Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world. Its popularity continues to grow at both the national and international levels, driven by the increasing number of prestigious tournaments featuring the world’s top athletes.
Amid fierce competition, several women’s volleyball players have captured global attention through their consistent performances, individual skills, and valuable contributions to their teams.
Notably, Indonesian volleyball star Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi has earned a place among the world’s best players, becoming the only Asian representative in the top 10.
Here are the five best women’s volleyball players in the world, based on the rankings released by Volleyball World.
1. Olivia Babcock
The top spot belongs to Olivia Babcock, an opposite hitter from California, United States.
Born on June 28, 2005, Babcock has delivered outstanding performances since joining the University of Pittsburgh during the 2023–2024 season.
Despite her young age, the 193-centimeter tall player has accumulated 96.75 points, placing her at the top of the world rankings.
She has also received several prestigious honors, including National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and NCAA Regional Most Valuable Player in 2024.
2. Sarah Franklin
Second place is occupied by Sarah Franklin, an outside hitter from Florida, United States.
Born on February 27, 2002, Franklin has been playing for LOVB Madison since the 2024–2025 season after previously representing the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers.
She has collected 95.50 points, trailing Olivia Babcock by only a narrow margin.
Her achievements are equally impressive, including the National Player of the Year 2023 and Big Ten Player of the Year 2024 awards.
3. Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi
Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi has become a source of pride for Indonesia after securing third place on the list of the world’s best women’s volleyball players.
The opposite hitter from Jember, born on September 20, 1999, earned 80 points thanks to her consistent performances with South Korean club Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks.
Megawati is the only Asian player to break into the world’s top 10.
The achievement also reflects the positive development of Indonesian women’s volleyball on the international stage.
Her scoring ability, consistent performances throughout the season, and role as one of her team’s key players were the main factors behind her prestigious ranking.
4. Jessica Mruzik
Fourth place is held by Jessica Mruzik, an outside hitter from the United States, who also collected 80 points.
The Michigan-born athlete is recognized as one of the top players in U.S. collegiate volleyball.
She helped lead her team to the NCAA Championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
5. Paula Salinas
Fifth place belongs to Paula Salinas, a setter from Chile, with 67.5 points.
Born on October 30, 2000, Salinas currently plays for Boston College Volleyball after previously competing for several clubs in South America.
Her ability to control the tempo of the game has established her as one of the most highly regarded setters on the international stage.
The New Generation of Women’s Volleyball Is Becoming More Competitive
The list of the world’s top players demonstrates that the regeneration of women’s volleyball talent is progressing rapidly.
Several young players have consistently performed at a high level and have quickly established themselves among the sport’s elite.
The United States continues to dominate the rankings, with four representatives in the top five.
However, Megawati Hangestri’s success in reaching the top three proves that Asian players are now capable of competing with the world’s best athletes.
With most of the players on this list still relatively young, they have the potential to maintain and even improve their achievements in future international competitions.
Their continued development will undoubtedly remain one of the most exciting storylines for volleyball fans around the world to follow.***
