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30 Most Famous Female Volleyball Players of All Time

These remarkable female volleyball players of all time have elevated the game to new heights. With their achievements, they have proved that they are more than just athletes. They are bearers of strength, skill, and sporting grace that have left an enduring impact on the global volleyball stage.

Thus in this article, we explore the career triumphs of the female volleyball legends who have changed the narrative of the sport. From the prowess of icons like Gabrielle Reece and Misty May-Treanor who are celebrated for their unmatched agility and strategic brilliance. To the unconquerable spirit of Kerri Walsh Jennings and the powerful spike of Lang Ping. We tell you what makes these female volleyball players most famous and why they are players of all time. Take a look below.

Here are the 30 Most Famous Female Volleyball Players of All Time.

1. Gabrielle Reece, USA

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This former American professional volleyball player was born in La Jolla, California, on January 6, 1970. She was one of the notable volleyball players through high school and college. She played for the University of Florida Gators women’s volleyball team between the 1980s to the 1990s.

Moreover, after college, Reece turned professional and played on the beach volleyball circuit. She won many championships, including the Beach Volleyball World Championship in 1992. She was also named the top player on the beach volleyball tour for three straight years from 1993 to 1995.

Reece retired from professional volleyball in 2000. She has since worked as a sports announcer, fashion model, and podcast host. She is also a New York Times bestselling author. She is celebrated as one of the most famous female volleyball players for pioneering beach volleyball. She also helped to popularize it around the world.

2. Misty May-Treanor, USA

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This retired American professional beach volleyball player is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball. She was born in Los Angeles on July 30, 1977. She began her volleyball career playing indoors at Long Beach State University.

Furthermore, she switched to beach volleyball, where she partnered with Kerri Walsh Jennings. The duo quickly became one of the most dominant teams in the sport, winning three Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, and 2012) and three FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships (2003, 2005, and 2007).

May-Treanor is ranked among the greatest female volleyball players of all time due to her incredible athleticism, technical skills, and competitive fire. She was known for her powerful serve, her ability to read the game, and her relentless work ethic.

She was also a role model for many young athletes, both on and off the court. Besides athletic achievements, she is committed to giving back to the community which includes her Misty May-Treanor Volleyball Foundation.

3. Kerri Walsh Jennings, USA

Jennings prides herself as a three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball. She was born on August 16, 1978, in Santa Clara, California. As an American professional beach volleyball player, she is one of the most decorated athletes in the sport. She began playing beach volleyball in 1996 and quickly rose to the top of the sport.

Additionally, she partnered with Misty May-Treanor in 2001 and the duo won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012. They also received the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship award in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Walsh has also won at least 135 international and domestic tournaments, making her a beach volleyball leader in career victories. More to her success on the court, Jennings is also a vocal advocate for women’s sports and an inspiration to young athletes everywhere. She is also a role model for women of all ages.

4. Lang Ping, China

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A gold medalist at the 1984 Olympics and considered one of China’s greatest players cementing her authority as an all-time volleyball player. Her long coaching career includes leading the US women’s team.

Lang Ping, nicknamed the “Iron Hammer”, was born in Tianjin, China on 10 December 1960. She won two World Cups, one World Championship, and an Olympic gold medal as a player. She also became the first person to win gold as both a player and a coach, leading the Chinese women’s team to victory at the 2016 Olympics.

Lang was known for her powerful spike and fierce competitive spirit. She helped China usher in a golden age of women’s volleyball, leading the team to several world championships in the early 1980s. After she retired from active playing in 1990, Lang went on to have a successful coaching career. Thus leading the Chinese and US national teams to many medals.

5. Logan Tom, USA

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The retired indoor and beach volleyball star is a four-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist with the US indoor volleyball team. She has also played professionally in Italy, Brazil, Turkey, China, and Russia. She was born in Napa, California, on May 25, 1981.

Better still, Tom was a skilled all-around player who brought stability to the U.S. serve receive, and defense. She also offered the team a firm attack and block at the net. She received the Best Scorer prize at the 2008 Olympics as well as the Most Valuable Player title at the 2004 FIVB World Grand Prix.

6. Tara Cross-Battle, USA

Cross-Battle is one of the top American indoor volleyball players ever. She was a prominent member of the US national team during the 2000s that rose to become a world power. Cross-Battle won an Olympic silver medal with the US at the 2008 Beijing Games. She also helped Team USA capture gold at the 2007 World Cup and the 2008 World Grand Prix.

What’s more, her defensive prowess and fiery competitiveness made her a cornerstone of the US team during its era of international success. Cross-Battle’s integral contributions to transitioning the US into an elite global force make her one of the most acclaimed American female volleyball players of all time. She was born in Texas on 16 September 1968.

