Footer Producing Powerful Peaceful Passionate Players

A History of Volleyball Timeline for American Women in the Olympics

Explore this comprehensive summary of events marking the impressive achievements in the history of volleyball timeline for American females playing in the Olympics 

The history of volleyball timeline in the Olympics for women, especially American players has occurred in a very short time, only spanning over the last 50 years.Kerri Walsh and Misty MayThe history of volleyball timeline in the Olympics for women, especially American players has occurred in a very short time, only spanning over the last 50 years.Kerri Walsh and Misty May

 

The history of volleyball in the Olympics for women, especially American players has occurred in a very short time, only spanning over the last 50 years.

Many of the participants in the first Olympics are still playing volleyball today.




Watch the reaction from members of the 2024 USA Womens Olympic Volleyball team on media day when they're presented a gift from a prominent sponsor. 


Welcome to my historical guide on volleyball history in the Olympic Games.

In this section let's explore the volleyball timeline that marks the remarkable achievements of American women in Olympic volleyball.

Below, find the timeline of events and the Olympic rosters of female volleyball players who represented the United States in each competition below.



History of Volleyball 1960s



The USA Women's Volleyball Team consists of incredibly inspirational and successful athletes.

From small beginnings to huge victories, this team has lived through an exciting journey at various Olympic Games, leaving unparalleled legacies.

In this article, we will highlight and celebrate some of the key moments from their journey, from groundbreaking achievements to noteworthy matches.


A History of Volleyball Timeline
1964: Tokyo Olympics - 5th place


1964: Tokyo Olympics - 5th place

Only six teams competed in the female division of the first Olympic games.

The Japanese women were the first winners in the history of volleyball defeating the Soviet Union in the finals. 

USA Olympic Team

  • Jean Gaertner
  • Lou Galloway
  • Barbara Harweth
  • Patti Lucas-Bright
  • Linda Murphy
  • Gail O'Rourke
  • Nancy Owen
  • Mary Jo Peppler
  • Mary Margaret Perry
  • Sharon Peterson
  • Verneda Thomas
  • Jane Ward

Head Coach: Doc Burroughs


A History of Volleyball Timeline
1968: Mexico City Olympics - 8th place


1968 — Mexico City Olympics - 8th place

USA Olympic Team

  • Patti Lucas-Bright
  • Ann Heck
  • Fanny Hoppeau
  • Ninja Jorgenson
  • Laurie Lewis
  • Miki McFadden
  • Marilyn McReavy
  • Nancy Owen
  • Barbara Perry
  • Mary Margaret Perry
  • Sharon Peterson 
  • Jane Ward (captain).

Head Coach: Harlan Cohen


A History of Volleyball: 1970s


1972 — Munich Olympics

No USA Olympic Team participated in these Games because the American women did not qualify for the 1972 games. 


1976 — Montreal Olympics

No USA Olympic Team. For eight years, in the 70s the American women did not qualify to play in an Olympic games.  DNQ - did not qualify.


History of Volleyball: 1980s


A History of Volleyball Timeline
1980: Moscow Olympics




1980 — Moscow Olympics

Although the Americans had one of the strongest teams in the world at that time and were favored to compete with the USSR for the gold, US American President Jimmy Carter decided it was best for all the American teams to boycott the Moscow Olympics.  


A History of Volleyball Timeline: 
1980 Olympics - DNP




USA Olympic Team - did not participate due to boycott

  • Janet Baier
  • Carolyn Becker
  • Rita Crockett
  • Patty Dowdell
  • Laurie Flachmeier
  • Debbie Green
  • Flo Hyman
  • Laurel Brassey
  • Debbie (Landreth) Brown
  • Diane McCormick
  • Terry Place 
  • Sue Woodstra

Head Coach: Arie Selinger 


A History of Volleyball Timeline 1984
Los Angeles Olympics - Silver Medal


1984 — Los Angeles Olympics

From 1972 to 1980 the American women did not compete in an Olympic games. Finally in 1984, the American women competed on home soil in front of family and friends in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.


