High school volleyball games are structured around segments called “sets,” not timed periods like those used in basketball or hockey. The total number of sets played determines the length of the match. This number is not fixed and depends on the format adopted by the specific league or tournament. A match concludes when one team wins the required majority of these sets.
The Correct Terminology: Sets, Not Periods
A set is fundamentally different from a period because it is not governed by a clock. While a period in other sports is a fixed duration of time, a volleyball set is a score-limited segment of play. The set continues until one team reaches a predetermined point total and achieves a necessary margin of victory.
This structure means that the length of a set can vary significantly, often lasting anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the competitiveness of the teams. The absence of a time limit ensures that the outcome is determined purely by a team’s ability to score points, rather than by the expiration of a clock.
Standard High School Match Format
High school volleyball matches typically follow one of two formats: the best-of-three or the best-of-five. The best-of-three format is common for regular season play, requiring a team to win two sets for victory. The best-of-five format, which requires winning three sets, is often reserved for varsity dual matches, tournaments, or championship play, as it demands greater endurance and strategic depth.
In both formats, the first sets are played to 25 points. A team must win by a margin of at least two points; if the score ties at 24-24, play continues until one team gains a two-point advantage, such as 26-24 or 27-25. If a best-of-five match is tied at two sets apiece, a deciding fifth set is played. This tie-breaker set is shorter, played only to 15 points, but still requires the two-point margin of victory to conclude the match.
Scoring Rules and Governing Bodies
The method used to score points in high school volleyball is known as Rally Scoring, adopted widely since the early 2000s. Under this system, a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which team served the ball. This contrasts sharply with older scoring methods where a team could only score a point while they were serving.
The rules governing high school volleyball are primarily established by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The NFHS provides a national rulebook that state athletic associations adopt and sometimes modify for local competitions. This is why the match format can vary, with some states or leagues opting for the best-of-three for all regular season matches while others mandate the best-of-five for varsity play. The NFHS recommends the best-of-five format for varsity matches, with the first four sets to 25 points and the fifth set, if necessary, to 15 points.