The Relationship between NCAA Volleyball Statistics and Team Performance in Women’s Intercollegiate Volleyball

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine relationships among NCAA statistical categories and the success of women's intercollegiate volleyball teams. The investigator used 1994 NCAA box score statistics collected by the NCAA statistics department. These data were entered into a computer and analyzed using sub-programs from SPSSX. Means and standard deviations for each match statistic by match record and divisional alignment were run along with correlational coefficients for all statistics and indices of success (points per game, game record, and match record). Multiple regression equations were run to predict success as defined by points per game. Attack percentage was found to be the most important correlate of team success regardless of divisional alignment. Blocking was also important for Division I and II teams, but serving was more critical to Division III success. The resultant regression equations were able to account for 64-88 percent of the variance in predicting team success across the three divisions. The results demonstrated that success can be predicted to some extent in women's intercollegiate volleyball using NCAA match statistics, but prediction accuracy might be improved by including statistics currently missing from NCAA box scores (eg., passing accuracy).