NCAA Volleyball will Move from Sideout to Rally Scoring in 2001

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- The National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, the official rules-making body for women?s collegiate volleyball, has released its ?2001-2002 NAGWS Official Rules, Interpretations & Officiating Rulebook?. Among the modifications include changes in the scoring format to rally scoring, the let serve and the one toss per serve. The international pursuit rule was added as an experimental rule for the upcoming season.

The most noticeable difference this season will be the move from sideout volleyball to a rally scoring format where each play will result in a point. The first four games will be scored to 30 points, with the winner holding a two-point lead. The fifth and deciding game will be played to 15 with the winner leading by two points.

?Rally scoring could be an exciting thing, especially for the new fan,? Nebraska Coach John Cook said. ?Watching the games played in that format at the Junior Olympics last week, I saw a lot of close matches.

?In some ways, this might make the game more interesting. There will be a greater sense of urgency on every point, especially in the beginning of matches, because you don?t want to fall behind in rally scoring. If a team comes out flat or has an off-night, there is a great chance for an upset in rally scoring. But I think that the team that wins a match will still be the team that serves and passes the best while committing the fewest errors.?

Other significant changes involve the serve. Players must serve the ball within eight seconds after the referee authorizes service and will not be allowed a second toss for service. Further, the collegiate game will mimic the international game with the let serve. A served ball will remain in play if it hits the net and continues its path to the opposition?s court. A service ace can be earned if the ball falls to the opposition?s side of the court on the serve, despite contact with the net on service.

The international pursuit, an experimental rule for 2001-2002, can be implemented in a match by agreement of both coaches. The rule allows for a player to retrieve a ball (on second contact) that has crossed the plane of the net to the opponent?s free space, provided that player does not touch the opponent?s court and sends the ball back to their court, over or outside the antennas, for an opportunity for the third contact.