history-of-volleyball: Three time Olympian, 1984 Olympic Silver medalist and 1984 Olympic MVP, 1992 Bronze medalist Concordia Head Volleyball Coach, Paula WeishoffThree time Olympian, 1984 Olympic Silver medalist and 1984 Olympic MVP, 1992 Bronze medalist Concordia Head Volleyball Coach, Paula Weishoff


USA Olympic Team - Silver Medal

  • Paula Weishoff
  • Susan Woodstra
  • Rita Crockett
  • Laurie Flachmeier
  • Carolyn Becker
  • Flo Hyman
  • Rose Magers
  • Julie Vollertsen
  • Debbie Green
  •  Kimberly Ruddins
  • Jeanne Beauprey
  • Linda Chisholm

Head Coach: Arie Selinger

Time Magazine 1984 Olympic cover

Fun fact....

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. 

I was honored and humbled to reach my goal of being named to the USA National team in 1985. 


A History of Volleyball Timeline 
1988: Seoul Olympics - 7th place 


1988 — Seoul Olympics

The Americans sank in the World rankings with the new young team and new coach Terry Lyskevich finishing in 7th at the Olympics in Seoul Korea.


USA Olympic Team - 7th place 

  • Deitre Collins
  • Caren Kemner 
  • Laurel Kessel
  •  Liz Masakayan 
  • Jayne McHugh 
  • Melissa McLinden
  • Kim Oden
  • Prikeba Phipps
  • Angela Rock
  • Kimberly Ruddins
  • Liane Sato
  • Tammy Webb

Head Coach: Terry Liskevych


Fun fact...

I tried out for 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.  


A History of Volleyball Timeline: 1990s



A History of Volleyball Timeline 1992
Barcelona Olympics - Bronze Medal


1992 — Barcelona Olympics

The Americans returned to their winning ways and to the podium, after being joined by 1984 Olympic MVP Paula Weishoff who had been playing in Italy against many of the international players who participated in the Olympics. 

The Americans finished in third place. 

Two Oden sisters were on the team, older sister, team captain Kim Oden and middle sister Elaina, both starting middle blockers on the American team. 


USA Olympic Volleyball Team - Bronze Medal

Head Coach: Terry Liskevych


A History of Volleyball Timeline


1996 — Atlanta Olympics

Playing on home turf this time in the southern part of the United States in Atlanta Georgia the American women finished out of medal contention.

Two Oden sisters were on the team, middle sister Elaina and younger sister Beverly, both starting middle blockers on the American team. 


USA Olympic Team - 7th place

  • Tara Cross-Battle 
  • Lori Endicott 
  • Caren Kemner 
  • Kristin Klein 
  • Beverly Oden
  • Elaina Oden 
  • Danielle Scott 
  • Tammy Webb 
  • Paula Weishoff 
  • Tonya Williams 
  • Elaine Youngs
  • Yoko Zetterlund

Head Coach: Terry Liskevych

 

USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

The Atlanta Olympics marked the first time beach volleyball was played in an Olympic games. The Americans, favorites to win the gold, finished in 5th and 7th place, also out of medal contention. 

Barbra Fontana, Linda Hanley  - 5th

Nancy Reno, Holly McPeak - 7th


History of Volleyball: 2000s




A History of Volleyball Timeline
2000 USA Olympic Team - 4th Place


2000 — Sydney Olympics

USC coach Mick Haley took the rein as the new American Olympic coach during the first games of the new millennium leading the US to a fourth place ending. 

USA Olympic Team - 4th place

  • Robyn Ah Mow
  • Heather Bown 
  • Tara Cross-Battle
  • Mickisha Hurley
  • Sarah Noriega
  • Demetria Sance
  • Danielle Scott
  • Stacy Sykora
  • Charlene Tagaloa
  • Logan Tom
  • Kerri Walsh
  • Allison Weston

Head Coach: Mick Haley

Explore this comprehensive summary of events marking the notable achievements in the history of volleyball timeline for American females playing in the Olympics (Logan Tom 2008 Olympics)Explore this comprehensive summary of events marking the notable achievements in the history of volleyball timeline for American females playing in the Olympics (Logan Tom 2008 Olympics)

USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

The American beach contingent marked the first appearance of Misty May in the Olympics who was teamed with Holly McPeak. 

