ZUS Coffee’s Anna DeBeer embraces ‘height doesn’t matter’ mindset in impressive PVL debut

Anna DeBeer, standing at 5-foot-11 and the shortest import in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, demonstrated that height is not a barrier in volleyball with a standout debut performance for ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles. In their victory against Chery Tiggo, which was won in four sets (25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23) at the City of Dasmariñas Arena, DeBeer played a crucial role in powering her team to success.

DeBeer erupted for 37 points in the match, comprising 35 attacks, one block, and one ace, nearly matching the conference-high of 38 points set by Farm Fresh's Helene Rousseaux. This explosive performance marked her official debut in the tournament, following an eligibility delay that had postponed ZUS Coffee's original opening-day win against Akari, allowing her to make a significant impact.

Despite being the shortest among the imports, DeBeer emphasized that height does not define her game, drawing from her experience in the U.S. where such perceptions are challenged. She stated that she focuses on hard work, preparation through film study, and continuous improvement from each game to bridge any gaps against taller opponents, highlighting the importance of training and strategic analysis.

Looking ahead, DeBeer views this debut as just the beginning, with the 24-year-old determined to help the Thunderbelles contend for their first PVL crown, underscoring her commitment to achieving bigger goals in the tournament.