A timeline of events marking the short brief history of volleyball played by American male and female elite athletes in international competition.
Are you a volleyball fan that's curious to explore the rich American history of this popular sport?
Keep reading to discover the evolution of some of the most significant events and accomplishments for the USA men's and women's programs from the 50s until present day with ImproveYourVolley.com.
The Foundation of the USVBA - 1951
The United States Volleyball Association, at first called the USVBA and later the name became USA Volleyball was created to administer the sport in the United States on a national level and to be the governing body that coordinates with other international bodies.
Inception of International Competition - 1955
Buenos Aires is the site of the first Pan American Games where volleyball was included, and which marks the first time that American volleyball teams' participated in international competition.
Technological Advancements for the Sport - 1956
A sports division was established within NBC. As a result, volleyball came under American television networks' radar, paving the way for televised matches in the future.
The First Significant Victory - 1959
The USA Men's Volleyball team clinched their first Pan American Gold in Chicago, raising the profile of the game and inspiring the next generation of players.
The 50s..volleyball in the 50s seems like tons of years ago...it was before ..even i was born but it was the decade where USA volleyball started their true growth and the popularity of the game started to really grow.
With the investment in better coaching, hiring better more experienced coaches and the search for more athletic players the 1960s are of referred to as the revolutionary era for USA volleyball.
Stepping into the Olympic Arena - 1964
1964 was the first year that volleyball was recognized as an official sport at the Tokyo Olympics.
With the USA Volleyball men's and women's teams participating in this prestigious event it helped elevate the Americans status on an international level.
Check out the action and the commentary during the first Olympic gold medalists ..the Japanese Olympic team who beat the Russians in an exciting final match.
Abby Benton talks about volleyball in the 1964 Olympics.
The Olympic Debut for the USA Volleyball Men
The U.S. Men's Volleyball team participated in their first Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in 1964.
Although they didn't win a medal, the men's Olympic experience launched the stage for future international successes.
An Increasing Amount of International Recognition
The U.S. Men's Team achieved the fifth position in the World Championships held in Prague in 1966, asserting their growing presence in the international arena.
Want to know what high level men's elite volleyball looked like in 1966 at the World Championships in Czechoslavakia?
Click to find out these highlights of the men's finals in Prague.
A Fifth Place Finish in the American's First Olympic Participation
This Decade Marked The Beginning Of Remarkable Progress For USA Volleyball
By the end of the decade, the American Women's Volleyball team had improved significantly, finishing eighth at the 1967 Pan American Games held in Winnipeg, Canada, and then they followed up with a highly respectable seventh place finish at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.
The 1960s were transformative years for USA Volleyball, with a big push towards international exposure and recognition for both men's and women's teams.
Let's look into the dynamic 1970s - a crucial period for USA men's and women's volleyball that witnessed major events and significant victories for both programs.
For USA Men's Volleyball:
Growing A Pattern of Olympic Achievement:
The Men's Team continued to make strides in on the worldwide volleyball scene by participating in a semifinal medal match and finishing with a fourth-place finish at the Munich Olympics in 1972.
This accomplishment highlighted the growing competitive capacity of the American men's team on the international stage.
USA Volleyball Men Record An Historic Feat at the Pan American Games
Moving On Up! US Men Advance in World Rank
The decade ended on a high note, with the USA Men's team securing third place in the FIVB World Ranking in 1979, the first break through in the top three teams in the world and an unprecedented achievement.
For USA Women's Volleyball:
- The First USA Olympic Training Center:
In 1973, a USA Volleyball Training Center for Women's Volleyball was established in Pasadena, Texas. This was the first American national center illustrating a firm commitment and dedication towards elevating the skills and performance of the USA Women's Team in order to meet elite level international competition goals and expectations.
By mid-decade, the USA women's volleyball team made visible progress, earning a 7th rank in the 1974 World Championships held in Tijuana, Mexico.
In 1976, the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) introduced the first Beach Volleyball World Championship.
This event served as a launchpad for beach volleyball's eventual Olympic recognition and soared in popularity.
The 1970s were truly transformational years for USA Volleyball.
Thoughts from me about the CBVA:
Once I discovered my love and passion for beach volleyball I began to participate in my first CBVA tournaments.
I had a lot of friends that I'd train and practice with 2-3 times a week at Toes Beach or all the time at State Beach (if you know you know) and we'd compete against each other at various tournament sites all along the coast of California trying to earn points by finishing higher and higher each weekend.
The 1980s were a powerhouse era for USA volleyball showcasing historical triumphs, especially for the men’s team.
Let's look into the major accomplishments during this decade.
The Men's Olympic Gold Rush:
1988 USA Men's Volleyball Olympians and gold medalists Jeff Stork, Doug Partie, and Dave Saunders interviewed by CBS 8 San Diego
USA Men Become FIVB World Champions
The men’s team achieved the title at the 1986 FIVB World Championships. This was a testament to the powerful presence of U.S. Men's volleyball in the world arena.
The Younger Generation Continues Success in the Pan American Games
The team hit another high note by grabbing gold at the 1987 Pan American Games.
The Best Finish in History An Olympic Silver:
This was so much fun to be in the city and working at the basketball and going to the track and field venues when I was in my teens during the 1984 Olympics.
