On International Women’s Day, Volleyball World highlights the women who continue to raise the level of the sport every time they compete. From packed arenas to iconic beach venues and global broadcasts, women’s volleyball and beach volleyball stand among the world’s most balanced and competitive team sports, where women and men compete for the same prize money and command the same global stage.
The strength of the sport comes not only from elite performance, but from the opportunities it creates. Across the volleyball ecosystem, efforts continue to grow participation, strengthen leadership pathways and ensure the next generation of athletes can pursue the game with the same support, confidence and ambition.
Brazilian indoor star Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi) believes volleyball shows what sport can look like when equality is part of the game. “Men and women who perform the same roles should have the same rights. I’m happy that this is now the case in volleyball, and I hope it becomes the reality across society as well,” she stated. “I truly believe in sports as a tool for social transformation.”
“My mother was the person who always encouraged me in life and in sports, and she always put my happiness above everything else. I remember coming home and her asking me ‘Are you happy?’ Because if you’re not happy, you don’t have to continue. I believe that shaped me as a human being. I always felt supported at home and motivated to chase my dreams,” shared Gabi. “True equality isn’t only about prize money or visibility. It’s also about ensuring that a girl who dreams of becoming an athlete receives the same encouragement, the same professional support and the same confidence that a boy does. I truly hope that in the coming years, sports continue to be a space where performance speaks louder than gender.”
“Competing in an equal environment is such an honor and something I don't take for granted,” American volleyball legend Jordan Larson pointed out. “Being empowered and knowing we are capable to do so much more does more than just build confidence; it sets up a great foundation for the future.”
Reigning Olympic and world champion Alessia Orro of Italy beleives competing in an equal environment allows athletes to focus purely on performance. “Competing in an equal environment means being evaluated for your talent, commitment and mindset; not for your gender. It creates a sense of respect that pushes you to give your best every day, because you know what truly matters is the work you put in. This has taught me that equality is not just a sporting achievement, but a life model. It has given me the confidence to pursue any goals, on and off the court, without limits imposed by others. Sport is a mirror of society: if an equitable and sustainable model works here, it can work elsewhere too.“
“I admire women who turn challenges into opportunities. They can be athletes, entrepreneurs, mothers, or coaches – what they share is determination combined with kindness. I believe true strength is the ability to inspire others to believe in themselves, and that is the kind of example I strive to follow every day.”
Beach volleyball makes this balance especially visible, as women and men compete side by side at the same venues, in the same formats and for the same prize money.
“The athleticism, power, strategy and emotional intensity of women’s beach and indoor volleyball are now front and center,” said Australia’s Kerri Pottharst, a two-time Olympic medalist and a Sydney 2000 Olympic champion in beach volleyball. “People aren’t watching out of curiosity anymore; they’re watching because the product is world class. As someone who played in an era when we were still fighting for legitimacy, it’s incredibly powerful to see young girls now growing up seeing packed stadiums, prime-time coverage and athletes who are celebrated for performance first. That’s a shift that matters.”
“The volleyball court has always been the area where I feel most confident,” American beach star Kristen Nuss told Volleyball World. “I would be super shy in public, but as soon as I set foot on a court and started competing, I became a different person. I would tell all young women it’s OK to be confident in yourself. I would actually highly encourage it! Believe in yourself and dream big!”
Nuss’s partner in the sand, Taryn Brasher, also has some advice for young women starting out in the sport: “Be kind to yourself. The way you speak to yourself matters more than you realize. Offer yourself the same grace, encouragement and patience you would give someone you care about. Confidence grows when you learn to balance accountability with compassion. Push yourself to be better, but also recognize your effort, celebrate your progress and allow yourself room to learn. You deserve both high standards and grace.”
