Hindered by limited opportunities — largely due to her height — Filipino-Canadian outside hitter Yveian Orpiano has come home to chase her volleyball dreams in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
Standing at just 5-foot-4, Orpiano is well aware of the uphill battle she faces in a league dominated by taller and more seasoned outside hitters. But what she lacks in stature, she makes up for in passion and energy — qualities she believes will set her apart in the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft.
“Realistically speaking, I had no future in Canada for volleyball as being 5’4. You’re always kind of overlooked, especially when you’re shorter. This window opened for me last December, and I just kind of took the opportunity to play with my [Filipino] people and show them what short [Filipinos] can do on the court,” she shared.
(C) PVL Images
Despite her modest playing time during her collegiate career at Concordia University of Edmonton — where she mostly served as a reserve — Orpiano remains confident that she can make an impact at the professional level.
“Right now, there’s lots of things that I can improve and bring to the table as everyone here is skilled, fast, diverse. I think I can bring in the energy to the league,” she added.
With teams having little background on her, Orpiano sees the PVL Rookie Combine as a make-or-break opportunity — not just for herself, but for other overseas-based hopefuls eager to prove their worth.
“It’s very crucial [draft combine], especially for foreign players since we weren’t exposed to the UAAP or the NCAA. I think it’s really important for the other players from different countries to be able to show their skills in the combine,” she said.
(C) PVL Images
Orpiano draws inspiration from fellow Filipino-Canadian Alleiah Torres, who paved her way into the league through the draft after a strong showing at the combine. Torres has since become a two-time PVL champion with Creamline.
“I think she’s one of the first Fil-Canadians that I saw break the barrier of [players] coming from overseas to play in the Philippines and I really look up to her,” Orpiano said of the 12th overall pick in the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft.
#WATCH: Concordia Edmonton’s Yveian Orpiano admits she’s small and lacked experience in Canada — that’s why she’s taking a chance in the #PVLDraft 🏐
📹 Jonash Dannug/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/qgBCcjfpra
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 30, 2025
