Rita Crockett was a member of the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Women’s Olympic Teams, helping USA to the silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. She was one of six players selected to the All-World Team in 1981 as she led the U.S. team to the 1981 FIVB World Cup bronze medal. Crockett assisted the United States to the bronze medal at the 1982 FIVB World Championship in Peru. For 17 years, she played and coached in the United States, Japan, Italy and Switzerland. From 1982 to 1986, she played for the Daiei Team in Kobe, Japan, helping the team to the Japan V-League title and being named MVP in 1986. From 1988 to 1993, Crockett played for Matera and Rome in Italy. In 1990 she was named most valuable player of the Italian League and helped Rome win the European Championship in 1993. Crockett was the first African-American to win a beach volleyball World Championship in 1986 alongside Volleyball Hall of Fame partner Jackie Silva.
