Anna DeBeer’s first time away from the United States turns out to be a memorable one.
Taking a leap of faith outside of her comfort zone, Anna DeBeer didn’t know what to expect about her first volleyball experience away from the United States.
For the 24-year-old, it was only a matter of getting her feet wet overseas, following a standout NCAA Division I career with the Louisville Cardinals, and her eventual leap to Indy Ignite in Major League Volleyball.
Yet what began as a learning experience quickly turned into an opportunity of a lifetime for the proud Louisville native, who led the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles to a franchise-best run in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
With DeBeer leading the charge, the Thunderbelles made it all the way to the championship round, where they took home a silver medal after falling to the Petro Gazz Angels in four sets.
“Yeah, obviously we fell short, but I’m just really grateful to be part of this team,” DeBeer told a few reporters after the Reinforced Conference finals on Sunday. “I told the girls this has been the most unreal experience! I had no clue it was going to be this amazing coming into it, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
At just 24, DeBeer embodied heart over height with ZUS Coffee, standing out despite being the youngest and shortest among this year’s batch of reinforcements.
The American spiker’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed either, as she took home the Best Foreign Guest Player after impressing with her mix of court smarts and natural athleticism. Apart from the accolade, DeBeer also cemented herself as a local fan-favorite, while ZUS Coffee celebrated her impact by wearing “Fear DeBeer” shirts during the awarding ceremonies
“It’s really cool! I didn’t even know this was a thing. So when I heard my name being called, I was like ‘This is just so awesome’, and I’m just really grateful for everyone,” she said.
On top of the medals and fanfare, the Philippines also gave Anna DeBeer a fresh start, as it allowed her to make a name without the hype of being a former NCAA Division I star with Louisville.
“Yeah, it’s definitely really cool! Fresh start and just being in a new country, new fans and everything, I really am thankful for them; they made this so enjoyable and made me want to work harder just to make the fans happy, so it was just a really cool opportunity,” DeBeer reflected.
Now that her PVL debut has come to an end, Anna DeBeer leaves the Philippines having found a home away from home, with her name firmly entrenched in the hearts of the local fans and her ZUS Coffee teammates.
Through her short, but sweet stay, DeBeer became the perfect ingredient for the Thunderbelles’ winning brew, all while dazzling the crowd as she lifted her new team into previously unseen heights.
“Obviously I was very nervous for the whole experience, just being my first overseas pro experience, so when I met [ZUS Coffee], they made it so easy, and they welcomed me. I think that really made the transition easier, and allowed me to feel like I had a home for three months and I’m really grateful for that,” said the former Louisville Cardinal.
Should the stars align, then Anna DeBeer might be another returning import we’ll see down the line in the Reinforced Conference.
“Everyone’s been asking me! I’m not sure and it’ll depend on how everything works out, but I would love to be back and it’s been great so far.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.