Vietnamese Women's Volleyball and the Rally Scoring Revolution: Every Rally Matters

I still remember the moment in 2026 when I first stood in the stands of Noevir Stadium Kobe watching a Nadeshiko League match. Not football, but women's volleyball – the sport I have pursued for the past 5 years. That day, I witnessed a rally that lasted 28 touches, ending with a spike from a 19-year-old athlete, and the entire stands – only 300 people – applauded. I asked myself: why does a sport so dramatic receive so little attention? The answer lies in the rules themselves – something few people truly understand. When mentioning volleyball, many Vietnamese people still think of friendly matches of the women's national team on television, with two or three touches before the rally ends. But modern volleyball has completely changed since 2026, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) officially adopted the rally point system at the Sydney Olympics. Before that, volleyball only awarded points to the serving team – a system that could make matches last indefinitely. The rally scoring revolution changed everything: every rally, regardless of which team served, produces a point. According to data from KeepTheScore – an independent volleyball statistics service – across approximately 700 matches, the rate of sets ending at 24-24 or beyond (called deuce) is only 8-9%. The average set score is 25-17, an 8-point margin. What does this mean? It means those dramatic 24-24 moments we see on television – those nail-biting climaxes – are actually quite rare. But that rarity is precisely what creates the appeal. In a women's volleyball set, every touch of the ball can decide the fate of the entire match. I have followed many matches of the Vietnamese women's volleyball team in SEA Games and Asian Championship tournaments. What I have noticed is that Vietnamese girls are often underestimated because their physiques are not as imposing as Thai, Japanese, or Chinese opponents. But under the rally scoring system, the advantage no longer lies purely in strength. A team with good defense, few errors, and stable serve reception will always have a chance. The rules state that each team can touch the ball a maximum of 3 times before sending it over the net – a seemingly simple rule that is the foundation of all tactics. The rally scoring system also changes rotation tactics. During a set, each team must maintain the correct rotation order when serving. Violating this results in an immediate point loss – a strict rule I have witnessed many young Vietnamese teams commit in regional tournaments. Each player's position is clearly defined: the setter stands at position 2/1, outside hitters at 4/2, middle blockers at 3/6, and the opposite at 2/1. Precision in every movement not only demonstrates tactical discipline but is also a matter of survival in a tense set. One of the most important changes I want to emphasize is the role of the libero – the defensive specialist. Liberos are allowed to substitute freely for back-row players without counting as official substitutions. However, liberos cannot serve, cannot block, and cannot attack when the ball is above the top of the net. This creates a completely specialized position dedicated to defense. In Vietnamese women's volleyball, I have seen excellent liberos – small girls with incredible ball-saving abilities. They are clear proof that volleyball is not only for tall people. Interestingly, the best-of-five format – where the first team to win 3 sets wins the match – has very clear statistical characteristics. According to KeepTheScore data, the average number of sets in a best-of-five match is 4, meaning 3-1 results are the most common. Meanwhile, the fifth set is shortened to 15 points (instead of 25 points in previous sets), with a minimum 2-point margin requirement and no cap on maximum points. This creates a special psychological effect: the fifth set is a sprint, where a hot scoring streak or a few errors can decide the entire match. The first questions I was afraid to ask when I entered the profession – about rules, scoring, tactics – are now the stories I tell the young athletes. Women's volleyball doesn't need anyone to save it; it just needs someone willing to sit down and listen. When I sat down and listened to young Vietnamese athletes talk about their struggles training under difficult conditions, I realized that fair rules are the only thing they can rely on. In a set, no one can buy extra points. No one can ask the referee for favors. Every rally is scored equally – that is the absolute fairness that volleyball provides. There is a counter-intuitive perspective I want to share: many believe that shortening the fifth set to 15 points reduces professional quality. But in reality, this shortening creates more upsets. A weaker team can absolutely win the deciding set if they start well and maintain an impressive serving streak. This explains why women's volleyball always has surprises at major tournaments – not because of poor quality, but because the rule structure creates opportunities for reversals. In a 15-point set, just one strong serve creating a 3-4 point run can completely change the momentum. I also want to mention an aspect few people notice: the similarity between indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. Both use the rally scoring system, with beach volleyball having 21-point sets and a 15-point deciding set. This similarity helps fans easily transition between the two disciplines, creating a unified sports ecosystem. In Vietnam, beach volleyball is also developing, and I believe that understanding the common rules will help both disciplines grow together. The season froze, but voices never freeze. During the COVID-19 pandemic when all tournaments in Japan were canceled, I produced the podcast "Voices from the Empty Stands" to maintain connections with female athletes. I realized that no matter how the rules change, the most important thing remains the people. The Vietnamese women's volleyball athletes I have had the chance to speak with all share the same sentiment: they want to be recognized for their training efforts. And the rally scoring system, with its absolute fairness, is the foundation for them to prove their worth. Media waves will pass. The children who see themselves in them will not. When I see young Vietnamese children playing volleyball on dirt courts and cement courts across provinces, I know that the future of Vietnamese women's volleyball lies in understanding the rules. A team that understands the rules well, exploits rotation rules effectively, deploys the libero wisely, and maintains composure in the fifth set – that will be the winning team. They don't need to be as tall as other Asian opponents; they just need to be smart, disciplined, and resilient. That is the message I want to send to young girls pursuing their volleyball dreams: learn the rules, understand the game, and believe that every rally has its value. From the trembling microphone in 2026 to the podcast during the frozen season – one voice. But not just one voice, but thousands of voices of female athletes growing louder and clearer. Vietnamese women's volleyball is at the threshold of development, and fair rules are their most reliable companion.