Volleyball Curiosities

 

Origins of Volleyball: Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical education instructor in Massachusetts. He initially called it “mintonette,”

blending elements from tennis and badminton. The name was later changed to "volleyball" because players would volley the ball back and forth.

Olympic History: Volleyball was introduced as an Olympic sport in the 1964 Summer Games in Tokyo, initially as a men's event. Women's volleyball was added four years later at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Beach Volleyball: The sport of beach volleyball started on the beaches of California in the 1920s. It became a professional sport in the 1970s and was included in the Summer Olympics for the first time in 1996.

A Game of Numbers: A standard volleyball game has six players on each team, but in beach volleyball, there are only two players per team.

Longest Rally: The longest volleyball rally ever recorded lasted 36 minutes. It took place during a 2013 match in Japan between two university teams.

The Libero: The Libero, a special player designated for defensive duties, was introduced in 1998. The Libero can’t attack the ball above the net or serve, but they play a vital role in passing and receiving serves.