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I learned that a spike is an attacking shot over the net that is hit in the opponents side of the court
-Jackie Lopez

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I learned that Volleyball was invented by a YMCA instructor.
-Jeanette Magallan

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The history of volleyball began way back when the sport was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, an instructor with the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

William G. Morgan decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball.

He created the game of Volleyball (at that time called mintonette). Morgan borrowed the net from tennis, and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the average man's head.

During a demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be volleying the ball back and forth over the net, and perhaps "volleyball" would be a more descriptive name for the sport.

The history of volleyball reveals that on July 7th 1896, at Springfield College the first game of "volleyball" was played.

There is a good book, " Volleyball Centennial : The First 100 Years", available on the history of volleyball.

The first volleyball net, borrowed from tennis, was only 6'6″ high (though you need to remember that the average American was shorter in the 19th century).

The offensive style of setting and spiking was first demonstrated in the Philippines in 1916. Over the years that followed, it became clear that standard rules were needed for tournament play, and thus the USVBA (United States Volleyball Association) was formed in 1928.

Two years later, the first 2-man beach volleyball game was played, though the professional side of the sport did not emerge until much later. Not surprisingly, the first beach volleyball association appeared in California (1965), and the professional players united under the auspices of the AVP (American Volleyball Professionals) in 1983.

During the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, American men and women took gold and silver medals in indoor volleyball competition. Four years later at the Olympics in Korea, the men once again scored gold. Starting in 1996, 2-man beach volleyball was officially introduced to the Olympics. Today, there are more than 800 million volleyball players worldwide, 46 million of them in the U.S.

FIVB History Video Presentation

The History of Volleyball - A Timeline of Significant Volleyball Events

In 1900, a special ball was designed for the sport.

In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were introduced.

In 1917, the game was changed from 21 to 15 points.

In 1920, three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.

In 1922, the first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11 states were represented.

In 1928, it became clear that tournaments and rules were needed, the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA, now USA Volleyball) was formed. The first U.S. Open was staged, as the field was open to non-YMCA squads.

In 1930, the first two-man beach game was played.

In 1934, the approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.

In 1937, at the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball Association as the official national governing body in the U.S.

In 1947, the Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) was founded.

In 1948, the first two-man beach tournament was held.

In 1949, the initial World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

In 1964, Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

In 1965, the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.

In 1974, the World Championships in Mexico were telecast in Japan.

In 1975, the US National Women's team began a year-round training regime in Pasadena, Texas (moved to Colorado Springs in 1979, Coto de Caza and Fountain Valley, CA in 1980, and San Diego, CA in 1985).

In 1977, the US National Men's team began a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio (moved to San Diego, CA in 1981).

In 1983, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.

In 1984, the US won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold, and the Women the Silver.

In 1986, the Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.

In 1988, the US Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.

In 1990, the World League was created.

In 1995, the sport of Volleyball was 100 years old!

In 1996, 2-person beach volleyball will be an Olympic Sport.

Volleyball Court Central > History of Volleyball

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The History Of Volleyball & Timeline Of Significant Events

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The history of volleyball began way back when the sport was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, an instructor with the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. William G. Morgan decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball.

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Ninh explains the Rules of Volleyball. A beginner's explanation of Olympic Volleyball Rules. Watch this short video tutorial guide on how to play Volley ball under Olympic and FIVB rules. Learn about bumps, spikes, sets, shots, libero, dig, set, rally, nets, and more. COMMENT, LIKE, RATE & SUBSCRIBE!!! Also discuss on Reddit!

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Famous volleyball players Karch Kiraly, Misty May Treanor, Kerri Walsh, Logan Tom, and more. Wearing his hot pink hat, Karch Kiraly was an easily recognizable figure during his days playing volleyball on the beach.

Karch Kiraly has the most professional career beach volleyball tournament victories (148).

Karch Kiraly is the only volleyball player to win three gold medals (1984, 1988, 1996).

Karch Kiraly is known as the sparkplug that inspired the 1984 and 1988 USA Men's Olympic Volleyball Teams by playing outstanding volleyball and encouraging his teammates to play their best.

