abass@northstarreporter.com
A volleyball exhibition held on Saturday, June 11, featured local and state teams and showcased the origins of the “9-man” version.
Organized by David Chee—a volleyball referee and former player—the event was held at North Attleborough High School. It opened with the girls teams playing against three Boston women’s volleyball teams. Men’s teams also took the court and to play in the 9-man format.
First created in the 1930s by Chinese laundry workers as a means of socializing, the 9-man form of volleyball grew in popularity. These players had limited opportunities in other organizations due to discrimination, said Chee, and sometimes played in the street or parking lots.