All The Babes
Maret Grothues
Also known as Maret Balkestein-Grothues
Career
Active 1996 – present
Biography
About Maret Grothues
Maret Grothues is a Dutch volleyball player, and her career on the court began back in 1996. Inspired by the Dutch men's team winning Olympic gold in Atlanta that year, she started playing with the club Krekkers. She has been active ever since, spanning three decades. Her international debut came in June 2008, at the Montreux Volley Masters against Cuba. Grothues has been a staple on the national team, though an Achilles heel injury kept her out of action in 2014. At the 2010 World Championship, she won the "best server" trophy. She played in the European Championships in 2012, 2013, and 2014. By 2016, she had earned 244 caps for her country.
In 2015, she became the team captain, leading the Dutch squad at the European Games in Baku. The following year, the Netherlands made their long-awaited return to the Olympics after a 20-year absence. Grothues injured her ankle during the second group-stage match, but she managed to return for the knockout rounds, though with limited minutes. The team finished in fourth place. In May 2021, she signed with the Greek club Panathinaikos. At 37 years old, she remains an active player. Standing at 5'11" with an average build, she has built a career on versatility and consistency. Her Instagram following has grown to 34k. Born in Almelo, Netherlands, she is Dutch and of Caucasian ethnicity. Grothues is a straight woman who has dedicated her life to sport. Her journey from a young girl inspired by Olympic glory to a team captain and international competitor marks her as one of the notable figures in Dutch volleyball.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Years Active
- 1996-present (30 years active)
- Birthplace
- Almelo, Netherlands
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Sexuality
- Straight
Body
- Weight
- 150 lbs (or 68 kg)
Extra
- Instagram Followers
- 34k (as of June 2026)
Frequently asked
What was a highlight of her 2010 season?
She won the 'best server' trophy at the 2010 World Championship.
When did she become the Dutch team captain?
She was promoted to captain in 2015, prior to the European Games in Baku.
What injury kept her out of the national team in 2014?
She suffered an Achilles heel injury.
Which club did she join in 2021?
She signed with Greek club Panathinaikos on 6 May 2021.
Did you know
- She started playing volleyball in 1996, the same year the Dutch men's team won Olympic gold in Atlanta.
- Her international debut came in June 2008 against Cuba at the Montreux Volley Masters.
- She accumulated 244 caps for the Dutch national team as of 2016.
- She was injured during the 2016 Olympics but returned for the knockout rounds, where the Netherlands finished fourth.
More Dutch Sportswoman: Volleyball Player profiles
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