The best volleyball hairstyles are the ones you don’t think about once the serve is in the air: braids that grip, ponytails that swing without whipping, and buns that hold through a five-set match. This season, the shift is toward lived-in color and glossy natural texture, so your game-day style can look polished without looking stiff.
These 28 Volleyball Hairstyles span the spectrum from five-minute ponytails to intricate braided updos, with options for every hair density and texture. Whether your hair is fine and slippery or thick and wavy, there’s a style here that stays put from warm-up to match point. No more re-tightening a drooping ponytail or tucking the same stray strand behind your ear for the hundredth time.
Double Braided High Ponytails for Thick Wavy Hair
The side part keeps the look sporty, and the blonde shade shows off the braid pattern clearly. Run a smoothing serum over the braids before securing the ponytails for a polished finish, then tie them tight enough that they don’t shift during a rally. A trim every six to eight weeks keeps the ends from splitting, especially if you play outdoors often.
Mid-Back Fishtail Braid with Brown Highlights
A fishtail braid takes more patience than a standard three-strand braid, but the payoff is a flat, intricate pattern that holds its shape all match. The blonde base with brown highlights adds dimension, so the weave reads clearly even from the back of the court. Ask your stylist for: mid-back fishtail braid.
This style suits medium-density wavy hair that reaches mid-back; too little length and the braid turns stubby, too much and it gets heavy. The middle part keeps it symmetrical, and the braid itself stays secure without constant retying. If you want a fuller, softer look, gently pull on the outer edges of the braid to loosen them slightly. Keep the baseline trimmed every six weeks so the ends stay neat.
Sleek Mid-Back Bubble Ponytail
If you’re deciding between a braid and a ponytail, this sleek bubble ponytail splits the difference: it has the structure of a braid but the swing of a ponytail. Light brown hair with blonde highlights is sectioned with multiple elastics, creating a series of rounded bubbles down to mid-back. Ask your stylist for: sleek bubble ponytail to mid-back.
This is a salon-grade style, not a five-minute DIY, because each section needs to be smoothed and secured evenly. Thick, straight hair gives the cleanest result; wavy hair tends to frizz between the elastics. Use a fine-tooth comb to lay the base flat before you start. The blonde highlights need a toning appointment every eight to ten weeks to stay bright.
High Ponytail with Intricate Braids
Wondering how to add detail without committing to a full braid? This high ponytail weaves multiple tight braids along the hairline, then gathers everything into a mid-back ponytail. The dark brown base with subtle highlights gives the braids depth, and the wavy texture keeps the ponytail from looking flat. Ask your stylist for: high ponytail with hairline braids.
Thick, wavy hair carries this style best, since the braids need enough density to stay woven and the ponytail needs volume to look balanced. The middle part keeps the face clear, which matters when you’re diving for a dig. A light-hold hairspray on the hairline braids keeps flyaways down through a long game. Trim every six to eight weeks to keep the ends healthy.
Dark Brown Thick Bubble Ponytail
A bubble ponytail is essentially a ponytail with training wheels: each section is cinched with an elastic, so the hair can’t tangle or slip mid-game. This dark brown version runs straight and thick to mid-back, with yellow hair ties marking each bubble. Ask your stylist for: dark brown bubble ponytail with elastics.
The sleekness is the catch. Straight, thick hair holds the smooth look well, but any humidity or sweat will make the sections puff up. Pull each section taut as you add the elastics, and the bubbles stay round and defined through a full match. Since there’s no color processing here, upkeep is just a trim every eight to ten weeks to keep the ends blunt and the bubbles even.
Blonde Cornrows into High Top Knot
Cornrows demand precision, and this version delivers it with a side part and a sleek high top knot. The fine, straight texture of this shoulder-length cut holds the braid pattern cleanly, and the side-swept bang stays in place. Ask your stylist for: cornrows into a high top knot with side-swept bangs. This is a salon booking. The cornrows will need a touch-up every two to three weeks to keep the partings crisp. The top knot itself is a simple finishing step you can replicate at home.
