in a volleyball team?
The ‘Libero’ is the most suitable position for the shortest player in a volleyball team. Libero is the best position because short players can stay in the back row and defend well. They do not need to serve or attack the ball.
Conclusion:
Height is not a constraint if you have excellent volleyball skills. A player needs good control over his mobility, athleticism, and flexibility to perform well in volleyball. Of course, your intuitions and logic also play a major role to offend, defend, dig, serve, and attack the ball at the right time. I hope this article has given you spectacular facts about all the mentioned players! Which is your favourite? Do let me know in the comments.
