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Volleyball · Interesting Facts

Chapter 10: Beach, Sitting & Other Forms

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 26 October 2026 · markdown

Beyond the indoor court: beach pioneers and the Manhattan Beach Open, Karolyn Kirby, snow volleyball, the 2012 uniform rule, standing volleyball, footvolley, sepak takraw, fistball and deaf volleyball.

10.101The Babe Ruth of the Beach

Ron Von Hagen: a late starter who ruled the early beach tour.

Test 1Ron Von HagenTake a test

  1. His first win came in 1964.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  2. The Hall calls him the Babe Ruth of modern beach volleyball.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  3. He was a senior when he began.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  4. A remarkable run of consistency on the sand.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  5. He had starred in four other sports at school.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  6. Marlowe later captained the US indoor team.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  7. He went in as a male beach player.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  8. 1961, 1964, 1966 and 1977.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  9. 62, 33, 7 and 4.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · recall

  10. It was the only win at the time by a player of 38 or older.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org) · applied

10.102The Manhattan Beach Open

The oldest major US beach tournament and the bronze plaques on its pier.

Test 1the Manhattan Beach OpenTake a test

  1. It started as an amateur event.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  2. It is the longest-running US beach tournament.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  3. He called it 'kind of our Wimbledon'.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  4. The plaques form a Volleyball Walk of Fame.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  5. Each plaque marks a Manhattan Beach Open title.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  6. She won her titles in the early decades of the Open.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  7. She shares the women's record.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  8. 1920, 1960 and 1984.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  9. One, seven and ten.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · recall

  10. It is a California state historic landmark.

    Source: City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016) · applied

10.103Karolyn Kirby

The most winning woman of the early beach tour and a record partnership.

Test 1Karolyn KirbyTake a test

  1. She was the dominant player of the women's tour.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  2. Their partnership began in 1993.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  3. She led the women's game in those years.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  4. Kirby was at the top of the women's game at the time.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  5. She was also MVP four times.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  6. She later starred in college at Utah State and Kentucky.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  7. She was an All-American three times.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  8. 1979, 1992, 1993 and 2004.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  9. 4, 6, 29 and 67.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · recall

  10. Beach volleyball joined the Olympic programme in Atlanta in 1996.

    Source: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org) · applied

10.104Snow Volleyball

From an Alpine ski slope to an evening at the Winter Olympics and a world tour.

Test 1snow volleyballTake a test

  1. It started in the ski resort of Wagrain.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  2. It was played by a mountain station at about 1,850 m.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  3. The station is called Flying Mozart.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  4. Snow Volleyball Night was held on 14 February 2018.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  5. More than 40 TV stations also came.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  6. It had two events, co-hosted with the CEV.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  7. One is in Austria, the other in Italy.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  8. 2008, 2018 and 2019.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  9. 9, 14 and 25 February 2018.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · recall

  10. They showed the game at PyeongChang hoping to join the Winter Games.

    Source: CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019) · applied

10.105The 2012 Uniform Rule

How the FIVB widened the choice of beach volleyball kit before the London Olympics.

Test 1the 2012 uniform ruleTake a test

  1. The Board approved it in March.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  2. Players could choose to cover up more.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  3. The qualifiers were held before London.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  4. It was approved after a Board meeting in Lausanne.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  5. The shorts could stop just above the knee.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  6. The FIVB tried the change before the Games.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  7. She did not want a uniform to stop anyone chasing a dream.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  8. March 2012, the qualifiers, then the Games that summer.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  9. All four were allowed from 2012.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · recall

  10. Some countries needed more choice, its spokesman said.

    Source: Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012) · applied

10.106Standing Volleyball

A Paralympic sport for a quarter of a century, and the vote that kept it out.

Test 1standing volleyballTake a test

  1. It became an official event in Arnhem in 1980.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  2. It was a demonstration sport in 1976.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  3. The IPC then dropped it from the programme.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  4. These were the last standing volleyball medals of the Paralympics.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  5. The sport's body had appealed against its removal.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  6. World ParaVolley's history names him.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  7. World ParaVolley's historian dates it to 1966.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  8. 1966, 1976, 1980 and 2000.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  9. 1976, 1980 and 2000.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · recall

  10. Australia finished last of the eight teams.

    Source: World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history · applied

10.107Footvolley

A Brazilian beach game, its beginnings and its first name.

