Brno, Czech Republic, September 7, 2014. Mederic Henry was the tallest player who took part in the Final Round of the 2014 CEV U20 Volleyball European Championship - Men while Jeremie Mouiel was the shortest volleyballer at the event in Brno and Nitra. Despite the great difference in size between them, they both achieved the same success at the tournament – a podium spot and a bronze medal with the team of France.
“It is pleasant to win a medal, but I would have preferred one of a better color,” Mederic commented upon his team’s victory in the third place match.
“After we lost the semifinal against Poland, it was difficult to play again, but we put our act together, we earned a medal and it is great,” added Jeremie.
Mederic Henry is towering at 212 cm and shares the perks of European Championship’s tallest player with Russia’s Ilia Vlasov, who is of the same height. The French middle blocker has a standing reach of 273 cm and a spike reach of 346 cm. Mederic was initially playing football, but he did not like it. His sister was playing volleyball and he followed her example. He started his career in a small village, but he has moved up to the top division of the French domestic league and next season will play for the men’s team of Arago de SETE.
The story of the 176-cm-tall French libero Jeremie Mouiel is not much different. He also started playing football first, when he was younger. But his mother was a volleyball player and he started playing beach volleyball with his parents at the seaside. He liked it a lot, so he chose volleyball as the sport of his athletic career. He started at AS CANNES and as of next season he will be on the roster at AVIGNON playing in France’s second-tier men’s league.
Commenting on whether size matters in volleyball, Mederic Henry said: “My height generally helps me to attack high balls and gives me an advantage in blocking. But the little ones can move faster.”
“In volleyball size is not the most important thing. It matters more how quick and skillful a player is,” pointed out Jeremie Mouiel, answering the same question.
So obviously in volleyball size is important for what functions a player may perform better on the court. But volleyball is a team sport and European Championship medalists and teammates Mederic and Jeremie are the living proof that size does not matter when it comes down to what heights you can reach.