Volleyball, originally called mintonette, has evolved from a humble beginning to a global sport. The popular game can be traced back to Massachusetts, USA, where it was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan. Morgan introduced volleyball as an alternative activity for those who found basketball too physically demanding. The concept of volleyball took inspiration from several sports combined into one: the ball from basketball, the net from tennis, and the use of hands from handball. In addition, innings, now known as sets, were borrowed from baseball in order to make the game more competitive. Morgan presented the game at the YMCA Physical Director’s Conference where it officially became a nationally recognized sport in 1896.
Today, volleyball is played by over 46 million people nationally and over 800 million people globally. Athletes in the United States can participate in volleyball club teams, recreational leagues, or play at the collegiate level. However, professional volleyball in the US has seen limited success. Numerous attempts have been made to start professional indoor women’s volleyball leagues. For instance, Major League Volleyball was a women’s volleyball league with six teams that played for two-and-a-half seasons from 1987 to 1989. Unfortunately, the league ended due to financial losses. The most recent attempt includes the institution of the Pro Volleyball Federation that was announced in 2022. The league currently consists of seven teams from around the country, including a local team out of Omaha, NE, the Omaha Supernovas. The league plans to add three new teams for the 2025 season. The Pro Volleyball Federation has received tremendous support from former athletes, singers, and of course, the fans. The future of professional volleyball in the United States is promising.
As a volleyball player, I was more than excited to hear of a professional volleyball league beginning in my home country. I recently had the opportunity to attend a professional volleyball game in Omaha, NE. I got to watch our hometown celebrity, Jess Schaben, play alongside other incredible athletes from around the world. I can’t wait to see the league continue to grow and inspire young athletes nationwide.
Have you attended a college/professional volleyball game? If not, would you like to?
Do you think the PVF will continue? Why or why not?
Do you think volleyball will gain more popularity because of this league? Why or why not?
Wikipedia - Volleyball in the United States
Replies
I agree. I think people will begin to gain more popularity as it grows, and eventually become as nationally recognized as the NFL, etc.
I have never attended a professional volleyball game but of course I would like to go some day. I think it that it would gain popularity with that league, I think that volleyball is an important sport and apart from that I think that it is know and should be more like football, basketball and soccer.
I agree, I hope that this new professional league will help boost the knowlege of the sport to bring it closer to the fanbase and popularity that other sports in the US have.
I have not attented a professional volleyball game, I only attend the ones at school. But it is very fun so I would attend a different one. Yes, the PVF will continue, because of how fast its growth is and because it helps the game overall.
I agree, I think the PVF will bring more fans and more purpose to watch the game of volleyball. In addition, I think we have more of the financial means to keep a new league like this alive than we did in previous attempts.
I have never watched a college game and don't know if I plan on it. I would like to in the future when I understand the game more. Yes, I do think that it will continue because it only helps the sport. Yes, I think it will because this will cause the sport to be advertised more and everyone will have their own hometown team.
I agree. The more the teams do well, add new teams to the league, and continue to be publicized the league will continue to grow.
I have never attended a college or professional volleyball game, and I don't think I would want to go and watch because I don't like watching volleyball enough. I don't think the league will change the popularity of the sport.
I have never attended a college or professional volleyball game but I would really like to. I think that the PVF will continue becuase of how fastly its growing. I have already noticed volleyball become more popular and talked about as Harlan people talk about the supernovas.
Yes, I think having a familiar player on a local team makes watching the sport that much more exciting!
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