Test 1footvolleyTake a test

  1. Rio's beaches have played it ever since.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  2. Famous footballers later took up the game.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  3. When the police came, they switched to the open volleyball courts.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  4. It is dated to 1965.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  5. Teams slowly shrank to the 2 v 2 game of today.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  6. Players may not use their hands.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  7. Footballers love the game for practising touch.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  8. From a beach ban to today's pairs.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  9. Five, three and two.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · recall

  10. The first name was soon dropped for 'futevôlei'.

    Source: European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei · applied

10.108Sepak Takraw

Two words from two languages, a game at an old royal court and a place at the Asian Games.

Test 1sepak takrawTake a test

  1. The game is played mostly with the feet.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  2. The name joins a Malay word and a Thai word.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  3. The net game grew out of it.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  4. The server is called the tekong.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  5. The other two players are the striker and the feeder.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  6. It has been an Asian Games sport ever since.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  7. The modern net game grew from those rules.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  8. The 15th century, 1960 and 1990.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  9. Like volleyball, a rally builds to an attack.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · recall

  10. It describes a 15th-century game at court.

    Source: Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games · applied

10.109Fistball

A cousin of volleyball from German-speaking lands, its world body and its first world championship.

Test 1fistballTake a test

  1. Germany and Austria were among its founders.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  2. West Germany won the title.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  3. The host country was Austria.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  4. The world championships followed three years later.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  5. It is split in two halves by the line.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  6. Two teams of five play on a field split in two.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  7. German immigrants took the game to southern Brazil.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  8. 1960, 1965 and 1968.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  9. The women's fistball line is the lowest, the volleyball net the highest.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · recall

  10. The women's line is at 1.90 m.

    Source: International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 2025 · applied

10.110Deaf Volleyball

Volleyball at the Deaflympics, its history and how deaf players talk on court.

Test 1deaf volleyballTake a test

  1. The United States sent a team that year.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  2. Indoor volleyball had been on the programme since 1969.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  3. Everyone plays on the same footing.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  4. The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf dates from 1924.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  5. It runs national indoor and beach teams.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  6. They were the first international games for deaf athletes.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  7. Communication changes, the game does not.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  8. 1924, 1969, 1981 and 2005.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  9. 1976, 1996 and 2005.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · recall

  10. Body language matters a great deal too.

    Source: USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history · applied

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, the FIVB and Volleyball World, the CEV, the NCAA, the IOC, World ParaVolley, the federations', clubs' and leagues' own histories, Guinness World Records and named reputable media.

  • International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Ron Von Hagen (volleyhall.org)10
  • City of Manhattan Beach and AVP on the Manhattan Beach Open; SportsGrid (2026); NPR, 'Manhattan Beach, the spiritual home of American beach volleyball' (2016)10
  • International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Karolyn Kirby (volleyhall.org)10
  • CEV and FIVB on snow volleyball: the 2008 beginnings in Wagrain, Snow Volleyball Night at PyeongChang 2018 and the first World Tour (2019)10
  • Play the Game, 'FIVB allows alternative to bikinis' (March 2012); NPR and AP reports on the FIVB Board decision (2012)10
  • World ParaVolley, 'A short history of standing volleyball'; IPC feature on volleyball at the Paralympics; Volleyball Canada para volleyball history10
  • European Footvolley League, 'History' (footvolleyeurope.com); Brazilian press histories of futevolei10
  • Singapore Roots (National Heritage Board), 'Sepak Takraw'; Olympic Council of Asia records of the 1990 Asian Games10
  • International Fistball Association (IFA) history and playing rules (ifa.sport); IFA World Championship regulations 202510
  • USA Deaf Sports Federation, volleyball and beach volleyball pages (usdeafsports.org); International Committee of Sports for the Deaf history10