Two Braided Buns for Thick Wavy Hair
The double braided bun setup works best when the hair has enough weight and grip to hold the structure. Thick, wavy hair at mid-back length provides exactly that, and the dark brown base with subtle highlights keeps the braids from looking flat. A middle part splits the hair evenly so each bun sits at the same height. Ask your stylist for: two braided buns. Oval faces get a balanced frame from this symmetrical shape, while round faces might find the side volume widens the face more than desired. The braids themselves keep the buns secure through a full match, and the layers in the cut prevent any bulk at the nape.
Braids into Ponytail with Loose Waves
Can braids and loose waves coexist in a style that survives a volleyball game? Yes, if you build the braids from the crown and leave the ponytail length for the wave. This long, thick, wavy hair starts with a middle part and braids that feed into a mid-back ponytail, where the blonde base with dark roots and highlights gets its texture. Ask your stylist for: braids into a ponytail with waves. The braided section stays put for the entire game, but the waves in the tail will soften after about an hour of movement. A texture spray on the ponytail ends before you leave the house buys you another hour of definition. Trim the long layers every eight weeks to keep the waves from tangling at the ends.
Simple Shoulder-Length Ponytail
A shoulder-length ponytail is about as low-commitment as it gets. Blonde, straight, thick hair pulls back cleanly from a middle part, and the shoulder length means the tail won’t whip into your face during a serve. Ask your stylist for: shoulder-length ponytail. To do it at home, gather the hair at the crown with a strong elastic, then smooth the top section with a boar-bristle brush. That is it, no sections, no products. The style takes under two minutes and costs nothing in tools. A salon trim every eight weeks keeps the ends blunt so the ponytail falls evenly.
Wavy Mid-Back Blowout with Face-Framing Layers
Does a blowout belong on a volleyball court? Only if the curtain bangs and face-framing layers are cut to stay out of the eyes. This mid-back, thick, wavy hair with blonde highlights gets a middle part and soft layers that wrap around the jaw, not over it. Ask your stylist for: mid-back blowout with face-framing layers and curtain bangs. The style suits oval and heart-shaped faces best, because the layers add width at the cheekbone without overwhelming the chin. A round brush and a blow-dryer are all you need at home, and the waves hold for a full practice if you let them cool before moving. Trim the curtain bangs every four weeks and the baseline every six.
Shoulder-Length Double Dutch Braids with Green Tips
The precision of these double dutch braids is what makes them work, with each section woven tightly from the front all the way down to the shoulder. The platinum blonde base gets a playful finish with subtle green tips, a detail that adds personality without getting in the way. Fine, wavy hair takes to this braided style well, since the texture helps the braids hold their shape. Ask your stylist for: double dutch braids to the shoulders with green tips. Apply a texturizing spray before braiding for better grip, and plan for a toning visit every 8 to 10 weeks to keep the blonde bright.
Shoulder-Length Fishtail Braid into Bun
Compared to a simple braided bun, this fishtail braid into a bun delivers a more intricate, textured finish that reads as deliberately styled. The wavy texture of medium-density hair gives the braid body, while the shoulder-length cut keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy. Ask your stylist for: fishtail braid into a crown bun. It is a salon-level style, but the result holds well through a match. Secure the bun with bobby pins and a strong-hold hairspray, and keep the baseline trimmed every six weeks so the braid stays neat.
Mid-Back Dutch Braid with Loose Tail
The voluminous dutch braid stands out because of the thickness and wave of the hair, with the loose tail left curled at the end for a softer finish. This mid-back length gives the braid enough weight to sit prominently, and the subtle highlights add dimension along the weave. Ask your stylist for: voluminous dutch braid with a loose tail. The tail can unravel during long wear, so secure the ends with a small elastic and a bit of texturizing spray to keep the waves defined. The style suits thick hair best, as finer textures may not hold the braid’s volume.
For upkeep, a trim every six weeks keeps the ends from looking ragged, especially with the loose tail. The middle part keeps the style symmetrical, and the braid itself stays put through a full game. If you are between washes, a dry shampoo at the roots helps maintain grip without flattening the braid.
Collarbone Double Dutch Braids into Low Buns
The neatness of these double dutch braids comes from the straight, thick texture of the hair, which allows for clean, even sections. Each braid ends in a low bun at the collarbone, a style that keeps everything off the face and neck during play. Ask your stylist for: double dutch braids into low buns at collarbone length. This is a salon-level technique that requires precision, so it is not a quick DIY. Secure the buns with pins and a strong hairspray, and trim the baseline every six weeks to maintain the shape.
