If you're gonna play the game, you ought to know how it all began...

Or at least have a general idea...for the picture version click here.

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 which 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.

1896 - July 7th, the first game of "volleyball" was played at Springfield College.

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.

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). Volleyball Publications (A precursor of Volleyball One®) is established by Val Keller in Huntington Beach, CA.

1978 - Volleyball Emporium (A precursor of Volleyball One®) is founded in Torrance CA. by Greg Saunders.

1981 - Volleyball Publications and Volleyball Emporium merge to create Volleyball One®. First VB1 catalog is mailed nationally.

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 repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.

1989 - The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.

1990 - The World League was created.

1992 - The Four Person Pro Beach League was started in the United States.

1994 - Volleyball One® Player catalog was born.

1995 - The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old!

1996 - Two-person beach volleyball was added to the Olympics. Volleyball One Sales Company celebrates 15th Anniversary.

2002 - Greely starts as a club team and loses to Woodland in the State Championship Game.

2003 - Greely Goes undefeated and wins it's first State Championship, avenging it's previous loss to Woodland.

2004 - Greely goes undefeated for it's second straight year, and wins it's 2nd consecutive State Championship, defeating Mt. Desert Island.

2005 - Greely continues it's undefeated streak, and goes on to win it's 3rd consecutive State Championship, defeating Mt. Desert Isle once again.

2006 - Can Greely ever be stopped? They continue their undefeated streak, surpassing the previous record held by Woodland. Greely goes on to win it's 4th consecutive State Championship.

2007 - Greely loses it's first match in over 4 years to Gorham, but not before extending their amazing streak to 66 consecutive match victories without a loss. Greely avenges it's only loss of the season against Gorham and goes on to win their 5th consecutive State Championship.

2008 - Coach Hasch and Coach Churchill reach the 100 win milestone, defeating up and coming rival Falmouth, 3 games to 0. At the 100 win mark, Coach Hasch and Churchill have compiled a record of 100 wins with only 3 defeats.