How Long Do College Volleyball Games Last? (Find Out The Duration Of The College Volleyball Games!)

Last Updated on October 24, 2023 by Alex PT

College volleyball games typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of sets played. College volleyball matches are played best of five sets, so if the match goes to five sets, it will take longer than a match that goes to three sets.

How Long Is A Volleyball Game For Youth Volleyball And Junior High School?

Normally, the youth and junior high school teams play a shortened match length. A “best of three” format is typically used for junior high school games, which means that the game ends when a team manages to win two games out of three.  

How Long Is A College Volleyball Game?

  1. Duration of a Set:
    Each set in a volleyball match lasts until one team reaches 25 points. However, the winning team must win by at least a 2-point lead. If the game reaches a 24-24 tie, the game continues until one team has a two-point lead.
  2. Number of Sets in a Match:
    A college volleyball match is typically played in a best-of-five format. This means that the first team to win three sets wins the match. Therefore, a volleyball match can last anywhere from three to five sets.
  3. Time Duration per Set:
    On average, a set can last around 20 to 30 minutes. Depending on the intensity of the play, however, the duration can stretch or shrink.
  4. Breaks between Sets:
    In official college volleyball matches, there is typically a three-minute break between sets. There is an extended 10-minute break after the second set.
  5. Total Duration of a Match:
    When considering all the factors (set duration, breaks between sets, and the number of sets), a college volleyball match can last anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
  6. Factors Affecting Match Duration:
    It’s important to remember that many factors can affect the duration of a volleyball match. These can include the number of tied scores, timeouts, substitutions, injuries, and any disputes that need to be resolved.
  7. The Deciding Set:
    If the match reaches a tie after four sets (2-2), the deciding fifth set, also known as a “tie-breaker,” is played up to only 15 points. However, the same rule applies—a team must win by a 2-point margin. This set typically takes less time.

Understanding the above aspects is crucial for managing expectations as a spectator or player in a volleyball match. Knowing the possible duration can help plan accordingly and enhance the overall experience of the game.

Mean Duration
Set20-30 minutes
Breaks3-10 minutes
Match1.5-2.5 hours

How Many Sets Are In A College Volleyball Game?

In college volleyball, including NCAA matches, a standard game consists of the best-of-five sets. The first team to win three sets wins the match. Each set is played to 25 points (rally scoring), but a team must win by at least 2 points. If the match reaches a fifth set (deciding set), it is typically played to 15 points. In some cases, tie-breakers might be played to 15 points, or other variations may apply, depending on the specific league or competition rules. The team that wins the majority of these sets is declared the winner of the match.

How Long Does A 7th-Grade Volleyball Game Last?

One thing about the game of volleyball is that each of its levels has some factors that lengthen or shorten the duration of a match. As we said earlier, most professional volleyball games last between 60 and 90 minutes. So, the duration of a typical 7th-grade single volleyball game should be between 20-25 minutes. 

Is Volleyball Best 2 Out Of 3?

In most volleyball games, the first time to win the best 2-out-of-3 sets wins the game. With typical rally scoring, the first two sets will be played to 25 points, and one team must win by two. 

When Did Volleyball Rules Change?

The old rules of the game were published in the Handbook of the Athletic League of the YMCA between 1897 and 1915. A separate new book called the Official Volleyball Rules was published by the American Sports in 1916 through Publishing Company. It was in 1916 the game point of this sport was reduced from 21 to 15 points.

Conclusion – Rounding Up!

The average timing of a college volleyball game is between sixty and ninety minutes, meaning that each game last twenty minutes. We’ve come to the end of this informative article. We hope you were able to find resources in your quest to know how long a college volleyball game lasts. Please do not hesitate to contact us for questions or comments. Thanks! 

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