Black female volleyball players continue to excel in the sport. From early pioneer athletes, like Flo Hyman, to emerging stars, like Jordan Thompson, Black women continue to break ceilings in volleyball. For example, in 2018, an all-Black woman team won the USA Volleyball Open National Championship for the first time. Here are seven Black female volleyball players serving on and off the court.
Flo Hyman
Flo Hyman is one of the best volleyball players ever. Hyman was the University of Houston’s first female scholarship athlete. From her days in undergrad, she won the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Player of the Year award in 1976. Hyman’s other notable accomplishments include winning an Olympic silver medal in 1984. Unfortunately, the pioneer athlete passed away in 1986 after suffering complications from Marfan syndrome, a heart condition. In 1988, Hyman was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson
Currently, Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson is a volleyball player for the Japanese club Hisamitsu Springs. However, throughout her career, Gunderson has earned three Olympic medals. In 2019, she welcomed her first child Olukayode Ayodele Gunderson with her husband Jonathan. During her undergraduate matriculation, the athlete played women’s volleyball at Stanford. There, she averaged the best career hitting efficiency of any NCAA Division I player.
Jordan Thompson
Jordan Thompson is an up-and-coming volleyball player for the United States women’s national volleyball team and LOVB Pro team LOVB Houston. Thompson comes from an equally athletic family, as her father was a Harlem Globetrotter for eight years. In addition, her uncle is Chris Doleman, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Thompson has already earned two Olympic medals. During undergrad at the University of Cincinnati, the athlete set the record for 827 kills during the 2018 season.
Haleigh Washington
Haleigh Washington also plays volleyball for the United States women’s national team. Washington played the middle blocker position for the Penn State women’s volleyball team. In 2023, the volleyball player made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. This is partly because Washington helped her United States women’s national volleyball team win its first Olympic gold medal in 2020. That same year, the athlete ranked the best middle blocker in the tournament.
Chiaka Ogbogu
Chiaka Ogbogu is a highly talented volleyball player. Ogbogu also plays middle blocker for the United States women’s volleyball team. Over the years, the star athlete has earned many props for her blocking ability. This includes winning silver at the 2024 Olympic Games and a gold medal at the 2021 Olympics. In addition, at the 2024 Olympics, she earned the title of Best Blocker. Along with playing for the U.S., Ogbogu has played internationally in Italy, Poland and Turkey.
Destinee Hooker
Destinee Hooker is an American indoor volleyball player. Hooker’s notable achievements include being named best spiker at the 2012 Olympic Games. In undergrad, she played track and field and volleyball at the University of Texas. In addition, Hooker is one of seven players in her alma mater’s program history to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors all four years.
Falyn Fonoimoana
Falyn Fonoimoana is both a professional indoor and beach volleyball player. Fonoimoana also has athletes in her family. Her uncle, Eric Fonoimoana, won a gold medal in beach volleyball at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Fonoimoana was even selected to participate in the 2015 Pan American In 2022, Fonoimoana joined Athletes Unlimited, an American professional league. At the conclusion of her season, she ranked #19 out of the 44 players.