NCAA volleyball 101: Rules, scoring, positions, stats, more - ESPN

Here's everything to know about NCAA Division I men's and women's volleyball:

What are NCAA volleyball rules?

There are six players on either side of the court at any given time during an NCAA volleyball match. The two opposing teams are separated by a net with a height slightly more than 7 feet. Nets also vary by gender, men's span 7 feet 11 5/8 inches, while women's standard net height is 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches. Each team plays in a square of 29 feet, 6 inches in width. Players rotate positions, and the serve order is in a clockwise circle. One player, the libero, is a designated defensive player and does not rotate to the front beside the net. The libero wears a different color uniform.

Scoring

NCAA volleyball matches are decided by the team that wins three of five sets. A team wins a set by being the first to score 25 points. A team must win a set by a two-point margin. If a fifth set is needed, it's played to 15 points.

Playing a point

A point starts when a player serves the ball from behind the playing area over the net to the other team. Once the ball is in play, each team may touch it only three times — excluding a block — before hitting it over the net to the other team. The ball may not touch the floor.

Winning a point

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A point is won when the opposing team fails to get the serve or shot over the net, allows the ball to hit the floor, hits the ball out of the playing area or touches the ball more than three times. A team may also win a point if one opponent touches the ball twice consecutively or if the ball hits the out-of-bounds rod at either end of the net. A point may also be awarded when the opposition receives a