Karch Kiraly Playing Beach Volleyball in his Famous Pink Hat
Logan Tom

Logan Tom is a phenomenal athlete and one of the most dynamic volleyball players in the world. Logan Tom's impressive talent has made her one of the most famous volleyball players in the world today.
Logan Tom Playing Volleyball on the National Team
At 6 feet 1 inch tall, Logan Tom plays volleyball with strength, power, and grace.

Logan Tom was a four-time first-team All-American at Stanford.

Logan Tom was a two-time NCAA National Player of the Year.

Tom was MVP of the NCAA Final Four in 2001.

In the Sydney 2000 Olympics, at 19, Logan Tom was the youngest player on the National Team, yet she started for the team and placed fourth.

Logan Tom is an international superstar that has played professionally in Brazil, Italy and Switzerland.

Misty May-Treanor

Misty May-Treanor is arguably the best all-around skilled women's beach volleyball player ever to play the sport.
Misty May Treanor the Current All-Time Wins Leader
Misty May was voted the AVP Most Valuable Player in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Misty May is currently the winningest Female Beach Volleyball Player of all time.

Misty May holds the world record for most consecutive beach tournament victories (15).

Misty May holds the world record for consecutive match victories (90).

Misty May Treanor is one of only three players to be named a two-time AVCA National Player of the Year.

Kerri Walsh-Jennings

Kerri Walsh currently partners with Misty May Treanor as the best women's beach volleyball team in the world and likely the two most famous volleyball players.

Kerri and Misty had an astonishing win streak of 38 matches in their first year on the AVP Tour.

Most wins in Women's Beach Volleyball history with 113 wins
Kerri and Misty had an unbelievable 89 match win streak on the AVP Tour and the international circuit between 2003 and 2004.

Kerri Walsh is a two-time AVP MVP (2003, 2004).

Kerri Walsh has lead the AVP in both blocks and hitting percentage the last two AVP seasons.

Steve Timmons

In the 80's, Steve Timmons wore a wild red flat top that made him the most identifiable indoor volleyball player in the world.
Steve Timmons was famous for his flat top 80's hair style

Considered a pioneer of back row hitting, Steve Timmons combined with his outstanding front row attacking skills made him an unstoppable force.

In 1984, Steve Timmons was named MVP of the Olympics by the FIVB after leading USA to a Gold medal.

Paula Weishoff

Paula Weishoff is one of only 4 USA women's volleyball players to compete in 3 different Olympics.
Paula Weishoff, one of the best attackers in USA National Team history
Throughout her career, Paula Weishoff was a dominating blocker and server.

Paula is the only American volleyball player to have played in Olympic Games 12 years apart (silver in 84, bronze in 92).

Paula Weishoff won an Outstanding Player award for her performance at the 1992 Olympics.

Ron Von Hagen

Ron Von Hagen is considered the Babe Ruth of beach volleyball.
Legend Beach Volleyball Player Ron Von Hagen
Ron Von Hagen established standards and set records at a time when beach volleyball was just beginning.

Ron Von Hagen played in 54 tournaments from 1966 to 1972 never finishing lower than third place.

Flo Hyman

Flo Hyman was one of the greatest and most famous volleyball players of her generation.
Flo Hyman the incredible USA National Team Player
She was named All World and selected as the Most Valuable Player in countless international tournaments, as well as being named to numerous All-Star Teams.

In 1985 she was named one of the All-Time Great Volleyball Players.

Flo Hyman was voted Best Attacker at the Pan-Am Games in 1975, 1979, and 1983, the NORCECA Championships in 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1983, and the World University Games in 1973 and 1977.

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Volleyball › Famous Volleyball Players

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Famous Volleyball Players Popular Beach Volleyball Players and Indoor Greats

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Famous volleyball players Karch Kiraly, Misty May Treanor, Kerri Walsh, Logan Tom, and more. Wearing his hot pink hat, Karch Kiraly was an easily recognizable figure during his days playing volleyball on the beach. Karch Kiraly has the most professional career beach volleyball tournament victories (148).