Volleyball Stat Definitions Glossary

Common volleyball stat abbreviations used on scoreboards, apps, and stat sheets. Each term links to a clear definition for coaches and statisticians.

K — Kill

A point-ending attack by a player. A kill is awarded when the attacking player's hit lands in-bounds on the opponent's side, or when the opponent makes an error attempting to return the attack. Kills per set (K/S) is the primary measure of offensive output.

E — Attack Error

An attacking attempt that results in a point for the opposing team. Attack errors occur when the ball is hit out of bounds, into the net, or is blocked for a point. Errors factor into hitting percentage and indicate risk in a player's attacking game.

Att (or TA) — Total Attempts

The total number of attack contacts by a player, including kills, errors, and in-play attempts that result in neither. Total attempts is the denominator in the hitting percentage formula: (K - E) / Att.

Pct — Hitting Percentage

The efficiency rating for an attacker, calculated as (Kills - Errors) / Total Attempts. A hitting percentage of .300 or higher is considered strong at the high school and club level. A negative percentage means more errors than kills. How to calculate hitting percentage →

A — Assist

Awarded to the player whose pass or set directly enables a kill. One assist is given per kill — typically credited to the setter. Assists per set (A/S) measures setting productivity. What is an assist in volleyball? →

SA — Service Ace

A serve that results in an immediate point because the receiving team cannot make a playable pass. Aces per set (SA/S) measures serving effectiveness. Serve definition in volleyball →

SE — Service Error

A serve that fails to land in-bounds or is not legally completed (foot fault, net contact). Service errors directly award a point to the opponent and are factored into overall serving efficiency. Serve definition in volleyball →

Dig — Dig

A successful defensive play that keeps the ball in play after an opponent's attack. Digs require the player to receive a hard-driven ball and control it for the next contact. Digs per set (Digs/S) is the primary defensive volume metric.

BS — Block Solo

A block in which a single player deflects the opponent's attack back into their court for a point, without assistance from a teammate. Block solos demonstrate individual net presence.

BA — Block Assist

A block in which two players simultaneously deflect the opponent's attack for a point. Both players receive a block assist. Block assists plus block solos equal total blocks.

BE — Block Error

An error committed during a blocking attempt, such as reaching over the net illegally or touching the net. Block errors result in a point for the opponent.

SP — Sets Played

The total number of sets a player participated in during a match or season. Used as the denominator for per-set averages (e.g., kills per set = K / SP). SP is important context for comparing players who played different amounts of playing time.

TA — Total Attempts

See Att above. TA is the alternate abbreviation for Total Attempts used in some stat tracking systems and apps, including SoloStats 123.

RE — Reception Error

An error on serve receive where the receiving player fails to control the ball, resulting in an immediate point for the serving team. High reception error rates indicate serve receive vulnerability.

Pts — Points

Total points scored by a player through kills, service aces, and block solos/assists. Used in some systems to give a single offensive contribution number.

MP — Matches Played

The number of complete matches a player has participated in. Used alongside SP for season-long statistical context.

This comprehensive glossary defines all volleyball statistics and ratings used in SoloStats. Use this reference to understand stat definitions, calculations, and how they're used in volleyball analytics.