The other participating team was the first all African American beach volleyball team of UCLA grads Annett Davis and her Jenny Johnson Jordan. Jenny is the daughter of US Olympic decathlete gold medalist, Rafer Johnson.  


  • Misty May, Holly McPeak - 6th
  • Annett Davis, Jenny Johnson Jordan - 7th



A History of Volleyball Timeline
2004: Athens Olympics - 5th place


2004 — Athens Olympics

A new coach, former assistant coach Toshi Yoshida and a markedly taller team, the American women continued to struggle to regain the dominance of the 1980s team.  

My friend and national team teammate Tara Cross Battle became the first American, male or female in the history of volleyball in the US, to participate in four Olympic games. This would be her last Olympic games. 


USA Olympic Volleyball Team - 5th place

Head Coach: Toshi Yoshida


USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

The Athens Olympics signaled the beginning of the dominance of the American women, Misty May Treanor, daughter of indoor Olympian Butch May,  now partnered with indoor Olympian and Stanford grad Kerri Walsh.  


  • Misty May, Kerri Walsh - 1st
  • Holly McPeak, Elaine Youngs - 3rd


A History of Volleyball Timeline


2008 — Beijing Olympics

In her native country, the first female coach in the history of volleyball for the Americans, Chinese Olympic gold medalist and international icon,Lang Ping led the US to their second Olympic silver medal during one of the most fantastic Olympic games ever to be presented. 


USA Olympic Volleyball Team - Silver Medal

Head Coach: Lang Ping

USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

Americans Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh continued their dominance in the sport of beach volleyball, continuing their winning streak through the entire process of winning a second gold medal, the finals which took lace in pouring rain against a touch Chinese team and home crowd. 


  • Misty May, Kerri Walsh - 1st
  • Nicole Branagh, Elaine Youngs - 5th



A History of Volleyball Timeline 
2012 - London Olympics -
Silver Medal


New Zealander, Hugh McCutcheon took over the reins of the women's team, transferring from the men's program where he led the men to a gold medal for the US in the Beijing Olympics (after an unfortunate incident where his father-in-law was killed in Beijing before the games began).  

McCutcheon led the Americans, predicted to win the gold, to the Olympic finals against an inspired Brazilian team, who beat the Americans in four sets.

USA Olympic Volleyball Team - Silver Medal

Head Coach: Hugh McCutcheon


USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

Kerri Walsh, mother of two boys, who later revealed she was pregnant with her daughter Scout during these third Olympic games continued her partnership with Misty May Treanor.  Together the American pair won an unprecedented third gold medal cementing their hold as the winningest beach volleyball team, male or female, in the history of volleyball on the beach.  

This is the first Olympic games for American April Ross who played with partner Jen Kessy.  


kerri walsh by louis crusoe

Misty and Kerri Make Volleyball History London Olympics in 2012




  • Misty May, Kerri Walsh - 1st
  • Jennifer Kessy, April Ross - 2nd


A History of Volleyball Timeline 2016 
Rio de Janeiro Olympics


2016 - Rio de Janeiro Olympics

The women's Volleyball team added another Bronze medal to their tally after beating the Netherlands in a thrilling match at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The Olympics in Brazil marked the first time Karch Kiraly made his appearance as an Olympic head coach having been one of  the assistant coaches to Hugh McCutcheon at the Beijing Olympics. 

Having led the American women to their first World Championships gold medal win prior to these Olympics, the Americans were ranked number one in the world prior to the start of the games.

Karch Kiraly, the first player in the history of volleyball to win gold medals in indoor and beach volleyball, led the American women to a bronze medal finish at Rio. 

Once again Lang Ping, the first female coach, now for the Chinese team, became the first person in the history of volleyball, male or female to win a gold medal as a player (1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and 2016 Olympics in Rio.)


