9/14/25
New Jersey high school volleyball continues to grapple with a significant format decision that affects players, coaches, officials, and families across the state. After being introduced as an option last season, the best-of-5 sets format remains available for high school volleyball matches, yet adoption has been minimal. With less than 5% of games utilizing the extended format in its first year, the volleyball community finds itself divided on whether this change represents progress or presents unnecessary challenges.
The debate centers on fundamental questions about preparation, competition quality, and practical logistics. As New Jersey coaches and athletic directors evaluate their options for the current season, both sides present compelling arguments that deserve careful consideration.
The Case for Best-of-5 Sets
College Preparation Advantage
The strongest argument for adopting best-of-5 sets lies in college preparation. NCAA volleyball matches are played in a best-of-five format, creating a significant transition challenge for high school players entering collegiate programs. College volleyball matches typically last 90 minutes to 2 hours and require greater stamina and skill, making the high school experience in best-of-3 format inadequate preparation for this intensity.
Players who experience only best-of-3 matches throughout high school face a steep learning curve when confronted with the physical and mental demands of five-set college matches. The endurance, focus, and strategic adjustments required in longer matches are skills that cannot be fully developed in shorter formats. Imagine playing just 5 innings in high school baseball or having an ice hockey match in high school be just 2 periods long?
I am one of the coaches who is 100% in favor of best of 5. We switched to rally in 2004 and that season we were best of 5. We (NJ) did it for one year & then it was switched to best of 3…..several coaches around the state petitioned for us to go back to best of 5. In a 3 yr span we went from best of 3, sideout scoring in a best of 3 format, to best of 5 rally, to best of 3 rally. So kids in 05 were playing LESS, a lot less,volleyball than the kids in 03. Anyway, NJSIAA said that we would have to wait 2 yrs before a discussion for best of 5 could be heard. Even though we only did 1 yr of best of 5 before they pulled the plug on it…..since then a few of us fought the fight but NJSIAA sent the questionnaire to every school in the state whether they had volleyball or not. Many AD’s who had no dog in the fight were persuaded to vote against it & best of 5 just died on the vine. So, I’m thrilled to see that the current administration is researching & listening and starting to add it back in. I don’t know if the “your choice for regular season but definite for postseason ” is the best way to go but its at least a start to get us to best of 5. We are one of the only states that plays best of 3. Our kids don’t get as many reps as other states. Best of 5 let’s me get more kids into varsity matches. When we play someone who I feel is very competitive with us, the top line is going to see all the playing time. But if we play a team that it appears we are comfortably better than or vice versa then there’s a chance to get some more kids some more varsity experience. What other varsity high school sport finishes in less than 45 minutes? Its ridiculous at times…..in most situations you are looking at an additional 20 – 25 minutes. If a match does go 5 it was probably very exciting for the players and the fans and at most its going to last 90 – 100 minutes. I just think they’re are a lot more checks in the Pros column as opposed to the Cons column. Do the right thing by the athletes. Chris Sheppard – Head Coach Williamstown
True Competitive Measurement
Playing a match to the best of 5 sets provides a better representation of who really is the best team. Best-of-3 matches can be decided by early momentum, serving runs, or temporary lapses in concentration. The extended format allows teams to make adjustments, overcome slow starts, and demonstrate their true depth and resilience.
Volleyball is a sport where teams can go on streaks and ride momentum for long stretches, but best-of-5 format provides multiple opportunities for momentum shifts and comebacks that better reflect actual team strength. This format rewards teams that have developed depth in their roster and sophisticated strategic approaches.
“I understand all the pros and cons of going 3 out of 5 in high school so I will just give my opinion as a Collegiate coach and as a volleyball fan. As a College coach, I see how difficult the transition is from players used to 2 out of 3. It’s a completely different mental and physical challenge. Once a team goes up 2-1 in high school, the match is over. In college, there is still so much of the match left to play. As a fan, I always think about how many reverse sweeps happen in college and the professional level. In high school, the match is over, in college, it is possible the match has just begun. Coming back to win 3 sets in a row after being down 0-2 is the best feeling our sport has to offer.” Carlo Edra – NJCU Head Coach
Enhanced Development Opportunities
Longer matches provide more playing time for developing players, particularly those who might not see significant action in shorter formats. Best-of-5 matches allow coaches to make more strategic substitutions, develop bench players, and implement more complex tactical adjustments throughout the match.
