Tuesday, September 18, 2001

Changes in scoring format lead Volley Frogs to adjust game plan
By Colleen Casey
Skiff Staff

The Volley Frogs are 1-6, but head coach Sandy Troudt did not attribute the team’s slow start to new changes in the scoring format.

“We didn’t respond as well to rally scoring as I thought we would,” Troudt said. “But I don’t think it’s the scoring change. I think it’s just us.”

The change to the rally-scoring format is a new rule in effect this season for all of NCAA women’s collegiate volleyball, including TCU’s program. The Volley Frogs will have another game to adjust against North Texas 7 p.m. tonight at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Previously, women’s collegiate volleyball points had been recorded by the sideout scoring format. In rally scoring, each point earned goes to the team that earned it, regardless of which team is serving at the time the point is earned. Every point earned is accredited to that respective team. There are no sideouts.

The first four games of the match are scored up to 30 points, compared to 15 points previously. Similarly, the game is continued until one team has a two-point spread.

The fifth game will continue to be played until 15 points, and a winner is the point-leader by two points.

“It’s very hard to catch up if the team falls behind early,” Troudt said. “You then either need (the other team to have) a poor rotation or your own good serves that will you get back up.”

The rule will conform and unify all levels of volleyball, as international and club teams play rally-scored matches.

Freshman middle blocker Shannon Brown said she doesn’t need to adjust, as she played on club-level teams before playing at the collegiate level.

“It’s an adjustment to the game itself,” Brown said.

Another rule in effect this season effects serving directly.

The ball must be served within eight seconds after the referee authorizes the serve, and a second toss will not be permitted. Additionally, a served ball will remain in play if it hits the net and then continues to travel onto the opponent’s side, and could count as a service ace if it drops there.

Colleen Casey
c.m.casey@student.tcu.edu