Volleyball is an exciting sport to watch. At the net, two or three players jump up, but which one is going to hit the ball? You don’t know. The players on the other side try to block the ball. If the ball gets through, they have to keep it from hitting the ground. They make great defensive plays. The 1960s and 70s were the golden age of Japanese volleyball. The women’s team won gold medals at the 1964 and at the 1976 Olympics. The men’s team won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics. The women’s team has played in almost all the Olympic games, but the men’s team has not done as well. Now, both teams look strong. They may get their first medals in a long time at the Paris Olympics.   (133 words)