17 Shocking Volleyball Facts and Statistics You Need to Know

Volleyball is a lot more than just a fun and immensely popular sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It also has an amazing origin story and wild collection of facts considering that it is still a relatively new sport. After learning more about some of the incredible facts and statistics about the sport of volleyball, you’ll come to understand more about why this is both one of the fastest growing and most International sports.

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world and it is easy to see why: The game has a relatively simple set of rules that make it easy to play and understand. It is a sport that can be played by people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. The popularity of beach volleyball has helped to increase the overall popularity of the sport. Finally, the rise of social media and online streaming services has made it easier than ever for people to watch and follow the sport.

The game of volleyball took off in the 1960s when it became an official sport at the Olympic Games. Beach volleyball began to gain popularity in the 1970s, and by the 1990s it had become one of the most popular sports in the world.

The Most Fascinating Volleyball Facts and Statistics

Volleyball was Invented in 1895 and Originally Called “Mintonette”
The Earliest Volleyballs were Made from the Inside Bladder of a Basketball
Beach Volleyball Dates Back to the 1920s and Started in California
The First Beach Volleyball Games Played in Europe were Played by Nudists
Volleyball is one of the Fastest-Growing Sports for U.S. High School Athletes
Girls Outnumber Boys by Over 8-to-1 in U.S. High School Participation in Volleyball
The Average Salary for a U.S. Volleyball Coach is $43,213
There are Over 65,600 Volleyball Coaches Working in the United States
Volleyball Players Jump Almost 500 Times per Set
The Tallest Professional Volleyball Player is Thai Wuttichai Suksara at 7’3″ (224 cm)
The Shortest Professional Male Volleyball Player is Farhad Zarif at 5′ 5″ (165 cm)
The Longest Volleyball Game in History was Over 85 Hours Long
G.O.A.T. Karch Kiraly Holds the Records for the Oldest Player to Win an AVP Tour Title and the Oldest Double Team to Win an AVP Tournament
You Can Hit a Volleyball with Any Part of your Body (Not Just your Hands)
The Most Expensive Volleyball is Made by Louis Vuitton and Costs over $2600!

Volleyball History and Facts

Volleyball was Invented in 1895 and Originally Called “Mintonette”

(Olympics.com)

The sport of volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan, and the first official game was played in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1895. Morgan invented the game as an alternative to basketball, which some participants thought was too strenuous. The game rapidly became popular as a pastime activity, and soon leagues and tournaments were being organized. In 1896, the first set of rules for the game was published by the YMCA, and by 1900, the game had spread to Europe.

In 1916, the Volleyball Federation was founded in Holland, and the first European Championships were held in 1924. The sport continued to grow in popularity, and by 1930 there were already 46 countries affiliated with the Federation. In 1947, the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) was founded, and the first World Championships were held in 1949.

Today, volleyball is a widely played sport around the world, with over 800 million people thought to participate in some way. It is especially popular in Europe and South America but has a strong following in Asia and Africa as well. The sport is played at all levels, from recreational games on the beach to highly competitive professional matches. Volleyball is also an Olympic sport and has been part of the Summer Games since 1964.

The Earliest Volleyballs were Made from the Inside Bladder of a Basketball

(Olympics.com)

William G. Morgan was also the inventor of the first volleyball, which was created in 1900, replacing the earlier basketballs in use for the sport. The first volleyballs were created by the Spalding company and were made of latex, cheesecloth, and a leather outer layer. Modern volleyballs are quite similar to these early ones.

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Beach Volleyball Dates Back to the 1920s and Started in California

(Beach Major Series)

Beach volleyball is a sport that has its roots in Eastern Europe and the United States. The game was first played on the beaches of California in the early 1920s. It gained popularity in the United States throughout the 1920s and 1930s and became an official Olympic sport in 1996.

The First Beach Volleyball Games Played in Europe were Played by Nudists

(Beach Major Series)

In 1927 the first European beach volleyball games were played by nudists from a camp in Franconville. From there, the game spread quickly in Europe, where beach volleyball games could be seen in Prague, Riga, and Sofia. Players in these games were clothed, however.

Volleyball Facts and Statistics in the U.S.

Volleyball is one of the Fastest-Growing Sports for U.S. High School Athletes

(Statista)

The number of participants in high school volleyball has grown by over 10% from 2010 to 2019, increasing from over 450,000 participants to over 500,000 in that time.

Girls Outnumber Boys by Over 8-to-1 in U.S. High School Participation in Volleyball

(Statista)

Girls volleyball participation trounces boys’ participation by over 8-to-1. In 2019, over 63,000 boys participated in high school volleyball, while over 450,000 girls participated in the sport in the same year.

The Average Salary for a U.S. Volleyball Coach is $43,213

(Zippia)

The average starting salary for volleyball coaches in the U.S. is $28,000, while the top 10% earn over $65,000. The area with the highest average salary for volleyball coaches is the Metropolitan Honolulu, HI area at an average of over $55,000.

There are Over 65,600 Volleyball Coaches Working in the United States

(Zippia)

There are about as many volleyball coaches as the entire population of Daytona Beach, FL.

Volleyball Health Benefits

Volleyball Players Jump Almost 500 Times per Set

(NIH.gov)

Volleyball is fantastic exercise! Volleyball players use their jumping ability to stay in the air and hit the ball. They also use their jumping ability to block shots and defend against attacks. When a player jumps, they are using their leg muscles to generate power. The quads, hamstrings, and glutes are all involved in the jumping motion. The more powerful a player’s leg muscles are, the higher they will be able to jump.