7. Zhu Ting, China

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She has been the unquestioned star of the Chinese national team since making her debut in 2013. Zhu has led China to gold medals at the World Cup, World Championship, Asian Games, and Asian Championship.

She was MVP (most valuable player) and scoring champion at the 2016 Rio Olympics where China won gold. Zhu’s extraordinary spiking ability and on-court dominance have made her the focal point of every team she’s played for.

Her unprecedented success in ushering in a new era of Chinese volleyball greatness at the international level makes Zhu Ting one of the most renowned female players in the sport’s history. She was born in Zhoukou, China on 29 November 1994.

8. Liubov Shashkova, Russia

This is one of the greatest volleyball players to ever represent Russia. Born in Moscow on 4 December 1977, she competed for the Soviet Union at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, winning gold and silver medals.

Additionally, Shashkova dominated volleyball throughout the 1960s with her intelligence, technique, and graceful style of play. She led the Soviet team to many European Championship wins and was named the most outstanding player at the 1967 World Championships. Shashkova’s mastery and success cemented her legacy as an all-time volleyball great.

9. Sheilla Castro, Brazil

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Sheilla Castro was born in Brazil on 1 July 1983 and is one of the country’s most decorated female volleyball players. This Brazillian was a significant force at the net for over a decade, helping the national team win two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

Over and above that, Castro also secured many medals at the World Championship, World Cup, and Pan American Games. Her exceptional blocking and spiking strengths made her a standout talent. Castro’s central role in establishing Brazil’s international supremacy in women’s volleyball makes her one of the greatest players the sport has seen.

10. Yekaterina Gamova, Russia

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Gamova was born in Russia on 17 October 1980 and became one of the most famous female volleyball players in the world. She competed professionally across top clubs in Russia, Italy, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, claiming countless domestic titles and MVP (most valuable player) honors.

Besides, she starred for the Russian national team, winning Olympic gold in 2012, World Championship gold in 2006, and European Championship gold in 2005 and 2007 among other international medals.

With her exceptional power, precision, and consistency as an outside hitter, she became a force to be reckoned with. Gamova’s prowess and titles across Russian and European volleyball make her an icon of the sport.

11. Jaqueline Carvalho, Brazil

Jaqueline Carvalho is regarded as one of Brazil’s greatest female volleyball players. She was born in Brazil on 31 December 1983. As a versatile hitter, she was instrumental in Brazil winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. Carvalho also helped Brazil receive World Grand Prix and World Cup titles.

Subsequently, her high volleyball IQ and well-rounded abilities made her a stronghold of Brazil’s success. Carvalho played professionally across top clubs in Brazil, Italy, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Her phenomenal talent and integral role in Brazil’s international dominance cement her legacy as an all-time great.

12. Yuko Arakida, Japan

Arakida is a foundational pillar of Japanese women’s volleyball. She was born in Japan on 14 February 1954. She competed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics when volleyball was first introduced and led Japan to a bronze medal, its first-ever Olympic medal.

To add on, Arakida captained the national team for over a decade, helping Japan become a global force by winning medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, and other international tournaments.

Her comprehensive skillset of setting, spiking, blocking, and serving pushed Japan’s volleyball to the spotlight. Hence Arakida’s lifelong dedication and pioneering impact in empowering generations of Japanese volleyball stars solidifies her legacy.

13. Regla Torres, Cuba

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This volleyball great is one of history’s acclaimed liberos (back-row defensive specialist). She was the defensive anchor for the Cuban national team from the 1990s to the early 2000s. Torres won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996, and 2000 as well as many World Championship and World Cup titles.

Moreover, she brought a shift to defensive play with her quickness, anticipation, and passing accuracy. Torres’ extraordinary talents propelled Cuba’s success and she is considered the standard bearer for liberos across the sport. Her legendary status in Cuban volleyball history is unmatched.

14. Anastasiya Markovich, Russia

Markovich was born in Russia in 1989 and emerged as one of the country’s top women’s volleyball stars. As an outside hitter with exceptional power and precision, she propelled Russia to medals across major tournaments including World Cup gold in 2011.

Furthermore, Markovich was also instrumental in Russia winning the European Championships in 2013 and 2017, claiming MVP honors on both occasions. Her standout talent cemented Russia’s dominance in continental play. Markovich’s phenomenal abilities and integral role in sustained success mark her as an all-time great Russian volleyball player.

15. Yumilka Ruiz, Cuba

Ruiz was born in Cuba on 8 May 1978 and is respected as one of the country’s most talented female volleyball legends. She was a force to reckon with at the net during Cuba’s extraordinary international run in the 1990s. Ruiz won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996, and 2000 as the team’s ace spiker.