The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was a historic event for the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team.
Playing in front of record crowds on home soil and super motivated following the 1980s boycott where the Americans after four years of preparation stayed home and did not compete in the Moscow Olympics.
The American women reached the finals playing in an amazing Olympic gold medal match against the Chinese women led by the future Olympic head coach the first Lady of Chinese volleyball who snatched the gold medal from the Americans who finished with an Olympic silver medal, the highest win for an American women's Olympic team.
A Stellar Performance at the World Championships
Even though the Americans didn't finish high enough to secure a medal, the Women’s team put up a strong fight in the 1982 FIVB World Championship by clinching the 5th place position with some .
Building A Legacy With Continued Outstanding Progress in Pan American Games
The USA Women's team ended the decade on a high note by earning a silver medal at the 1987 Pan American Games.
Thoughts from Coach April...
Living in Inglewood, California at the time, I was working as a volunteer at the Forum (Prairie Avenue and Manchester) at the women's basketball venue.
It was amazing to be court side to watch Olympic basketball coach Pat Head Summit coach the women's team, or go to the track at the Coliseum to watch Carl Lewis and the 4 x 100 relay team run.
It was a life changing experience to watch on TV as the American women's Olympic volleyball team led by Flo Hyman got their first medal, silver, in an epic battle against China, led by future Olympic American and Chinese coach Lang Ping.
The 1980s were a golden era in American Volleyball, particularly showcasing the growing international domination of both the men’s and women’s teams.
With Olympic victories and innovation in tactics, the sport enjoyed a growing popularity and prestige.
Thoughts from Coach April...
I tried out for the US National team in 1985, the February after the Los Angeles Olympics. I made the team despite having tweaked my ankle during the third day of tryouts.
I trained with these girls for a short while, was a member of the 1985 World University Games in Kobe, Japan and then played with and against them and other international and Olympic stars as a professional player in Italy for a number of years.
The Men Earn Olympic Bronze Medal
Following their golden run in the 80s, the USA Men's Volleyball team proved themselves once again by securing a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
FIVB World League Participation
An Historic Olympic Bronze in 92
The Barcelona Olympics in 1992 saw the U.S. Women's Volleyball team win their first Olympic medal - a bronze. It marked a milestone moment in American Women's volleyball.
A First World Grand Prix Victory
A Huge Achievement in FIVB World Cup
The Women's team consistently showed remarkable participation in the FIVB World Cup securing 4th rank in 1995 and 3rd rank in 1999.
The Rise of Beach Volleyball
The Beginning of Olympic Recognition
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics marked the inaugural inclusion of beach volleyball as an official sport. This further elevated the popularity of American volleyball by showcasing an exciting, accessible version of the sport.
The 1990s were a defining era for American Volleyball, highlighting the rise of Women’s Volleyball on the international stage and the growth of Beach Volleyball worldwide.
The 2000s stood as a vibrant chapter in American volleyball history, with both the men’s and women’s teams continuing their successful runs.
A Memorable Olympic Gold
The US Men's team returned to the Olympic spotlight by earning the gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a triumphant moment after a 20-year medal hiatus.
Continued Success in FIVB World League
The USA men's team showed consistent good form in the FIVB World League, clinching the championship in 2008, proving America’s consistent prominence on the international stage.
A Historic Silver Medal at the Olympics
The USA women's team had a phenomenal run with back-to-back silver medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the London 2012 Olympics.
Triumphant Run in FIVB World Grand Prix
In the peak of the 2000s, the U.S. Women’s team won the FIVB World Grand Prix three times (2001, 2010 and 2011), proving them to be a formidable force on the international level in the sport.
Consistent International Performances
Along with these victories, the US women's team also secured two podium finishes, taking home the bronze at the 2003 and 2007 FIVB World Cup.
The Beach Volleyball Era:
Olympic Dominance in Beach Volleyball
The 2000s saw American dominance of beach volleyball at the Olympics.
The US teams earned gold medals twice in men’s events, starting in Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008, and a historic three Olympic gold finishes in the women's event with Misty May Treanor partnered with Kerri Walsh Jennings at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012 editions.
The 2000s proved to be another prosperous era for USA Volleyball, featuring lots of triumphant moments and unforgettable performances in both Indoor and Beach Volleyball.
FIVB World League Victories
The men's team showed exceptional form by winning the FIVB World League in 2014 and followed it up with a bronze medal in 2015, reinforcing the team's impressive game.
NORCECA Gold
The team successfully achieved gold at the 2015 NORCECA Championship, a tournament designed for North, Central America and Caribbean volleyball teams.
Olympic Achievement
FIVB World Grand Prix Success
The U.S Women’s Volleyball team started off the era with a bang, winning the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2015, their 6th Grand Prix title.
Winning The First FIVB World Championship
In a historic moment, the USA women won their first-ever FIVB World Championship in 2014 and followed that with a bronze medal in 2015.
Olympic Achievements
Carrying forward their Olympic legacy, the Women's team won a bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
VNL Triumphs
In more recent times, the women's team won the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) twice, in 2018 and 2019.
In a nutshell, the period from 2015 to the present has been full of incredibly amazing achievements in USA volleyball.
2020 the year of Covid and the year the American women win gold!
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