2016 Olympic Gold Medalists Serbia vs China





The women's Volleyball team added another Bronze medal to their tally after beating the Netherlands in a thrilling match at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.




A History of Volleyball Timeline
USA Olympic Volleyball Team - Bronze Medal


USA Olympic Volleyball Team - Bronze Medal

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly


Karch Kiraly coaching the United States women's national volleyball team at the Rio 2016 Olympics. (Karch Kiraly by Krzysio.szubzda.1)Karch Kiraly coaching the United States women's national volleyball team at the Rio 2016 Olympics. (Karch Kiraly by Krzysio.szubzda.1)


USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

Kerri Walsh, with her new partner, silver medalist in the last Olympic games American April Ross, attempted to win an unprecedented fourth gold medal in Rio.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry poses for a photo with U.S. Olympic women's beach volleyball players Kerri Walsh and April Ross, and their coach Marcio Sicoli, on the Copacobana beach in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, on August 6, 2016, as he and his fellow members of the U.S. Presidential Delegation attend the Summer Olympics. [State Department Photo/ Public Domain] <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Secretary_Kerry_Poses_for_A_Photo_with_U.S._Olympic_Beach_Volleyball_Players_Kerri_Walsh_and_April_Ross_(28750029891).jpg">U.S. Department of State from United States</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry poses for a photo with U.S. Olympic women's beach volleyball players Kerri Walsh and April Ross, and their coach Marcio Sicoli, on the Copacobana beach in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, on August 6, 2016, as he and his fellow members of the U.S. Presidential Delegation attend the Summer Olympics. [State Department Photo/ Public Domain]


  • April Ross, Kerri Walsh - 3rd 
  • Lauren Fendrick, Brooke Sweat - 17th


2020 Tokyo, Japan:
A Historic Gold Medal Victory



The USA Women's Volleyball team made history by defeating Brazil in the final and bringing home their first Gold medal in the history of the Olympic Games.

Through their consistent performances at the Olympics, the USA Women's Volleyball Team has firmly entrenched themselves as one of the most elite squads in the sport. Each of these highlights has a compelling story of determination, resilience, and sportsmanship behind it.

We celebrate these remarkable female athletes and their valuable contributions to the sport of volleyball through this timeline representation of their endeavors at the Olympics.


A History of Volleyball Timeline 2024 
Paris Olympics
The American Women Earn A Silver Medal
Five Medals in the 5 Past Olympics 

History of Volleyball Timeline: Where Do You Go From Here?


Where do you need to go now? 

Here are three options: 

  1. Learn more about the brief history of volleyball
  2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
  3. Or visit the pages in the American Women in the Olympics History section in the drop down menu at the top of the page. 




Learn more about volleyball history on these pages!

Footer Producing Powerful Peaceful Passionate Players

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Show / Hide

What Are You Looking For?


Follow on LinkedIn



 

Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.

Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you can learn more each week!

Stay strong! Stay motivated!

-Coach April

SUSCRIBE

to my email newsletter below!



Get Christmas volleyball shopping for your favorite beach/indoor player done early this year!
Click to Shop!


happiness is a mood

volleyballmomjusthereforthevolleyball2of4

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Learn 3 Important Steps To Improve Your Volleyball Bump Pass Skills

    Dec 18, 24 02:12 PM

    passingoutsideofmidlinereadytopasssergio
    Players use these three steps to improve volleyball bump pass ability to get the ball to a player holding their wrists together forming a forearm platform.

    Read More

  2. What's The Correct Volleyball Ready Position for Passing in Volleyball

    Dec 18, 24 12:28 PM

    mason passing ready position
    Learn the volleyball ready position for passing where clasped thumbs are pointed to the ground to form a platform with forearms to pass balls in a rally.

    Read More

  3. Volleyball Passing Drills for Beginners For Players To Do At Home

    Dec 18, 24 01:32 AM

    high school volleyball libero arvesen passing 1
    Here are several volleyball passing drills for beginners to do at home with the focus being on beginner passers who need to pass the ball being served consistently

    Read More