What is an Ace in Volleyball?

An ace occurs in volleyball when the service results in a point for the serving team. One example of a volleyball ace is the service hitting the opponent’s ground in play without anyone touching it. Another type is if the other team mishandles the ball on their counter from the service, like hitting directly out of bounds.

So, what makes a volleyball serve an ace in more detail? How many points is an ace worth? What is a return ace? Finally, how do you calculate your ace statistics in volleyball matches?

Here is the complete guide to what an ace is in volleyball.

What Makes a Serve an Ace in Volleyball?

There are five ways to serve an ace during a volleyball game, but a service must meet a few key points.

First, the ball must be a service and directly result in a point. That means that only one player from the other team can touch the ball. The easiest way to get an ace is when the ball lands before anyone touches it.
If you serve the ball and it hits the net, it is an ace if it falls over the net and to the floor in your opponent’s court without being touched.
Your opponent shanks the ball. A shank occurs when the ball is hit but is unplayable after the hit.
If the receiver is called for a violation, such as a lift or a double hit after the service, this will also be marked down as an ace.
If the receiving team is out of rotation, they will receive a penalty that will cause your serve to be an ace.

Is an Ace 2 Points in Volleyball?

While impressive, an ace only results in one point for your team. However, while it is only one point on the scorecard, getting an ace does two things.

First, it motivates the server to replicate that shot, which can give them extra confidence in their future services. Second, the other team may become discouraged that they could not play that previous service and thus might have a mental lapse in judgment on their next attempt.

What Is an Example of an Ace During a Volleyball Match?

Two main types of aces can serve as an example of an ace: a no-touch ace and a regular ace. A no-touch ace occurs when the volleyball serve goes untouched by any opposing volleyball players and hits the floor for a point. A regular ace occurs in any way other than being untouched.

Three popular types of serving styles can result in an ace serve: float serves, jump serves, and topspin serves. A float serve is when the server’s wrist is firm, and they give the ball a high five. This service will not have any spin and will float to the other team’s side.

A jump serve is when the server tosses the ball while approaching the line, then jumps up to serve the ball. A topspin serve involves the teams’ server snapping their wrist the same way as a wing spiker does. This results in a volleyball that spins and heads straight for the floor. A topspin serve is an advanced move in which only the best players with the most ball control can perform effectively.

How Do You Calculate the Ace Percentage in Volleyball?

The ace percentage calculation is (aces/total service attempts). For example, if you have ten aces in your last 20 service ace attempts, you have a .5 or 50% ace percentage.

What is a Good Ace Percentage in Volleyball?

According to the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Aces Per Set Stat, some of the best players have more than one ace per set. For example, Bradley Peters has a 1.273 score since they have 14 aces out of 11 sets. However, Bradley is at the league’s top, and most players fall in the .800 range for aces per set.

Meanwhile, the highest for NCAA Women’s Volleyball Aces Per Set Stat is in the upper 80s.

What Does Not Count as an Ace in Volleyball?

Anytime a serve is hit by the receiving player and then hit by one of his teammates, it can no longer be an ace. Also, if the passer hits the ball over the net and lands in bounds on the volleyball team’s court, an ace will not occur.

While resulting in a point for the opposite team, a rotational fault does not count as an ace either. Technically, it is not an ace if more than one opposing team player touches the ball, either. When this happens, the point is usually attributed to a failure on the receiving team rather than the skill of the server.

What is a Return Ace in Volleyball?

When a return ace occurs, the receiver hits the serve directly over the net. The serving team cannot handle the return, and a point goes to the receiving team. Return aces are not usually seen in higher levels of indoor volleyball. You are much more likely to see a player perform a return ace during beach volleyball or beginner’s volleyball.

Conclusion: What is an Ace in Volleyball?

In conclusion, an ace occurs when a serve results in a point for the serving team. For example, if the serve lands on the opponent’s ground before anyone touches it, it is an ace shot. Another instance is if the service results in only one player hitting the return, but the ball either goes out of bounds or fails to go over the net on their hit.

However, there are some restrictions to this rule. For instance, only one opposing player may touch the ball for the service to be an ace.

Finally, it is worth remembering that an ace shot only counts as one point for the serving team. However, there can be some morale boost that comes from an ace shot, which can motivate your team to play even better. Momentum, especially in volleyball, can quickly change, and an ace can be the catalyst.