yes. many people played volleyball at the time.
I was in my junior secondary school, my teacher would just give us a very old "Train" 12-piece-leather training volleyball and ask us to practise whenever we have time. (later on, those who can play better would be rewarded with a Mikasa/ Molten training Ball.) I remembered there were always volleyballs flying up and down around after school in the playground. My 
E teacher never really teach us any advance skill, we just sort that out ourselves. (Soccer and basketball are also popular but not to the degree as volleyball... maybe is good for both boys and girls.)
Later on, we even went to the plyaground near the Flower Market, Mongkok to play with strangers and my teacher would also help us to join summer volleyball class/ inter-school competition and even referree class...etc
I remembered "Pu Yin"/ "La Salle"/ Kwun Tong Techincial School/ Cheung Sa Wan Catholic have very good schooln team.
That was in the early 80's and when was also the best Chinese and Cuba Women Volleyball National team.
