Sports Imports has been the trusted volleyball equipment manufacturer for U.S. programs since 1976 — from high school courts to NCAA championships. For five decades, our in-ground volleyball net systems, carbon fiber poles, and precision-engineered floor plates and sleeves have set the standard for safety, performance, and durability at every level of the game.
This is the story of how one company from Columbus, Ohio changed volleyball in America — and why the sport’s most respected organizations have trusted Sports Imports equipment for half a century.
When Sports Imports was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1976, the standard for U.S. volleyball courts was dangerous. Most volleyball net systems relied on guy wires — cables and anchors that cluttered court surfaces and posed real injury risks for athletes.
Sports Imports introduced safe, in-ground volleyball net systems to the United States, eliminating guy wires entirely. Clean installations. Professional setups. Courts designed to prioritize athlete safety and performance above all else.
In-ground volleyball floor plates and sleeves quickly became the industry standard. Facilities across the country — high schools, college programs, club facilities, and national competition venues — adopted the Sports Imports approach. The sport became safer. Courts became cleaner. And the benchmark for volleyball court design was permanently raised.
Sports Imports has continuously advanced volleyball equipment technology over five decades. Our engineering has always centered on three principles: safety, performance, and durability — the same standards that define elite volleyball at every level.
In 2012, Sports Imports introduced the SI-1 Carbon Volleyball Pole, the first all-carbon volleyball pole of its kind. At just 19 pounds, the SI-1 delivers championship-level strength in a pole light enough for any staff member or athlete to handle. It redefined the strength-to-weight standard for volleyball poles and remains the benchmark for high-performance volleyball court systems today.
That same drive for innovation led to the creation of portable volleyball net systems — professional-grade systems built to perform without permanent installation. Today, Sports Imports portable systems are featured in arena events and club tournaments nationwide, bringing the same standards of safety and performance to every court.
From our original steel in-ground systems to portable net systems and carbon fiber volleyball poles, Sports Imports continues to invest in volleyball equipment that meets the demands of modern programs and modern athletes.
Sports Imports is the official net system of the NCAA — the volleyball equipment trusted on college volleyball’s biggest stages, where championships are decided.
Our volleyball equipment partnerships span the full landscape of the sport:
Sports Imports is also the exclusive North American distributor of Senoh volleyball equipment — a partnership that dates to our founding in 1976 and has been foundational in establishing volleyball court standards across the United States.
We are the only volleyball equipment manufacturer ever inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame.
That recognition reflects a simple truth: the impact of the right equipment on a program, a coach, and an athlete extends far beyond the court itself.
For 50 years, Sports Imports has designed and installed volleyball court systems for programs at every level of competition. Our in-ground volleyball net systems and equipment serve:
We have grown alongside the sport — and the sport has grown with us.
In 2023, Sports Imports became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company. Every member of our team — from the team designing volleyball net systems to the customer service staff supporting coaches and athletic directors — now holds a direct stake in the company they help build.
For the programs and facilities that rely on Sports Imports equipment, this matters. Employee ownership means long-term independence, a protected culture of innovation, and a company accountable to the volleyball community — not outside investors.
The coaches, athletic directors, and program builders who have trusted Sports Imports for decades deserve a partner with that kind of commitment. We intend to earn it for the next 50 years.
Fifty years of Sports Imports is fifty years of the volleyball community building something worth celebrating.
Throughout 2026, we are spotlighting the schools, clubs, and programs across the country that have helped shape the modern game — the coaches who built their programs on safe courts, the athletic directors who invested in their facilities, and the athletes who competed on equipment we are proud to put our name on.
Submit your volleyball facility or program to be featured in our 50th anniversary spotlight. Share your story. Help us show the volleyball community what five decades of partnership actually looks like.
Fifty years in. The mission is the same: elevate the game of volleyball.
Who is Sports Imports?
Sports Imports is a volleyball equipment manufacturer founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1976. The company is the official net system supplier to the NCAA, the exclusive North American distributor of Senoh volleyball products, and the only equipment manufacturer inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame.
What volleyball equipment does Sports Imports offer?
Sports Imports offers indoor volleyball net systems, volleyball poles including the SI-1 Carbon Volleyball Pole, beach volleyball poles and nets, competition nets, in-ground floorplates and sleeves, and complete volleyball court systems for high school, collegiate, club, and national competition facilities.
Can Sports Imports help with new volleyball facility construction?
Yes. Sports Imports works with programs at every level — from high school gyms to collegiate facilities — to plan and install complete volleyball court systems during new construction or renovation. Our team can advise on court layout, equipment selection, and sleeve installation from the ground up.
How do I contact Sports Imports customer service?
Sports Imports customer service can be reached directly through our website. Our team supports coaches, athletic directors, and facility managers with equipment questions, orders, installation guidance, and ongoing facility needs.
Is Sports Imports the official NCAA volleyball equipment supplier?
Yes. Sports Imports is the official net system of the NCAA and has supplied volleyball equipment for collegiate championship competition for decades.
When was Sports Imports founded?
Sports Imports was founded in 1976 in Columbus, Ohio. In 2026, the company celebrates its 50th anniversary as America’s leading volleyball equipment manufacturer.
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