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In volleyball, height has always been one of the sport’s most obvious physical advantages. At the net, every centimetre can make a difference; in attack and blocking, reach is often decisive. Yet when height becomes the first criterion for judging a player’s potential, the game risks overlooking something far more important: the ability to play.
French volleyball legend Jenia Grebennikov is bringing that discussion back into focus.
Now competing for the Wolfdogs Nagoya in Japan’s SV League, the two-time Olympic champion has shared a perspective shaped by his own journey — one that began with a difficult realisation: he was considered too short to become an attacker at the highest level.
Grebennikov, listed at 1.88 metres, is hardly short by everyday standards.
But in the world of elite men’s volleyball, where outside hitters and opposite hitters frequently stand well above two metres, his height was seen as a limitation. As a teenager in France, he dreamed of attacking, scoring points and entertaining the crowd. His father, Boris Grebennikov, an experienced volleyball player and coach, eventually advised him to pursue the libero position instead.
It was a decision that did not come easily.
“Originally, I wanted to attack, to be in the spotlight, to score and put on a show. It was difficult to come to terms with, but my father and I eventually accepted it. It was probably my only chance to play for the French national team, win titles and become the best, which was what I constantly wanted,” Jenia explained.
The advice ultimately changed the course of his career. He went on to become one of the most decorated liberos in international volleyball, winning Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, while collecting numerous individual awards. His story is not simply one of adapting to a position: it is also a reminder that a player’s potential may look very different from the role they initially imagine for themselves.
Now, his experience in Japan has given him another perspective on the issue.
“Regardless of their height, regardless of how difficult it is, they are there. In my team, the Wolfdogs Nagoya, players shorter than me are not liberos. In France, I was always told I was too short to attack. Here, an outside hitter who is 1.80 metres tall is one of the best players in the championship. If you know how to play, you can play.”
His observation points to a broader difference in how volleyball talent can be evaluated. While height remains a major advantage, technical ability, reading the game, timing, speed, coordination and decision-making can all influence a player’s effectiveness. Grebennikov’s words challenge the idea that a player’s position — or even their future in the sport — should be determined by physical measurements alone.
There are compelling examples beyond Japan, too. Masahiro Sekita, one of the leading setters in the Japanese men’s national team, stands at 1.75 metres!
He has represented Japan at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris and helped the team achieve major international results. His game is built around precision, speed, tactical awareness and the ability to organise an attack — qualities that cannot be captured by a height measurement.
In women’s volleyball, Yukiko Wada offers another example.
The Japanese outside hitter, listed at 1.75 metres, has represented her country at international level and demonstrated that players of shorter stature can still compete in a position traditionally associated with greater height. Her role requires much more than attacking power: reception, defensive contribution, movement and consistency are essential parts of the job.
France captain Helena Cazaute has also addressed the subject. At 1.84 metres, she is not among the tallest outside hitters in the international game, but she has built a career at the highest level.
Speaking to the FIVB, she stressed the importance of physical development for players who are smaller than their competitors. Her message is not that height is irrelevant, but that players must be given the opportunity to develop the qualities that can compensate for a physical disadvantage.
That distinction matters. Volleyball is a sport in which physical attributes are undeniably important, and not every player can overcome every limitation. But there is a difference between recognising the value of height and treating it as an automatic barrier. A player who is shorter may need to develop a different set of strengths — and coaches must be willing to identify those strengths rather than dismissing potential too early.
The issue is particularly relevant at youth level, where early decisions can have lasting consequences. If a young athlete is told repeatedly that they are too short to attack, too small to block or unsuitable for a particular position, they may never receive the opportunity to develop the technical and tactical skills that could make them successful. The risk is not only losing a talented player, but also narrowing the range of possibilities available to them.
Grebennikov’s career is a powerful illustration of how a different path can lead to the very top. He did not become the attacker he had once dreamed of being. Instead, he turned the libero role into a platform for excellence, becoming a defining figure in one of the most successful generations of French volleyball.
His message from Japan is simple, but its implications reach far beyond one league or one player: “If you know how to play, you can play.”
In a sport increasingly defined by speed, athleticism and physical power, perhaps the next great talent should not be judged first by how tall they are — but by what they can do with the ball!