All sports have their highlights, their moments of magic, their memories which last a lifetime. Volleyball is, of course, no different. But often, some of the best of a sport is captured in what its icons say about it, and the advice they give to us on how to be as successful as they have been. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most famous volleyball quotes around. Take a look and see if you can find a favourite!
Inspirational Quotes For Volleyball
When it comes to inspirational volleyball quotes, there is nobody more quotable – or more often quoted – than American legend Karch Kiraly. One of the most decorated players in the history of the game, Kiraly has gone on to become a successful coach, instilling his winning mentality in the players who train under him. No list of inspirational quotes would be complete without reference to Kiraly – so much so, in fact, that we’ve decided to dedicate this entire section to him.
So, without further ado, here are our Top 5 Karch Kiraly quotes:
“We are all going to fall short. We are going to have some bitter losses, very painful defeats and failures. We have to use those to come back even stronger. That’s what makes it sweeter, when we can overcome those and figure out a way to win. The great teams can do that, and those are the gold medal winning teams.”
“There’s nothing worse than the feeling of wishing you had another chance at a play because you weren’t ready. Every athlete has those feelings to mull over, and over and over … Don’t even expose yourself to the possibility to being caught off-guard.”
“Over the years, I realized that if I’d done everything possible to prepare myself for matches and tournaments, it took a weight off my shoulders and allowed me to play without fear of losing. When you’ve done everything you can to train yourself for competition, you’ll sleep well when the tournament is over, win or lose.”
“My general rule, which I have followed throughout my coaching career, is that everyone doesn’t necessarily get treated the same way, because I’m not sure that’s possible. But everyone has to be treated fairly.”
“In other endeavours, you cannot succeed without believing in yourself, and that belief is completely under your control.”
Motivational Quotes on Volleyball
Of course, with any sport, motivation, drive, and the will to succeed are all key. No sportsperson ever got to the top of their game without some serious motivation and dedication. Here’s what some of the game’s greats have said about success and motivation.
“You’re either getting better or getting worse. I don’t think you stay the same in sports. If we want to achieve something special in the game, then those players have to recognize that they’re responsible every day for getting better.”
Russ Rose, NCAA Coach
“Good players rarely look like the game is stressful for them, and they never seem rushed because they adjust their position all the time based on what’s happening. They’re always compensating for the movement of their teammates and the movement on the other side of the court, whether it’s blocking or back court.”
Doug Beal, Team USA Coach & CEO
“I never went to a prom or to movies like other high school girls did. My entire life was volleyball. I’d play six days a week, with Monday the only day I’d take off.”
Debbie Green-Vargas, Olympic Silver with Team USA
“The will to win is more important than the skill to win. It is possible to achieve only what you actively pursue. Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. Keep your head high and work hard every day, because you’ll never get that day back.”
Lloy Ball, Olympic Gold with Team USA
“I do not think about coaching as being the boss. Rather, I am here to see how all the parts fit together. I am in the middle of this storm, and that is where the calm is supposed to be.”
Mark Pavlik, NCAA Coach
“A lot of people told me I would never be a good volleyball player or high jumper because I never specialized. But I always knew that I could, believed I could, so I didn’t listen to what they said. I just followed my heart and did it.”
Tayyiba Haneef-Park, Olympic Silver with Team USA
If you don’t succeed it doesn’t mean you are a failure. If you do succeed it doesn’t mean that you are king of the world.”
David Beard, Team Australia
“I’m not the most physical person, not the tallest, not the skinniest. You can’t listen to anybody. Just know your dreams. Know how hard you can work. Work hard, have fun doing it, and you can really make it places that you really never thought you would. Dedication, passion and heart gets you where you want to be.”
Lindsey Berg, 2x Olympic Silver with Team USA
And three quotes from another American Olympic hero, Lloy Ball:
“Everybody likes the guy who works hard. Nobody likes the guy who tells you how hard he works.”
“Being a volleyball player is what I was born to do. I loved every day of it. I loved every practice, every weight training, every video meeting, every match! I loved playing in front of people. I loved entertaining them. With all of that go along very high expectations! Some players do not like that. They don’t want the stress and pressure from the club to win. I loved it. I knew that it was NOT acceptable to lose.”
“The will to win is more important than the skill to win. It is possible to achieve only what you actively pursue. Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. Keep your head high and work hard every day, because you’ll never get that day back.”
Volleyball Quotes for Teams
Volleyball is very much a team sport and the most successful teams in history have stuck together through adversity, and have understood each other and worked as a unit. Here are three of the best volleyball quotes for teams. Perhaps you can use them as motivation within your own team?
We are all going to fall short. We are going to have some bitter losses, very painful defeats and failures. We have to use those to come back even stronger. That’s what makes it sweeter, when we can overcome those and figure out a way to win. The great teams can do that, and those are the gold medal winning teams.”
Karch Kiraly
“I have the philosophy that the team is going to win or lose the match. I tend to be more demanding in practice where the work gets done. During the matches, I like to help the team use what they have been trained to use.”
Mark Pavlik
“Volleyball is one of the most interactive games going. It is a game of intuition, imagination, improvisation – but most of all, of reciprocity – of teamwork. There is no way to free-lance volleyball.”
Marv Dunphy, NCAA Coach
Short Volleyball Quotes
Sometimes, succinct is best. You might not be able to remember and readily repeat some of the most inspirational volleyball quotes of all time, but some of them are one-liners, yet still truly memorable and meaningful in their own right.
“You have to be willing to fail, to improve.”
Al Scates, NCAA Coach
“Volleyball is not like a formula so we must give players some freedom.”
Karch Kiraly
Superior athletes want to be accountable for their own results.”
Marv Dunphy
“Adversity, if you allow it to, will fortify you and make you the best you can be.”
Kerri Walsh Jennings, 3x Olympic Gold
Quotes by Volleyball Position
Volleyball is a sport of specialisms, whether you’re a hitter, a setter or a libero. All the positions have different skillsets, and an appreciation of these skills is what makes a good team player, and a true volleyball fan.
Volleyball Quotes for Setters
“A good setter is like a waiter”
Julio Velasco, Argentinian Coach
“Be a leader. A setter should be high energy. It’s important that you learn how to give positive, constructive criticism. It’s crucial that you make your teammates feel comfortable. You should never be the most silent player in the gym.”
Lindsey Berg
“I wouldn’t be the best offensive player if I didn’t have a great setter. She serves me up nectar.”
Misty May Treanor, 3x Olympic Gold (talking about Kerri-Walsh Jennings)
Volleyball Quotes for Hitters
“Once you get the taste of ruining somebody’s great hit, it stays with you. And it changes the game. A great defensive play is worth about five points in emotion.” – Caren Kemner
“A great defensive play is worth about five points in emotion.”
Caren Kemner
Volleyball Quotes for Liberos
“Libero: the unspoken hero on the team.”
Anonymous
Funny Volleyball Quotes
And finally, no list would be complete without a few funny volleyball quotes to make you smile!
“Volleyball; it’s in your heart or it’s in your face”
Anoymous
Every volleyball player is a little bit psychopath, there are no normal people who would want to voluntarily dedicate their life to this sport.” –
Plamen Konstantinov, Bulgarian Coach
Volleyball is just a more intense version of ‘don’t let the balloon touch the floor’.
Anoymous
What’s your favourite volleyball quote? Have we missed any? Why share this article with your friends to get their favorite quotes!