Messy Bun with Braided Accents
The messy bun gets its structure from the braided accents woven through, which add detail without making the style look overly done. Thick, wavy hair at mid-back length provides the volume needed for this bun to look full rather than flat. Ask your stylist for: messy bun with braided accents. The trade-off is that achieving the right balance of mess and intent takes more time than you would expect, so it is not a five-minute style. Use a texturizing spray before gathering the hair to enhance the waves and grip, and trim every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the ends healthy.
This style holds well during athletic activity, but the loose pieces around the face may need a bobby pin or two to stay put. The middle part keeps the front clean, and the bun sits high enough to avoid interfering with movement.
Mid-Back Box Braids with Blue Ombre
Box braids this long need a solid foundation, and the ombre transition from blonde to blue keeps a statement style from looking flat. The middle part and straight finish keep the focus on the technique and the color, not the texture. This style suits thick hair at mid-back length, where the braids hang evenly and the ombre has enough canvas to read clearly.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back box braids with blonde to blue ombre. The transition between shades requires careful application at the root-to-color boundary, so plan for a salon session that takes several hours. A braid balm at the roots and ends keeps the hair moisturized and the braids neat between matches.
Shoulder-Length French Braid into Low Ponytail
Does a French braid really stay put on shoulder-length hair? Yes, as long as the braid is worked close to the scalp and the ponytail is secured with a firm elastic. The neat braid and low ponytail on straight, medium-density blonde hair with a root shadow is a salon-leaning style that reads as clean and intentional. Ask your stylist for: French braid into a low ponytail. A tail comb creates the cleanest part, and a light hold spray at the roots prevents flyaways during play.
Mid-Back French Braid into Low Ponytail, Dark Brown
The clean lines of a French braid on thick, straight dark brown hair are the point, and the low ponytail keeps the length from swinging into the court. This style stays secure if the braid is woven tightly and the ponytail is anchored with a second elastic. Ask your stylist for: French braid into a low ponytail. A smoothing cream applied before braiding controls the thick texture and gives the whole style a polished finish. Trim the baseline every six to eight weeks to keep the ends from fraying.
The middle part and even lighting emphasize the braid’s consistency from crown to nape. That precision is what keeps the style from slipping during a serve or a dive. Wear it for a full match without a touch-up.
Secure High Bun for Dark Brown Hair
A high bun is one of the most straightforward ways to keep thick, straight dark brown hair out of the way during a game, and the side view shows exactly how tight it needs to be at the crown. The middle part keeps the front clean, and the bun itself is centered for balance. Ask your stylist for: tight high bun. At home, a strong-hold hairspray and bobby pins are enough to secure it, and the whole process takes under five minutes. Trim the baseline every six weeks for a neat finish.
This is a true DIY style, so no salon visit is required once the hair is at the right length. The mid-back length wraps into a bun that stays compact, and the straight texture helps the style hold its shape without extra product.
Collarbone Complex Braided Updo
A complex braided updo at collarbone length requires a stylist who can weave multiple strands into a single cohesive structure without leaving loose ends. The dark brown hair with subtle highlights appears as one piece, but the back view reveals several smaller braids feeding into a larger braided frame. Ask your stylist for: complex braided updo. A texturizing spray helps the medium wavy sections grip each other, and a side part adds asymmetry to the design.
Mid-Back Braids into High Ponytail
Ever wonder how to get the security of braids without committing to them for the whole length? Two braids along the scalp that meet in a high ponytail give you exactly that. On thick, wavy dark blonde hair with subtle highlights, the braids add grip at the roots while the ponytail swings free to mid-back.
This braids into high ponytail style suits thick, wavy hair that already has some length to work with. Ask your stylist for: braids meeting in a high ponytail. The trick is the base: a tight elastic at the meeting point keeps the whole thing from slipping mid-game. A trim every six to eight weeks keeps the ends from fraying.
Mid-Back Double Braids in Reddish Brown
There is something quietly satisfying about a pair of braids that lie flat and thick, especially in a rich reddish brown. The middle part keeps the look symmetrical, and the wavy texture gives the braids volume instead of a skinny, stringy line.
