UCCS’ volleyball team has just four games left in their regular season. All of them are at home, so if you haven’t gone to a volleyball game, now is the time to show up and support.
So, let’s break down the game of volleyball and where it happens at UCCS.
The volleyball team plays in Gallogly Events Center, which is tucked into the bluffs just a little way before Dwire Hall. Entry is always free for UCCS students. When entering Gallogly Events Center, the student section is to the left.
As someone who has attended many volleyball games as a photographer for The Scribe, I highly recommend sitting as high as possible in the bleachers to avoid stray volleyballs. I’ve had quite a few close calls of almost getting hit in the head with a volleyball when I’m down close to the court. So, unless the thought of getting hit by a volleyball gives you an adrenaline rush, definitely sit up high.
A volleyball match is won by the first team to win three sets. This means a match can be just three sets if one team sweeps or a maximum of five if each team wins two sets. A set consists of 25 points — the first team with 25 points and a two-point lead wins the set. If there is no two-point lead when 25 points are reached, the set continues until it is. The 5th set is played to 15 points and the two-point lead. There is a three-minute break between each set.
According to the NCAA rulebook, there are three ways to score in volleyball:
- Service error: the ball hits the net, the serving player’s court floor, goes out of bounds or is successfully blocked. The point is awarded to the non-serving team.
- Attack error: a volleyball in play goes out of bounds, is successfully blocked or goes into the net. If the attack error occurs because the ball goes out of bounds or hits the net, the point is given to the team who didn’t cause the ball to go out of bounds. If it is successfully blocked, the point is given to the blocking team.
- Kill: occurs when an attack is unreturnable by the opposition. The point is awarded to the attacking team.
According to the NCAA, there are a few distinct elements in volleyball: player rotation, the libero player and ball contact during a rally.
Each time a team receives the right to serve — like scoring a point in the previous rally (play) — they must rotate their six players on the court one position clockwise. Three players will be in the front row and three in the back row. Back row players may not block during the rally.
During a rally, the libero player may not perform any attacking maneuvers or attempt blocking. They are restricted to digs. The libero player also wears a distinct jersey unlike the rest of the team to designate their position. A volleyball team is limited to three contacts with the ball when receiving an attack during a rally. Four contacts with the ball result in a foul.
Gomountainlions.com has the volleyball team’s season schedule, roster and game statistics. The Mountain Lions play next on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. against the RMAC leader Metro State Roadrunners. The game on Nov. 15 is their annual white-out night game where a number of students who get to the game the fastest get free T-shirts.
Graphic by Neako Hallisey.