On top of that, she also led Cuba to four World Cup titles, establishing their global supremacy. Ruiz possessed a lightning-quick arm swing and incredible jumping ability. Her superstar abilities were unparalleled earning her a legacy as an all-time great in volleyball.

16. Hui Ruoqi, China

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A female volleyball star who hails from China where she was born on 4 March 1991. She rose to the limelight to become one of the country’s most accomplished female volleyball players. She competed professionally across top Chinese clubs and internationally with Azerbaijan’s Rabita Baku.

Furthermore, Hui was also a key member of China’s national team for over a decade, helping the squad receive an Olympic gold in 2004, World Cup titles in 2003 and 2015, and several World Grand Prix crowns. Her versatility as an outside hitter and passer helped anchor China during an era of excellence. Hui’s phenomenal talent and key role in China’s success make her an iconic volleyball figure.

17. Fernanda Venturini, Brazil

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This female volleyball veteran played a crucial role as Brazil emerged as an international volleyball powerhouse. As a talented passer and server, she helped her country secure major titles including Olympic gold in 1996 and silver in 1992.

Venturini also won World Championship, World Cup, and World Grand Prix medals during her decorated career. She competed professionally across top Brazilian clubs and in Italy as well. Venturini’s extensive abilities and championship pedigree made her a household name in volleyball worldwide.

18. Kim Yeon-koung, South Korea

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This South Korean female volleyball great was born on 26 February 1988. She became one of the country’s first true volleyball superstars. As an exemplary spiker and scorer, she has led South Korea to titles across major international tournaments including MVP (most valuable player) honors at the 2012 London Olympics.

Kim has also enjoyed great success playing professionally in the top leagues of South Korea, China, Turkey, and Italy. She holds countless scoring records while typically ranking among league leaders in kills, aces, and points. Kim’s abilities and talent have ushered in a new era of Korean volleyball excellence, binding her status as an all-time great.

19. Fabiana Claudino, Brazil

A passionate female Brazilian volleyball great who was born in Brazil on 24 January 1985. She rose to stardom as one of the country’s premier defensive specialists and floor leaders. She had the chance to captain Brazil’s national team and led them to winning Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012.

To add on, Claudino also helped Brazil get many awards like the World Grand Prix, World Cup, and World Championships. Her firm defense, passing accuracy, and leadership earned Brazil international acclaim. Hence being at the center of the country’s sustained excellence makes Claudino one of Brazil’s most decorated and beloved volleyball legends.

20. Kimura Saori, Japan

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Saori comes from Japan where she was born on 19 August 1986 and rose to the top of the ladder of women’s volleyball in the country. She was an intelligent playmaker who quarterbacked Japan to medal after medal in the 1990s and 2000s. Kimura led Japan to World Cup gold in 2001, World Grand Prix gold in 1994 and 2005, and bronze medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

Kimura’s masterful setting skills and court vision facilitated Japan’s rise to international glory. Her integral role in shaping generations of Japanese stars created her legacy as an all-time volleyball personality in the country.

21. Li Yan, China

Li Yan was born in China on 1 May 1976 and became one of the country’s first women volleyball stars. As an extremely talented wing spiker, she powered China to major international success including World Cup gold in 1995. Li also captured Olympic silver at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Better still, her professional play cut across top teams in China’s competitive league, and was named MVP (most valuable player) various times. Li’s well-rounded abilities and prominence helped the rise of China’s women’s volleyball program. Yet her pioneering career paved the way for future Chinese legends.

22. Tamari Miyashiro, USA

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She is highly regarded as one of the first iconic Asian-American volleyball stars. Miyashiro was born in Hawaii on July 8, 1987. She competed internationally for Japan, winning gold at the 1976 Olympics and 1978 World Championships.

Besides, within domestic volleyball circles, Miyashiro dominated the landscape, claiming a record of at least 16 national prestigious championships. Her all-around excellence as a setter and hitter catalyzed the sport’s growth in the U.S. during the 1970s. Miyashiro’s impactful career laid the foundation for Asian-American volleyball players to thrive at the highest levels.

23. Foluke Akinradewo, USA

One of the renowned volleyball blockers who was born in Canada on 5 October 1987. She has a tri-citizenship in Canada, Nigeria, and the US. She was a core member of the U.S. national team which secured a silver medal in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic competitions.

Additionally, Akinradewo also helped Team USA capture the 2014 World Championship and many World Grand Prix titles with her dominant net play. She enjoyed a successful professional career overseas in Korea, Turkey, Puerto Rico, and Japan. Akinradewo’s blocking and spiking magnificence made her indispensable during a fruitful era for American volleyball.