The format also creates more opportunities for players to work through adversity, learn from mistakes within the same match, and develop the mental toughness required at higher levels of competition.
The Case Against Best-of-5 Sets
Scheduling and Facility Constraints
Unless facilities have separate gyms where multiple games can be played simultaneously, leagues and coaches usually try not to schedule varsity and junior varsity matches together. Best-of-5 matches can last up to 150 minutes, creating significant scheduling challenges for schools with limited gym space and multiple teams.
The extended time commitment affects not just varsity programs but creates cascading effects on JV and freshman schedules. Schools often share facilities between multiple sports, and longer volleyball matches can disrupt basketball practice, wrestling meets, or other activities that depend on gym access.
Let me say first, I am in favor of 3/5. I have some concerns looking at the big picture and not just my own program. Some schools only have one gym, so the solution for that would be to send the JV and freshman to the opposing school, but we currently don’t have close to the number of officials in NJ for that. Second, last year as an option to play best out of 5, only 2% of the girls matches were 3/5, and only 3% of the boys. I wonder why most coaches chose to not play 3/5 when they have the option to do so? Also, as the GMC VB chair, my AD and I work closely to improve high school volleyball. At the GMC meetings the Athletic Directors in the GMC consistently vote down anything that requires more money for volleyball. So the GMC voted down playing the GMC tournament best of 5. Also none of the county tournaments last year, boys or girls, were best of 5 for the whole tournament. Lastly, I strongly disagree with the NJSIAA having best of 5 for the state tournament this year. If they are going to force us to play best of 5, they should force the schools and AD’s to play best of 5 during the season. Andrew Hopman – Old Bridge Head Coach
Increased Financial Burden
Longer matches require officials for extended periods, directly increasing costs for schools and athletic programs. With many programs already operating on tight budgets, the additional expense of paying referees for potentially 2.5-hour matches rather than 90-minute contests represents a significant financial consideration.
Schools must also consider additional costs for facility usage, including utilities, custodial services, and security for extended evening events. These expenses may disproportionately impact smaller schools or programs with limited resources.
Player Welfare and Academic Concerns
High school matches using best-of-3 format typically range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes, allowing student-athletes to balance sports participation with academic responsibilities, family obligations, and adequate rest. Extended matches that can approach three hours create challenges for homework completion, family time, and proper sleep schedules.
Late-finishing matches also impact transportation arrangements for families and team travel, particularly for away games. Student-athletes who rely on team or family transportation may face significantly delayed return times that affect their ability to prepare for the next school day.
Limited Adoption Suggests Practical Problems
The fact that less than 5% of games utilized the best-of-5 format in its first year indicates that most programs have evaluated the option and found it impractical for their specific circumstances. This low adoption rate suggests that the theoretical benefits may not outweigh the real-world challenges faced by most schools.
Programs that attempted the longer format may have discovered that the additional time commitment creates more problems than benefits, leading them to return to the traditional best-of-3 approach.
Finding Middle Ground
Some volleyball advocates suggest compromise solutions that could address both sides’ concerns. These might include using best-of-5 format selectively for playoff matches, rivalry games, or special tournaments while maintaining best-of-3 for regular season play. Others propose modified timing rules or shortened sets that could provide extended play without the full time commitment.
The conversation also raises questions about whether the focus should be on match format or other aspects of player development, such as club volleyball participation, individual skill training, or strength and conditioning programs that better prepare athletes for collegiate competition.
What do you think? Should New Jersey high school volleyball embrace the best-of-5 format to better prepare players for college competition, or do the practical challenges make best-of-3 the more sensible choice for high school programs?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and participate in our poll to see where the volleyball community stands on this important issue.
Some Comments Received:
“To get more school districts to start programs, keep the best of 3. Budgets are very tight right now and will get worse next year. It’s better if districts put that money toward a freshmen team and additional courts. Five years from now when schools are hooked, move to best of 5. Tournaments are actually better for development or even tri matches. Wear and tear on athletes in season is real. Travel in NJ is a problem including buses.” – Kevin Bobetich
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