List of Volleyball Statistics

Volleyball is a quickly growing sport around the world, and has its own unique set of statistics that are recorded and interpreted in any given match. That being said, it is important for the casual learner, player, or observer to have a general understanding of these statistics so they may better and more properly be able to enjoy the game.

List of Volleyball Statistics

• Assists (A)
• Attempt
• Ball Handling Error (BHE)
• Block Assist (BA)
• Block Solo (BS)
• Blocking Error (BE)
• Dig (D)
• Error (E)
• Games Played (GP)
• Hitting Percentage (PCT)
• Kills (K)
• Match Win-Loss Percentage
• Opponent Hitting Percentage
• Passing Score
• Point
• Reception Error (RE)
• Save
• Service Ace (SA)
• Service Error (SE)
• Total Attempts (TA)
• Total Team Blocks
• Triple Double
• Zero Attacks

Assists (A)

An assist is recorded for any player who makes the pass directly before a kill is made by their teammate. This pass can come from a regular pass, set, or a dig. The assist only counts if it is made before a kill; so not every point that is scored requires an assist.

Attempt

Each time a player tries to make an attack it is marked as an attempt.

Ball Handling Error (BHE)

Ball handling errors are mistakes a player commits that relate to physical handling of the ball. Examples of such errors include lifting or carrying the ball, throwing the ball, and double hits. Reception, attack, and blocking errors are not recorded as ball handling errors.

Block Assist (BA)

A blocking assist happens when a receiving pair of players make a block together. If a kill attempt is blocked by two players together, a block assist is counted for both. However, even if only one of the two players makes contact in the block, it is still recorded as a block assist for both players. Block assists help show a team’s level of defensive teamwork.

Block Solo (BS)

A block solo occurs when a player makes a block entirely on their own accord, without the help or assistance of any of their teammates. Block solos, or solo blocks, are a very important skill for talented volleyball players to have. Middle hitters tend to get the most solo blocks as they are responsible for blocking quick hits towards the middle.

Blocking Error (BE)

The blocking error occurs when a player makes a mistake while attempting to make a block. However, blocking errors are not recorded upon any unsuccessful block, but rather count when a player makes a personal error on their own account. Examples of blocking errors include touching or falling into the net, throwing the ball, reaching over the net, or something similar.

Dig (D)

In a straightforward way, a dig is anytime a player is able to keep an incoming ball from hitting the ground on their side. More technically, a dig is recorded when a player successfully returns an attacking serve or attempt in a way that the ball goes over the net or makes it to a teammate as a pass. 

Error (E)

Errors are made up of the various ways a team makes a mistake within their own attacking or defensive sequence. An attack error results when a team unsuccessfully gets the ball to the other side. There are several ways this may happen, including but not limited to hitting the ball out of bounds, being blocked by the opponent, or hitting the ball into the net. 

Games Played (GP)

Games played is the total number of games a player has played in a given match. This metric is simple as long as you remember the distinction between games and matches. A match is the whole competitive event and is composed of usually three to five games.

Hitting Percentage (PCT)

An important attacking statistic, hitting percentage shows how well a team or player is making successful kill attempts. Hitting percentage is calculated by subtracting errors from kills, and then dividing that by total attempts. This statistic is useful in determining how well a player or team is capitalizing on kill opportunities.

Kills (K)

Kills are any instance in which a player gets the ball over the net without the opponent returning it. More specifically, a kill results in a point no matter what, and is awarded to the player that hits the ball to the opposing team. Kills are most often highlighted with high velocity spikes that give the opponent no chance to return.

Match Win-Loss Percentage

Also known as winning percentage, match win-loss percentage (Match W-L Pctg.) shows the fraction of matches that a player or team has one. Match win-loss percentage is calculated by dividing the total matches played by the number of wins.

Opponent Hitting Percentage

Opponent Hitting Percentage is a defensive statistic that expresses the blocking efficiency of a player or team. Just as a high hitting percentage represents high hitting ability, a low opponent hitting percentage expresses a greater ability to block.

Passing Score

Many teams use a point system to measure how well their team is passing the ball off of serves. Each pass after a serve is rated zero through three. A zero pass means the ball is shanked and not returned. A three pass means that the ball is placed where the setter can set all three hitters. Being able to set one attacker is one point and two attackers is two points. To find a team’s passing score, take the cumulative number of points and divide by the number of serve receptions. A score of two is average while anything below that means a team needs to work on serve receiving.

Point

Scorers note who scored each point during the game.

Reception Error (RE)

A reception error, also called a receiving error, occurs anytime a player or team makes an error upon attempting to receive a serve. Reception errors can be charged to an individual player or the entire receiving team. When the ball lands right next to a player, or they fail to return the ball in a playable manner, an individual reception error is recorded. A team reception error occurs when an ace is made by the other team or the error is indistinguishable between players.

Save

Scorers mark each time a defensive player saves the ball from hitting the ground. This is usually on hard spikes or well placed tips.

Service Ace (SA)

A service ace happens when a player’s serve makes it to the ground on the other team’s side without being touched by a player on that side. However, a serve does not have to hit the ground untouched to be awarded an ace. In fact, an ace is recorded for the server anytime a player makes a reception error when trying to receive the serve. This is most commonly referred to as just an “ace” outside of statistical records.

Service Error (SE)

Service errors happen when a player unsuccessfully attempts a serve, and a point is awarded directly to the other team. Examples of service errors include when the ball does not make it over the net or goes out of bounds as well as when the server makes a line violation or serves out of rotation. Service errors are similar to reception errors except they occur on the other side of the court.

Total Attempts (TA)

Total attempts are made up of every attempt a player can make to get the ball over the net, successful or unsuccessful. Total attempts are calculated by adding up all the kills, errors, and “zero attacks” made by a player. Total attempts are used in the calculation of hitting percentage.

Total Team Blocks

The total team blocks consist of all the blocks that a team has made during a match. This includes both individual blocks as well as block assists. However, assist blocks only count as half, since they are given to two players in a given block. So, total team blocks are calculated by adding solo blocks and one half times block assists.

Triple Double

A triple double is counted every time a player accumulates double-digit totals in three of five statistics: aces, assists, blocks, digs, and kills. A volleyball triple double is a fairly rare occurrence and is a mark of an excellent all-around player.

Zero Attacks

Generally not recorded in a box score, zero attacks are attacking hits that result in continued gameplay. This means that after a kill attempt, the returning team successfully digs and plays the attack and the normal game flow continues. In a zero attack, neither team has yet scored a point.

FAQ