Statistical Definitions & Guidelines

To improve the All-State selection process, the definitions of the statistical categories that are analyzed during the All-State selection meeting are listed below. Please ensure that your team statisticians are using these definitions and guidelines. While it is not mandatory that all of the following stats are kept and submitted, nominees with unrealistic or incomplete stats and/or supporting information may be at a disadvantage during the selection process.
ATTACKING
Attack Attempt - Any overhead contact of the ball designed to score.
     **Note: Any kill must have a corresponding attack attempt.

Kill - Any attack that lands for a point. Also award a kill when:
  • a freeball or a set (intentional or not) crosses the net and lands on the floor.
  • an attack is blocked out of bounds or into the net to end the point.
  • when an opposing blocker is called for a net or centerline violation.
  • a dig attempt crosses the net and lands on the floor.
  • the player uses a blocking motion to terminate an opposing over-pass (cannot be credited as a block, as the over-pass is not an attack).

Assist - Awarded to the player who passes/sets the ball to a teammate who attacks the ball for a kill.
  • An assist is generally the second contact in a play sequence followed by a kill on the third contact.
  • An assist can be awarded off a dig/pass (1st contact), provided the attack comes on the 2nd contact.

SERVING
Ace - is awarded when:
  • a serve lands untouched on the opponent's side.
  • the receiving team has overlapped or is out of rotation.
  • the passing player is whistled for a reception/ball-handling error.
  • the serve is passed, but cannot be kept in play.

Service Error - is awarded when:
  • the server commits a foot fault.
  • the serve doesn't advance past the net, is out of bounds, or hits the antenna.
  • the server is out of rotation (error charged to the player who should have served).

Serve Attempt - any time a player attempts a serve.

Reception Attempt (in serve receive) - is awarded when:
  • a Team A player attempts to receive a Team B player's serve.

Reception Error (in serve receive) - is awarded when:
  • the serve hits the floor near a player.
  • the player passes the ball, but it can't be kept in play.
  • the player is called for a lift.
**Note: When an ace falls between two players and fault cannot be judged, or if the team is whistled for a rotation error, a team reception error is recorded.

Passer Accuracy Rating (in serve receive) 
  • Each serve receive attempt is graded on a scale of 0-3.
    • 0 = reception error or pass results in team's inability to generate an attack
    • 1 = ball kept in play enough for one front row hitter to generate an attack
    • 2 = pass accurate enough to allow two front row hitters to generate an attack (but a quick middle attack unlikely)
    • 3 = in-system pass accurate enough to allow three front row hitters to generate an attack
  • Rating is an average of all serve reception scores

DEFENSE
Dig - is awarded when a defensive player keeps an attack in play with a pass.
  • A dig is only awarded off an attack attempt from the opposing team.
  • A dig is NOT awarded when passing a freeball, receiving a serve, or playing up a ball that was blocked by the opposing team.

Block - is awarded when a player blocks an opposing attack into the opposition's court leading directly to a point.
  • SOLO BLOCK - when only one blocker is up, blocker is awarded a solo block.
  • ASSIST BLOCK - when multiple blockers are up, an assist block is awarded to all contributing blockers regardless of how many blockers come in physical contact with the ball. 
  • Note: A player using a blocking motion to terminate an over-pass is awarded a kill rather than a block, as an over-pass is not an attack.

All-State Statistical Guidelines

One of the criteria used by the selection committee will be statistics. The committee realizes the great diversity of statistics which will be presented by the candidates. It will be just one of the criteria used. All stats should be recorded using the definitions listed above. All statistical data will be considered; however, the importance of each criterion shall be left to the judgment of the selection committees. Nominees with unrealistic or incomplete stats and/or supporting information may be disadvantaged and potentially eliminated during the selection process. Coaches are also encouraged to consider content of character when submitting nominations or stats for players who have had a violation(s) of the behavior regulations set forth by the MSHSL.

NOTE: The statistical minimums listed below are meant to serve as guidelines - not as firm requirements - for All-State nominees. Players meeting these statistical benchmarks are also not guaranteed All-State honors. 
STATISTICAL CRITERIA
A. Attacking
1. Kills per set
  • ​Middle Hitters - 3.5
  • Outside Hitters - 3.5
  • Right Side - 3.0
2. Hitting efficiency (kills - errors/total attacks)
  • Middle Hitters - .350
  • Outside Hitters - .275
  • Right Side - .300

B. Setting (for setters only)
1. 5-1 Offense: Assists per set - 8.00
2. 6-2 Offense: Assists per set - 4.00

C. Passing (serve reception)
1. Candidate is a primary passer (min. 150 reception attempts)
2. Passer accuracy rating (on 3-point scale)
3. Reception percentage (successful receptions/total attempts)

D. Defense
1. Digs per set
  • Libero - 4.5
  • Outside Hitter - 3.5
  • Setter - 1.5
2. Total blocks per set (assist blocks + solo blocks)
  • Middle Hitters - 1.0
  • Right Side - 0.6
SELECTION CRITERIA
A. Middle Hitters/Right Side Hitters
1. Primary Considerations
  • Hitting efficiency, kills per set, blocks per set
2. Secondary Considerations
  • Passing, digging, serving

B. Outside Hitters
1. Primary Considerations
  • Hitting efficiency, kills per set, digging, passing
2. Secondary Considerations
  • Blocking, serving

C. Setters
1. Primary Considerations
  • Assists per set, team hitting efficiency
2. Secondary Considerations
  • Digging, blocking, serving

D. Libero/Defensive Specialist
1. Primary Considerations
  • Digs per set, serve receive passing accuracy
2. Secondary Considerations
  • Serving

*NOTE: Averages are based on per set stats, NOT per match.