Loading ...The 2024 women’s volleyball season is going to look very different in comparison to previous ones, as the NCAA recently announced a series of rule changes that will be in effect for all future seasons. On February 20th, they announced the following changes;
- Ear cuffs and small nose rings are allowed to be worn by players during games.
- Both teams are allowed to have two designated liberos for each set, but only one is allowed on the court at a time, serving one position.
- Any protest against a decision made by a referee has to be handled during the game.
- If any interference above the net occurs, it can be “challengeable by video review.”
- If spectators get too close to the play area without any interference from the home team, referees are allowed to issue a red card to the team.
- “Double contact rule” has been removed, and players are now allowed to touch the ball twice as long as it is directed to another player on their team.
While some of these changes seem very minor, one of them is sparking a large controversy on social media. The change in question is the elimination of the double contact rule. Many players and spectators alike are concerned that this will make the setter position obsolete, and that it is unfair to change a rule that many have trained under for so long. It is worried that players will have to retrain under this new rule and destroy previous skills they have learned in the process.
Sources:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/volleyball/2024/02/22/ncaa-new-rule-changes-for-2024-25-volleyball-season-backlash/72702690007/
