The NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committee proposed a scoring format that will change the winning score for games one through four from 30 points to 25 points, which will be more consistent with national and international match formats. 

All rules change proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP), which will review all recommendations at its next meeting February 27.  The 25-point format is used in all rule codes, including the National Federation of State High Schools.  The fifth set, if necessary, will still be to 15 points.

"The 25-point sets will add an intensity and excitement level to our matches that has been missing," said Marcia Alterman, the committee's secretary-rules editor.  "I believe that players, coaches and fans will agree that the critical nature of every point will emphasize the need for focus and consistency to every play."  

In addition, the committee recommended changing the term game to set and reducing substitutions from 15 to 12, primarily because of the change to 25-point sets.  The format for media timeouts will remain the same.

Additionally, a new ball handling directive, which guides officials to be less severe when judging second team contacts, was proposed.  The committee envisions that this directive will not only increase consistency in officiating calls, but also assist the growth of the game by no longer punishing extraordinary and highly athletic plays. 

"There has been a demand for more consistency regarding the referees' ball handling decisions for several years across all divisions as well as regions of the country," said Kerry Carr, chair of the committee and head women's volleyball coach at the University of Pennsylvania.  "I think the game will benefit from a decrease in the whistles that stop a rally due to a marginal infraction on ball handling, especially when there's been a great athletic attempt to keep the ball alive."

The committee, comprised of Divisions I, II and III coaches and administrators, gave the topic of event management and facility expectations serious consideration.  After much discussion, the group recommended adding preferred facility specifications to the NCAA WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL RULES AND INTERPRETATIONS.  In addition, Rule 1.1 was changed to state that all playable areas must be visible to team members and officials. 

The committee also reviewed various types of net systems available, which are becoming more diverse, as manufacturers seek alternatives for facilities that cannot accommodate the traditional sleeve system.  The committee will continue to research minimal net and pole requirements that maintain the integrity of the game while providing choices for various facilities.

As technology continues to impact volleyball, the committee is monitoring methods used to gather data during a match and broadcast matches to the public.  The committee began discussions on the use of instant replay and its impact on volleyball.

A recommendation from the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee was reviewed to amend Rule 18 to include an option for relocating the first referee to the bench side of the net for the NCAA championships.  ESPN has made this request to enhance the television production of the championship.  No action was taken on the request at this time, but continued research and consideration are planned in the near future.  

The volleyball rules book was slated to move to a two-year cycle starting with the 2009 publication.  The committee is forwarding a request to PROP to start its two-year cycle with the 2010 book.  This will provide a better cycle to consider those rule changes made by Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.