These double braids genuinely flatter thick, wavy hair at mid-back length. If your texture is fine or your layers are too short, the braids will slip and look scraggly, so keep that in mind. Ask your stylist for: double braids. Braid tightly, all the way down, and they will stay put through a full match. Plan on a trim every six to eight weeks to keep the ends blunt and healthy.
Mid-Back Ponytail with Braided Sections
Set against a plain ponytail, this one has a lot more going on: multiple small braided sections, secured with green elastics, all feeding into one thick, straight dark brown ponytail that falls to mid-back.
The braids add texture and hold, but they also create uneven tension at the scalp. Worn too tight for too long, they can pull and cause discomfort or even breakage, so loosen them a touch if you feel a headache coming on. Ask your stylist for: high ponytail with braided sections. It is a salon-leaning look, but the payoff is a ponytail that stays put. Keep the small braids snug before combining them, and trim every six to eight weeks.
Side View Cornrows into Low Bun
The mistake people make with cornrows into a bun is trying to do it themselves the night before a game. Multiple neat cornrows that flow into a low bun at the nape require a professional hand to keep the tension even and the lines clean.
Ask your stylist for: multiple cornrows into a low bun. This is a salon style, full stop. On thick, straight light brown hair, the braids lie flat and the bun stays secure through any rally. A scalp oil keeps the braids from drying out, and the bun needs a touch-up every six to eight weeks as the hair grows.
Sleek Mid-Back High Ponytail with Baby Hairs
A sleek high ponytail on fine, straight dark brown hair with caramel highlights is a polished, low-fuss look, but it comes with a trade-off. Achieving that glassy finish takes significant product and heat styling, which over time can damage fine strands.
If your hair is already fragile or you prefer a low-heat routine, this may not be the everyday style for you. Ask your stylist for: sleek high ponytail with baby hairs. The baby hairs soften the pulled-back look, but they need a bit of control: a boar bristle brush and a light hairspray keep them in place. A trim every six weeks keeps the ends from splitting.
High Ponytail During Beach Volleyball
When the ball is in the air, the last thing you need is hair in your face. This high ponytail on thick, straight blonde hair is the volleyball ponytail at its most functional, with a middle part and a clean pull-back that stays put through serves and dives. It suits shoulder-length hair that is thick and straight, keeping every strand off the neck. Ask your stylist for: high ponytail for sports. Secure it with a strong elastic, and a texturizing spray adds grip for extra hold. A trim every six weeks keeps the ends tidy.
Mid-Back Fishtail Braid from Side Part
A fishtail braid on thick, wavy dark brown hair looks intricate, but the pattern naturally loosens as the game goes on. Starting from a side part, the braid reaches mid-back, with subtle layers softening the tail and a glossy finish that reflects light. It suits thick, wavy hair of mid-back length, since the weight helps the braid hold its shape.
Ask your stylist for: fishtail braid with a side part. Braid tightly from the start so the pattern keeps its definition through a full match. The side part also keeps the hair off the face without needing pins. Trim every six to eight weeks to stop the ends from splitting.
Mid-Back Ponytail with Braided Crown, Blonde Highlights
How do you make a ponytail feel like more than a ponytail? Add a braided crown. This mid-back style pairs a high ponytail with a braid that wraps the top of the head, all on thick, wavy blonde hair with highlights. Loose, curly tendrils frame the face, and the side part keeps the front soft.
The braided crown sits neatly above the ponytail, so ask for exactly that. Ask your stylist for: high ponytail with a braided crown. This is a salon-leaning style, since the crown needs a steady hand to stay even. Curl the face-framing tendrils gently for a softer finish, and trim every six to eight weeks.
Final Thoughts
If your hair is fine or slippery, lean on Dutch or French braids that grip the scalp, or anchor a ponytail with texturizing spray and a second elastic. For thick or heavy hair, a high bun or a tight braid keeps the weight off your neck during long rallies.
- Trim braids and ponytails every 6-8 weeks to maintain shape.
- Scalp scrub before braiding prevents buildup.
- Heat protectant before any blow-drying or styling.
- Wash 1-2 times a week, focusing on the scalp.
Focus on performance, but don’t sacrifice your personal style on the court.
