Volleyball has a long and storied History. 
Mr. William .G. Morgan of Holyoke, YMCA physical education director from Mass., in the winter of 1895-96, developed a game in his gymnasium which he originally called Mintonette and later changed to Volley Ball. Based on combination of various sports including tennis, basketball and baseball this exciting new sport seemed to fill a place not filled by any other game. It was to be played indoors, and by those who wish a game not so rough as basket ball and yet one where the same degree of activity is demanded.
The report as given to the conference by Mr. Morgan is as follows:
“Volley Ball is a new game which is per-eminently fitted for the gymnasium or the exercise hall, but which may also be played out-of-doors. Any number of persons may play the game. The play consists of keeping a ball in motion over a high net, from one side to the other, thus partaking of the character of two games–tennis and hand ball.
Play is started by a player on one side serving the ball over the net into the opponents’ field or court. The opponents then, without allowing the ball to strike the floor, return it, and it is in this way kept going back and forth until one side fails to return it or it hits the floor. This counts a “score” for one side, or a “server out” for the other, depending on the side in point. The game consists of nine innings, each side serving a certain number of times, as per the rules, per inning.”
See – 1897 ASSOCIATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE HANDBOOK – VOLLEYBALL for more details!
“After some fine-tuning, the game of volleyball made it’s official debut eight months later at what would eventually become Springfield College. The game was accepted as a success, however, it was determined that the name should be changed. It was renamed volley ball, since that was the object of the game, to volley the ball back and forth. The name would eventually become one word in 1952. Today the FIVB estimates the volleyball is the most popular team sport in the world.
Morgan left the YMCA in 1900 to pursue various careers in business. He died on December 27,1942. In 1985 he became the inaugural member of the Volleyball Hall of Fame.” – Volleyball Hall Of Fame
Historical Timeline of the Development and Changes to the Sport
1895 – William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Mass., 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).
1900 – Ball is designed only for the sport by .
1916 – Volleyball Offense – In the Philippines attacking volleyball is created, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were introduced.
1917 – The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.
1920 – Three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.
1922 – The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11 states were represented.
1928 – 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.
1930 – The first two-man beach volleyball game was played.
1934 – The approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.
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.A
1947 – The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) was founded.
1948 – The first two-man beach tournament was held.
1949 – The first World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
1963 - Al Scates first year as head coach of UCLA.
1964 – Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
1965 – The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.
1974 – The World Championships in Mexico were telecast throughout Japan.
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).
1977 – The US National Men’s team begins a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio (moved to San Diego, CA in 1981).
1983 – The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.
1984 – The US won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold, and the Women the Silver.
1986 – The Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed
1987 – The FIVB added a Beach Volleyball World Championship Series.
1988 – The US Men repeat the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.
1989 – The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.
1990 – The World League was created.
1992 – USA Men and Women Olympic Teams win Bronze medals
1994 – Stein Metzger and Jeff Nygaard win NCAA championship at UCLA. Jeff named MVP of the NCAA.
1995 – The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old!
1996 – Two-person beach volleyball was added to the Olympics.
USA Men win Gold and Silver medals in Olympic Beach Volleyball
1996 – Volleyball1on1 coach Stein Metzger, NCAA winner and winner of the NCAA MVP award and William G. Morgan Award.
1997 – USA Men and Women’s Team move to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO for year round training
1998 – Rally Scoring for all sets, and Libero position created. FIVB goes over 200 nations in membership.
1998 – Volleyball1on1 instructors Andor Gyulai and Seth Burnham win NCAA Championship.
2000 – Eric Fonoimoana volleyball1on1 instructor wins gold at the Olympics for beach volleyball.
2004 – USA wins Olympic Beach Gold and Bronze in women’s competition, 4th for indoor men
USA Sitting Women’s Paralympic Team win Bronze medal
2007 – USA Women and Men win Beach World Championships
2008 – USA Men Win FIVB World League
USA Wins Olympic Gold in Men’s indoor, Women and Men’s beach and Silver in Women’s indoor
Paralympic Silver for Women’s Sitting Team
Volleyball1on1 Instructor Logan Tom named the Best Scorer of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2009 – USA Men Qualify for World League Finals
USA Women Win Beach World Championships, USA men Bronze medal
2009 – Volleyball1on1.com started by Andor Gyulai, the goal “The Ultimate Resources for Volleyball Players and Coaches” Providing Drills, Instructional Videos, and Practice Plans. For a Timeline of Volleyball1on1 History!
2012 – John Speraw and UCI win the 2012 Men’s Volleyball NCAA Championship in 3 over USC.
We are dedicated to adding more to our volleyball history page. Please let us know by commenting below what we should add in addition.