Players also need to have strong core muscles to generate power when jumping. The abs and back muscles help transfer power from the legs to the arms and provide stability while in the air. A strong core also helps players maintain balance and control while jumping.

Beach Volleyball Burns as Many Calories per Hour as Basketball

(Harvard Medical School)

According to a 2021 study published by Harvard Medical School, a 155-pound person can expect to burn 576 calories per hour playing beach volleyball or playing basketball.

Gym Activities	125-pound person	155-pound person	185-pound person
Volleyball: beach	240	288	336
Volleyball: competitive, gymnasium play	226	281	335
Volleyball: non-competitive, general play	90	108	126
Water Volleyball	90	108	126

Calories burned per half-hour of activity by weight

Volleyball Can Make You Happier

(Sage)

It turns out that engaging in sports can help us all to become happier. According to a study by Bruno S. Frey and Anthony Gallo, sports is can be a causative agent to happiness and not just an association (“Does Sports Make People Happier, or Do Happy People More Sports?”). Volleyball combines all of the benefits that sports confer — increased strength and mobility, cardiovascular fitness, better hand-eye coordination, and the mood-lifting effects of social interaction.

Volleyball Player Statistics and Facts

The Tallest Professional Volleyball Player is Thai Wuttichai Suksara at 7’3″ (224 cm)

(volleyball passion)

Wuttichai Suksara is a middle blocker who plays in the Thai league.

The Shortest Professional Male Volleyball Player is Farhad Zarif at 5′ 5″ (165 cm)

Farhad Zarif is an Iranian player who represented the Iranian national team at the libero position.

The Longest Volleyball Game in History was Over 85 Hours Long

(Guinness World Records)

The longest indoor volleyball game on record happened in Amstelveen, Netherlands from the 27th to the 30th of December 2011. The game totaled an amazing 63 matches.

G.O.A.T. Karch Kiraly Holds the Records for the Oldest Player to Win an AVP Tour Title and the Oldest Double Team to Win an AVP Tournament

(volleyball.com)

Karch Kiraly is considered the best volleyball player in history. He was born on November 3, 1960, in Jackson, California. After an All-American career at UCLA, Kiraly played on the U.S. men’s national team for more than two decades and won three Olympic gold medals.

Kiraly began playing volleyball at the age of eight. He quickly showed a talent for the game and began competing in tournaments. Kiraly attended UCLA, where he played on the men’s volleyball team from 1979 to 1982. He was a three-time All-American and helped the Bruins win the 1981 NCAA championship.

Kiraly also played on the U.S. men’s national team from 1981 to 1996. He won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, and he was a member of the 1992 Olympic team that won the bronze medal.

Kiraly retired from playing in 1996, but he continued to stay involved in the sport as a coach and commentator. He was the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team from 2001 to 2005. In 2016, he became the head coach of the U.S. women’s national team.

You Can Hit a Volleyball with Any Part of your Body (Not Just your Hands)

(USA Volleyball)

Volleyball rules allow you to use any part of your body, but using your hands gives you the most control. The forearm pass, or “bump,” is the most common way to get the ball over the net when you can’t set and spike it.

Volleyball Fun Facts

The Most Expensive Volleyball is Made by Louis Vuitton and Costs over $2600!

(Instagram)

The most expensive volleyball is made by Louis Vuitton and costs over $2600! This volleyball is made from leather, canvas, and cotton and comes with its own carry bag. If you are looking for a luxurious volleyball to show off your wealth, then this is the one for you. However, if you are looking for a volleyball to play with, then you may want to consider one of the less expensive options from Mikasa. :>

In Summary

Today, volleyball is played by millions of people of all ages and abilities all over the world. It is a popular sport at both the amateur and professional levels, and there are several different ways to play the game, including beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, water volleyball, and grass volleyball. Volleyball is also a popular spectator sport, and several different professional leagues and tournaments are televised around the world.

Volleyball is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. It is a relatively easy game to learn and play, and it can be played in a variety of different ways. Whether you’re playing on the beach, in the park, or in your backyard, volleyball is a great way to stay active and have fun.

FAQ

1. What is the history of volleyball?

The game of volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical education teacher at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan’s game, which he called “Mintonette,” was intended as an alternative to basketball and other outdoor games that were becoming too rough and physical. The first official game of volleyball was played in 1896, and the rules were codified by the YMCA in 1900.

2. How is volleyball played?

Volleyball is played on a court that is divided into two halves by a net. The game is played with six players on each side, and the object of the game is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the other team’s half of the court.

3. What are the different types of volleyball?

There are three main types of volleyball: beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, and grass volleyball. Beach volleyball is played on a sand court with two players on each side, while indoor volleyball is played on a hard court with six players on each side. Grass volleyball is played on a grass court with four players on each side.

4. Where is volleyball popular?

Volleyball is popular all over the world, and several professional leagues and tournaments are televised around the world. In the United States, volleyball is popular at the high school and collegiate levels, and there are also several professional leagues.

5. Who can play volleyball?

Volleyball can be played by people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. It is a relatively easy game to learn and play, and it can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels.

6. What are considered “good” volleyball stats?

There is no set answer to this question as different people may have different opinions on what constitutes a “good” volleyball stat. However, some examples of statistics that could be considered good might include things like average kill percentage, volleyball hit percentage, average dig per set, or service ace percentage. Ultimately, it depends on what the individual player or coach is looking for and what the team needs are to determine what they consider to be a good volleyball stat.