The International Volleyball Association was a short lived co-ed professional volleyball league in the United States from 1975 to 1980. Like other major sports leagues in the United States, it had two geographic divisions. However, its teams were entirely in the west. It is one of the few examples of a professional sports league where men and women competed on the same teams.
Contents
In keeping with the "International" name, the league included one team, El Paso-Juarez Sol, which acknowledged both sides of the international twin town in its name.
Divisions
The league started with 5 teams in 1975, but split into two divisions with the addition of the Tucson Turquoise in 1976. The two divisions were Western, which consisted of teams on the Pacific Coast, and a second, called Eastern in 1975 and Continental after 1977, for teams from the Rocky Mountain states.
The only team from the Eastern or Continental Division to win a championship was the Tucson Sky in 1979.
Teams
The teams and the years of existence were:
Venues:
1975
Regular Season
Single division, top three teams made playoffs, top team given bye in first playoff round.
Playoffs
Round 1
Championship (Best 3 of 5)
1976
Regular Season
Top five teams made playoffs, top team from each division received bye in first round of playoffs
Eastern Division
Western Division
Playoffs and Championship
Best 3 of 5
Round 1
Round 2
Championship
1977
Regular Season
Two divisions, two top teams from each division played a playoff game
Continental Division
Western Division
Playoffs and Championships
Best 3 out of 5
Continental Division
Western Division
Championship
1978
Regular Season and Championship
Records for the 1978 are incomplete. The teams finished as follows, with Santa Barbara being the champion. Players for Santa Barbara were Reede Reynolds (USA), Luis Eymard (Brazil), Jose Luis Garcia (Mexico), Bebeto De Fritas (Brazil), Larry Milliken, Sue Herrington, Rosie Wegrith
Albuquerque Lazers Salt Lake City Stingers
1979
Regular Season
Two divisions, two top teams from each division played a playoff game
Continental Division
Western Division
Playoffs and Championship
Best 3 out of 5
Continental Division
Western Division
Championship
Notable players
NBA great Wilt Chamberlain played with the Seattle Smashers in 1977.