24. Jordan Larson, USA

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Larson was born in Nebraska, United States on 16 October 1986. She emerged as one of the country’s best all-around outside hitters. She was a cornerstone of the U.S. national team that won an Olympic silver medal in 2012 along with World Championship gold in 2014.

Larson’s stellar passing, defense, serving, and attacking led to professional success overseas in China, Turkey, and Russia. She also won many Player of the Year awards at the University of Nebraska. Larson’s talent in sports and prominent role in Team USA’s success solidify her as a volleyball icon.

25. Kimberly Hill, USA

As an attacker, she is one of the dominant forces to reckon with in the United States and international volleyball arena. With her extraordinary vertical leap and spiking power, Hill has been a scoring machine for the US national team. She helped Team USA win its first-ever Volleyball Nations League title in 2018 along with a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

What’s more, Hill has starred professionally in Italy and Turkey, leading leagues in points and kills. Her fast rise at a young age and ability to single-handedly take over games glue Hill’s status as an American volleyball stronghold.

26. Paula Pequeno, Brazil

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Pequeno was born in Brazil on 22 January 1982 and is respected as one of the country’s first legendary female volleyball players. She was the backbone of Brazil’s rise to international fame in the 1980s and 90s with her versatility as an outside hitter and passer. She also led Brazil to major titles including World Championship gold in 1994 and Olympic bronze in 1996.

Over and above that, she thrived professionally in the top leagues of Italy and Brazil and was named Best Setter at the 1989 World Cup. Pequeno’s skills and role in ushering Brazil’s volleyball success make her an iconic pioneer.

27. Gamze Alikaya, Turkey

This Turkish volleyball player was born on 1 January 1993 in Turkey. She began her professional volleyball career in 2009 with Turkish volleyball clubs yet her stellar international career came during her time with the Turkish national team.

She was part of the Turkish team that won the silver medal at the 2014 European Volleyball Championship and the bronze medal at the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Cup. She was also named the Best Outside Spiker at the 2010 CEV Champions League Final Four.

Alikaya is known for her powerful serves, athleticism, and ability to score from anywhere on the court. She is also a strong leader and has been praised for her positive attitude and work ethic. She ranks among the volleyball players of all time because of her incredible combination of individual and team success.

28. Natasa Osmokrovic, Croatia

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This Croatian is ranked among the most famous female volleyball players of all time because of her incredible athleticism, her powerful hitting, and her ability to take over matches when her team needs her most.

Osmokrovic began her professional career with domestic leagues in the early 1990s. In the late 1990s, Osmokrovic moved to Italy where she competed in Italian Championships. During the 2000s, she played in Turkish Championships.

Additionally, Osmokrovic had a successful international career with the Croatian national team. She won a bronze medal at the 1999 European Championship, a silver medal at the 2003 European Championship, and a gold medal at the 2007 European Championship. She was also part of the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. She retired from professional volleyball in 2012 and is currently a coach and commentator.

29. Małgorzata Glinka-Mogentale, Poland

Glinka-Mogentale’s achievements and skills have made her one of the most iconic figures in Polish volleyball history. As one of the most famous female volleyball players of all time, she is a two-time European champion (2003, 2005). She is also a gold medalist of the Polish, French, Spanish, and Turkish national championships.

Moreover, her time in the Polish women’s national volleyball team saw her take part in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She is a skilled middle blocker and outside hitter and is also a strong server and defender. She was named the best middle blocker at the 2003 and 2005 European Championships, and the best player at the 2004 Italian Championship. The star was born in Poland on 30 September 1978.

30. Manon Flier, Netherlands

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She is considered to be one of the most famous female volleyball players of all time due to her prolific career with the Netherlands national team complemented by her individual and team awards. Flier joined professional volleyball in 2000 playing in Dutch championships. Around 2004, she made her debut with the Netherlands national team and has since become a vital member of the squad.

With the Netherlands national team, Flier has won many medals, including a gold medal at the 2007 European Championships, a silver medal at the 2015 European Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. She has also been named the European Volleyball Confederation’s Best Player in Europe on two occasions (2008 and 2015).

Further, her versatility, athleticism, mental toughness, and leadership skills have earned her praise from her teammates and coaches. With exceptional performance on both ends of the court, she is a constant threat to score points. Besides her achievements with the Netherlands national team, Flier has also had a successful career with several top European clubs. She was born in the Netherlands on 8 February 1984.

The world of volleyball has been graced by extraordinary female athletes, each leaving a mark on the sport. From the finesse of Misty May-Treanor to the towering presence of Lang Ping these female volleyball players have showcased unparalleled skill. They’ve also inspired generations, asserting their legacy in volleyball history.