College volleyball in the United States is incredibly popular, especially among women. Women’s college volleyball has been one of the largest collegiate sports for years. Many volleyball players who excel at the college level later transition to professional volleyball and achieve impressive success worldwide. In this article, we will discuss the five best college volleyball players of all time, who have achieved great successes both on the college court and beyond.

1. Kerri Walsh Jennings

University: Stanford University

We start with one of the biggest names in volleyball: Kerri Walsh Jennings. As a three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball (2004, 2008, 2012), Walsh Jennings is a living legend.

She began her volleyball career in college, playing for Stanford University, where she won the NCAA Championship in 1996. In addition to her three Olympic gold medals, Walsh Jennings has won numerous world titles and many FIVB tournaments. Her exceptional technical skills and strategic insight make her one of the most successful athletes in the history of beach volleyball.

2. Phil Dalhausser

University: University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Phil Dalhausser is undoubtedly one of the greatest male beach volleyball players of all time. With his Olympic gold medal in 2008 (together with Todd Rogers) and numerous victories on the FIVB World Tour, Dalhausser has left his mark on the sport.

During his college years at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), he already made an impression with his versatility on the court and technical skills. After his college career, Dalhausser transitioned to beach volleyball, where he established himself as one of the most formidable players on the international tour. He is known for his exceptional serving, blocking, and impressive overall game insight.

3. Misty May-Treanor

University: Long Beach State University

Misty May-Treanor is one of the most successful female athletes in the history of beach volleyball. She won three Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012) and played alongside Kerri Walsh Jennings as part of the golden duo that dominated the world.

May-Treanor played college volleyball for Long Beach State University, where she further developed her undeniable talents. Her groundbreaking achievements in both indoor and beach volleyball make her one of the most versatile and admired athletes of all time. Her leadership on the court and her ability to perform in key moments solidified her status as a legend.

4. Logan Tom

University: Stanford University

Logan Tom is a star in both college volleyball and professional volleyball. She played for Stanford University, where she led her team to multiple NCAA championships and was named an All-American.

Her versatility as an outside hitter was quickly recognized, leading her to transition to professional volleyball. Tom won multiple Olympic medals, including two silver medals in 2008 and 2012. Her impressive career was particularly marked by an undeniable work ethic, which helped lead her team to countless victories.

5. Madisen Skinner

University: Texas State University

Madisen Skinner is currently regarded as one of the greatest talents in the volleyball world. The outside hitter for the Texas Longhorns continues to showcase her skills in college. Over the past three seasons, she has led her team to secure the title of National Champion each time, an unprecedented achievement. In 2023, she personally guided her team to victory during the Final Four.

But Skinner is not only showcasing her skills with the Longhorns; she has also become a part of the U.S. National Team and has already accumulated a number of international matches to her name.

6. Ron Zwerver

University: Oregon State University

Our own Ron Zwerver holds a unique place in the volleyball world, both as a coach and a player. He had a legendary career in international volleyball. Zwerver was part of the Dutch National Team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, after a thrilling final against Italy.

In the United States, he served as the coach of the women’s volleyball team at Oregon State University for four years, competing at the highest level in Division 1. After his time as a coach at Oregon State, where he passed on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of players, Ron has been a key figure at Slamstox for several years. There, he uses his expertise to help young athletes achieve their dreams in America. It’s clear: Zwerver remains an influential force in the world of volleyball.

The volleyball players we mentioned above have proven themselves not only on the college court but also on the international stage. They are all living proof of the value of college volleyball as a stepping stone to top international careers.

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