The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved allowing women's volleyball players to contact the ball more than once with any part of the body in a single attempt on a team's second contact when the ball is played to a teammate.
However, if the ball is played over the net in this type of scenario, it would be ruled a fault, and the team would lose the point.
NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committee members debated the topic thoroughly at an in-person meeting in January before proposing this change.
Through the years, officiating double contacts has sparked intense debates between coaches and volleyball officials during matches. Committee members thought the elimination of this judgment call would bring more consistency to the game.
The committee also felt that it would promote the continuation of play, which would make the game more entertaining for the players and fans.
Data collected from an experimental rule in the spring of 2022 showed it would change only a small number of calls.
Two liberos
The panel approved each team being allowed to designate two liberos for each set of the match. Only one libero would be allowed on the court at a time, and the libero would be allowed to serve in one position.
The rationale for the proposal is to allow more players the opportunity to compete and to increase action and improve play.
Other rules changes
- Allowing the referee to issue an administrative sanction (red card) to the home team in instances where spectators encroach the playing area and the host administration fails to resolve the problem.
- Allowing interference above the net (whether an opponent was touched) to be added to the list of plays that can be challenged in video review.
- Expanding the jewelry rule to allow small, snug-fitting nose rings and ear cuffs.
- Requiring all protests to be resolved during the match.
Experimental rule
The Women's Volleyball Rules Committee in January approved an experimental rule to allow women's teams to use the men's/international volleyball (nonsmooth cover) during the nontraditional season this spring.
