New Rules, New Vocabulary for Collegiate Volleyball This Fall
8/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2008
RollTide.com Bama Bash Tournament Coverage
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama volleyball matches will have a new look in 2008. The NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committee approved rule changes for the upcoming season that will ramp up the intensity.
The biggest change is the adoption of the international match-scoring system. Sets one through four will be played to 25 points instead of 30. If a fifth set is needed, it will be played to 15 as before.
Head coach Judy Green thinks the new rules will bring positive changes to Alabama volleyball.
"I was a proponent of this change because I feel playing to 25 points brings a sense of urgency to every point, which I like," Green said. "Every point is important but now the games will be a little bit shorter and faster.
The committees had both players and fans in mind with the rule change, "The intention of this rule change is to increase fan and player focus and fan excitement."
"It's a little different because the games go by faster," senior libero Amy Pauly. "Normally, last year teams were pretty much even to about 20 points, maybe even to 25. Only going to 25, the game will be faster and there will be more upsets."
In addition to changing scoring rules, the committee also made changes to some terminology. Games will now be referred to as sets.
"I think from a fan perspective it will help them understand what they have just seen at the Olympics," Green said. "The men's and women's teams played to 25 points and it was called a set. Now when they come to our home volleyball games they will hear the same language."
Fans will be able to see Alabama volleyball in action, as well as check out the new scoring system, Friday, Aug. 29 when the Crimson Tide takes on Western Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. in the season opening Hampton Inn Bama Bash.
