1895 William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men's Christian Association
(YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts, decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen that 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. On July 7, 1896 at Springfield College the first game of "volleyball" was played.
1900 A specific ball was designed for the sport.
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) was introduced.
1917 The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.
1918 Six-a-side play became standard.
1920 The rules mandating three hits per side and back-row attacks were instituted.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
2000 USA win’s Olympic Beach Gold in Men’s competition, 4th for indoor women.
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.
2009 USA Men Qualify for World League Finals USA Women Win Beach World Championships, USA men Bronze medal.