If you're a volleyball parent, you've probably sat through countless matches trying to figure out what all those numbers mean. Your daughter just had 12 kills—is that good? Your son's hitting percentage was .285—should you be celebrating or concerned? And what on earth is a "side out percentage"? Don't worry. You're not alone. Volleyball statistics can feel like a foreign language, especially if you didn't grow up playing the sport. But here's the thing: understanding these numbers can help you support your athlete better, celebrate their real accomplishments, and have more meaningful conversations about their development. Let's break down the key stats you'll see and what they actually mean for your player.
Why Stats Matter for Your Athlete
Before we dive into the numbers, let's talk about why this matters to you as a parent. Statistics give you objective insight into your child's performance and growth. They help you:
- Celebrate the right things - Sometimes the flashy plays aren't the most valuable contributions. Stats help you recognize when your kid had a great game, even if it wasn't obvious from the stands.
- Track real improvement - "You're getting better!" means more when you can point to concrete evidence. Stats show progress over weeks and months.
- Have informed conversations - When your athlete comes off the court frustrated or excited, you can ask specific questions and understand what really happened.
- Support their goals - If your daughter wants to play in college, you need to know what numbers college scouts look for. If your son just wants to earn more playing time, stats show where to focus practice efforts.
The Essential Stats Every Parent Should Know
Kills (and Kill Attempts)
What it is: A kill is when your player attacks the ball and it results in an immediate point—either it hits the floor untouched, or the other team can't return it. What's good: This depends on position and level of play, but here are rough benchmarks:
- Youth/JV: 5-8 kills per set is solid
- Varsity: 8-12 kills per set is good for hitters
- Club/High level: 12+ kills per set
What to watch for: Don't just count kills. Look at kill attempts too. If your player has 15 kills but 40 attempts, that's different from 15 kills on 20 attempts. That's where hitting percentage comes in...
Hitting Percentage
What it is: This is the most important offensive stat. It measures efficiency, not just volume. The formula is: (Kills - Errors) ÷ Total Attempts. What's good:
- .000 to .150 - Struggling or learning
- .150 to .250 - Average/developing
- .250 to .350 - Good/solid contributor
- .350+ - Excellent/elite
What to watch for: A player with 8 kills and a .300 hitting percentage had a better offensive game than a player with 15 kills and a .150 hitting percentage. The first player was efficient; the second player got more opportunities but made more mistakes. Parent tip: This is where VBallStat.com's hitting percentage calculator comes in handy. You can quickly calculate this during or after matches to see how your player really performed.
Aces and Service Errors
What it is: An ace is a serve that results in an immediate point (untouched or shanked). A service error is when the serve doesn't make it over the net or lands out of bounds. What's good:
- Aces: 1-3 per set is great
- Service errors: Less than 2 per set is the goal
- Ace-to-error ratio: Ideally 1:1 or better
What to watch for: Some coaches encourage aggressive serving, which means more errors but also more aces. Others prioritize consistency. Know your coach's philosophy before judging your player's numbers.
Digs
What it is: A dig is when a player successfully receives an attacked ball and keeps it in play. What's good:
- Liberos/Defensive specialists: 15-25+ digs per match
- Back row players: 8-15 digs per match
- Front row hitters: 3-8 digs per match
What to watch for: A high dig number usually means two things: (1) your player is in the right position and working hard, and (2) the other team is attacking a lot (which could mean your team is struggling to score).
Blocks
What it is: When a front-row player deflects an opponent's attack at the net, preventing it from crossing or sending it back for a point. What's good:
- Middle blockers: 3-6 blocks per match
- Outside/Right side hitters: 1-3 blocks per match
What to watch for: Block assists (touching the ball with a teammate) count differently than solo blocks. Some stats count each touch, others count the total blocking points. Make sure you know which system is being used.
Assists
What it is: When a setter passes the ball to a teammate who then gets a kill, that's an assist. What's good:
- Setters: 20-40+ assists per match (depending on offensive system)
What to watch for: This stat really only applies to setters. A high assist number means the setter is distributing well and the offense is scoring.
How to Use Stats to Support Your Athlete
Now that you understand the numbers, here's how to use them:
1. Focus on Trends, Not Single Games
One bad match doesn't define your player. Look at stats over several weeks. Is the hitting percentage climbing? Are errors decreasing? That's real growth.
2. Celebrate Effort Stats
Digs, great passes, and serving tough (even with some errors) show hustle and heart. Recognize these contributions, not just the highlight-reel kills.
3. Ask Better Questions After Matches
Instead of "Did you play well?", try:
- "I saw you had some great digs in the second set—what were you reading?"
- "Your hitting percentage looked strong today. What felt different?"
- "I noticed you served really aggressively. What was the game plan?"
4. Help Them Set Goals
Work with your athlete to set stat-based goals:
- "I want to hit .250 by the end of the season"
- "I want to average 10 digs per match"
- "I want my ace-to-error ratio to be positive"
Then track progress together using a tool like VBallStat.com.
5. Don't Over-Coach
You're the parent, not the coach. Use stats to understand and support, not to critique or second-guess coaching decisions. Trust the process.
The Truth About Stats and College Recruiting
If your athlete has aspirations to play in college, here's what you need to know: College coaches DO look at stats, but they consider them in context:
- Position matters: A .300 hitting percentage is great for an outside hitter but just okay for a middle blocker.
- Competition level matters: Dominating stats at a lower level don't always translate.
- Consistency matters: They want to see sustained performance over time, not just peak games.
More importantly, coaches also evaluate:
- Athleticism and coachability
- Team chemistry and attitude
- Academic performance
- Work ethic and character
Stats open the door, but they're not the whole picture.
Making Stat Tracking Easy
Let's be honest: tracking volleyball stats manually is tedious. You're trying to watch the game, cheer for your kid, and somehow write down every kill, error, and dig? It's overwhelming. That's exactly why tools like VBallStat.com exist. You can:
- Track stats in real-time during matches
- See automatic calculations (hitting percentage, efficiency, etc.)
- View season-long trends and progress
- Share stats with your athlete so they can see their growth
- Keep historical records for recruiting or personal milestones
It's designed for parents and coaches who want to support their athletes without needing a degree in sports analytics.
The Bottom Line
Understanding volleyball statistics doesn't require a coaching certification or years of playing experience. It just requires curiosity and a willingness to learn. When you know what the numbers mean, you become a better supporter. You celebrate the right moments. You have more meaningful conversations. You help your athlete set real goals and track real progress. And most importantly? You show your player that you're invested—not just in their wins and losses, but in their growth as an athlete. So next time you're sitting in the bleachers, pull up those stats. You might be surprised by what you discover about your athlete's game.
Want to track your athlete's volleyball stats easily? VBallStat.com makes it simple for parents to log stats during matches and see exactly how their player is improving throughout the season. Try it free today.