Yveian Orpiano knows she’s not the typical outside hitter.
Standing at just 5-foot-4, the Filipino-Canadian athlete has never let her size define her game — and now, she’s making her biggest leap yet, coming home to the Philippines to chase her volleyball dream in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
It’s a bold move. One rooted not just in the pursuit of playing time, but in a desire to be seen — to be recognized for her skill, hustle, and unrelenting energy. While many aspiring pros work their way through the ranks of the UAAP or NCAA, Orpiano’s path has been unconventional, shaped by setbacks and sidelining in Canada, where volleyball opportunities were limited for someone of her build.
“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.
Orpiano, who played sparingly at Concordia University of Edmonton, is banking on her PVL Rookie Draft Combine performance to rewrite her narrative. She may not have a long highlight reel or a list of collegiate accolades, but she brings intangibles that can't be measured by statistics alone.
“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.
That energy was on full display during the combine, where she showed up not just to be counted, but to be noticed. For Orpiano, the combine is more than a showcase — it's a shot at validation in a league that could so easily overlook her again.
“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 emphasized.
Her journey mirrors that of Aleiah Torres, another Filipino-Canadian who broke barriers last year. Drafted 12th overall by Creamline in 2024, Torres has already won two PVL championships with the powerhouse Cool Smashers, proving that talent and heart often matter more than background or prestige.
“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.
