Southwell Complex

Volleyball Fun Facts


Game in progress
  • Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan at the Holyoke, Massachusettes YMCA. The first version called "mintonette" was created as a recreational activity for local businessmen to enjoy during their lunch hours. The first rules allowed for unlimited players per side and unlimited contacts.

  • The longest recorded volleyball marathon by two teams of six is 75 hours 30 minutes at Kingston, North Carolina in 1980.

  • Most volleyball players jump about 300 times a match.

  • On a global basis, Volleyball ranks second behind football in participation sports; there are over 800 million players worldwide.

  • In the early 1920s, Bulgaria became the first country in the world with a governing body of volleyball.

  • The first net was only 6'6"!

  • The first game of "volleyball" was played on July 7, 1896 at Springfield College.

  • The set and spike offense was invented in the Phillipines in 1916. A kill was called the 'bomba' The hitter was called the 'bomberino'. This same year the NCAA altered the rules of the game and initiated the sport into Colleges and other schools as a part of the standard physical education courses and intramural programs.

  • Three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted in 1920.

  • In 1928 the governing body of volleyball called the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA, now known as USA Volleyball) was organized and is still the main association for Volleyball today.

  • The Volleyball Hall of Fame is located in Holyoke, Mass.

  • The forearm pass did not become a part of the game until the 1940's.

  • Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1964. The US teams won their first medals in Volleyball in 1984. The men won gold, the women silver.