MSCR is providing officials for all games of the tournament. Their judgment is final. MSCR expects all players, coaches and spectators to respect the officials and to cheer for players. Please adhere to these expectations: Recognize and acknowledge good performances made by both teams. Be humble and not boastful in victory. Be gracious and not bitter in defeat.
Tournament Style: Pool Play
Teams will be divided into 3 Pods. Within each pod, teams will be divided into two pools. Each team will play a round robin (2 games) within that pool. Pool winners will play off for a Pod Championship. There will be three tournament champions.
If there is a tie between two teams in a pool, head-to-head will be the determining factor. If there is a three-way tie, point differential will be the tiebreaker. Point differential ranks teams by the total number of points won minus the total number of points lost in all games played. If there is a tie with point differential, head to head will be the final tie breaker.
Net Height: Nets are set to Women’s Height - 7’4 ⅛”
Match Length: A match will consist of the best of three sets. If a team wins the first two sets the 3rd set will not be played.
Scoring: “Rally Scoring” will be used for all play. Rally scoring means a point is awarded following each serve. The point is awarded to the team that “won” the point. The first two sets will play to 25 points with a cap of 30 points. This means you must win by 2 points up to 30, after that you may win by 1 point. The third set will play to 15 points with no cap. You must win this game by 2 points.
Roster Size: This is an all-gender program. Six players will constitute a full team on the court. A team may start with 5 players, if a 6th player arrives they must enter the game at the first legal opportunity. Only players listed on the team roster will be allowed to play.
Substitutions:A "bench" will be provided for all players not currently on the court. All players should be seated until they rotate in. Teams should rotate all players into and out of the game so all players play 25% of the match. Teams may rotate into only one position at one time. No substitutions are allowed (except to replace an injured player who may not re-enter during that game once they leave for an injury; substitute someone waiting to rotate in.)
Service Rules: A 5-serve maximum rule per player will be used but in keeping with the true spirit of rally scoring we will not penalize a team with a side-out. If a player serves 5 consecutive times, the serving team will keep the serve but be required to rotate to the next server. Coaches are asked to help keep track of the number of serves.
Either an overhand or underhand serving will be allowed. If an underhand serve is used, only one attempt will be allowed.
Re-Serve: If an overhand serve is used, one reserve, or “do-over” will be allowed if:
the ball is thrown in the air and the server catches or drops it or
the ball does not clear the net or
the ball does not go between the antennae (or where antennae would be) or
the ball goes between the antennae and then out of bounds on the sideline
The re-serve may be either overhand or underhand. NOTE: the re-serve is only allowed on the first point served.
UPDATE 10/17/24 - High School rules (8-1.6) allows the server to catch or drop the ball one time per serve. “A re-serve shall be called when the server releases the ball for service, then catches it or it drops to the floor. The referee shall cancel the serve and direct a second and last attempt at the serve.” In this instance, a re-serve is allowed on any point served, not just the first point.
No re-serve is warranted if:
the server steps over the baseline (foot fault)
the ball hits the ceiling on the serve (on either side of the net)
or the ball clears the net and goes out of bounds at the end line.
All serves must be from the baseline. The server must remain behind the end line until after they have struck the ball.
Specific rules regarding play and service: High School rules are the basis for our playing rules.
A high school rule change allows the “Let Serve” to be in play. A Let Serve is when the ball hits the net, continues over and is to be played by the receiving team.
Defensive Specialist or “Libero” – It is the belief of MSCR that at our level, participating student athletes should have the chance to play all positions, and we will not institute the use of a Libero or Defensive Specialist.
Miscellaneous:
Players must play a minimum of 25% of each match. No hats or watches. Small, secured stud jewelry above the chin is permitted. No hoop or dangling earrings. NO contact with the net will be allowed. A foot in contact with and/or shadowing the centerline will be acceptable. Each team is allowed one time out per set. A coin toss is used to determine serve/side. Teams should switch sides every set. Players and coaches should shake hands at the end of the match.