Women's college volleyball has evolved through different scoring eras since its inception as an official NCAA sport in 1981. In all eras, we've seen sets extend past the usual end points.
From 1981-2000, side-out scoring defined the sport, where only the serving team could score points and each set went to 15. The rally scoring era followed from 2001-2007, introducing a system where either team could score on any rally, with sets played to 30. The modern rally scoring era that you see in today's volleyball was adopted in 2008, featuring sets played to 25 points.
Here are some of the highest-scoring women's volleyball matches in the current rally scoring era (25-point scoring format).
| Teams | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Washington vs. Washington State | 46-44 | Sept. 24, 2021 |
| Santa Clara vs. Saint Mary's | 46-44 | Nov. 21, 2017 |
| Houston Christian vs. Northern Colorado | 45-43 | Sept. 3, 2016 |
| Manhattan vs. Rider | 45-43 | Oct. 23, 2009 |
| The Citadel vs. Western Carolina | 43-41 | Sept. 25, 2024 |
| South Alabama vs. Northwestern State | 43-41 | Sept. 6, 2019 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Liberty | 43-41 | Aug. 25, 2018 |
| Austin Peay vs. Murray State | 43-41 | Oct. 8, 2011 |
T1. Washington vs. Washington State, 46-44
Tying for the highest-recorded set of the modern rally scoring era, Washington took set four over the Cougars, 46-44, on Sept. 26, 2021. The Huskies' set win pushed the match to the distance. But Washington State responded in set five, clinching the 3-2 upset victory over the No. 6 Huskies. That long set between the rivals featured a combined 51 kills and 83 digs with 13 lead changes and 30 ties.
The longest,(and greatest???) set in Husky Volleyball history, is won by WASHINGTON‼️‼️
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) September 26, 2021
FORTY-SIX TO FORTY-FOUR
We have another set to play!!
📺 Pac-12 Networks#PointHuskies x #BoeingAppleCupSeries @ncaavb pic.twitter.com/W3NNRgyB2l
T1. Santa Clara vs. Saint Mary's, 46-44
The Santa Clara vs. Saint Mary's marathon of a set on Nov. 21, 2017 held the crown for the highest-scoring set until 2021, when Washington vs. Washington State etched their names into the record books. The Gaels outlasted Santa Clara in the third set with the 46-44 win, but ultimately fell in the five-setter to the Broncos.
T3. Houston Christian vs. Northern Colorado, 45-43
Houston Christian and Northern Colorado opened up scoring on Sep. 3, 2016 with a 45-43 set one. The Huskies claimed the lengthy victory in the first before Northern Colorado took the next three sets, sealing the comeback win.
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T3. Manhattan vs. Rider, 45-43
Manhattan clinched the 45-43 set one victory over Rider on Oct. 23, 2009 en route to its sweep over the Broncs. The matchup between the two teams held the record for the highest-scoring set for nearly seven years, while Manhattan still tops the NCAA record books for the most total points scored in a three-set match with 96 points.
T5. The Citadel vs. Western Carolina, 43-41
The most recent set near the top of the record book comes from The Citadel vs. Western Carolina contest on Sep. 25, 2024. The Citadel survived the fourth set, 43-41, and pushed the match to five before the Catamounts earned the win in the fifth.
Three other matches tie for fifth in the NCAA record books. South Alabama vs. Northwestern State (Sept. 6, 2019), Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Liberty (Aug. 25, 2018) and Austin Peay vs. Murray State (Oct. 8, 2011) all share a 43-41 set.
Rally scoring, 30-point era (2001-2007)
| Teams | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech vs. Minnesota | 48-46 | Dec. 10, 2004 |
| San Jose State vs. Fresno State | 46-44 | Nov. 3, 2001 |
| Georgia vs. Alabama | 45-43 | Nov. 10, 2002 |
| Northern Illinois vs. Mississippi State | 45-43 | Sept. 14, 2002 |
| Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville State | 44-42 | Sept. 16, 2005 |
The Georgia Tech and Minnesota meeting in the 2004 NCAA regional semifinals resulted in a 48-46 fourth set won by the Yellow Jackets. The Golden Gophers powered ahead in the fifth, however, eventually going all the way to the championship final.
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Side-out scoring, 15-point era (1981-2000)
| Teams | Scores | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Navy vs. Loyola Maryland | 28-26 | Nov. 7, 2000 |
| Oregon State vs. Kentucky | 25-23 | Sept. 3, 1994 |
| San Jose State vs. Nevada | 25-23 | Oct. 16, 1993 |
| Northern Illinois vs. Akron | 24-22 | Sept. 22, 2000 |
| BYU vs. Hawaii | 24-22 | Nov. 28, 1998 |
| North Carolina vs. Duke | 24-22 | Oct. 3, 1997 |
| Colorado vs. Ball State | 24-22 | Sept. 4, 1995 |
| Utah vs. Oklahoma | 24-22 | Dec. 4, 1993 |
| Marquette vs. Northern Illinois | 24-22 | Nov. 7, 1989 |
| Oregon vs. Portland State | 24-22 | Nov. 20, 1984 |
In the decisive fifth set of the Navy vs. Loyola Maryland match on Nov. 7, 2000, the Midshipmen held seven match points to the Greyhounds' five before securing the 28-26 win. The previous record in the side out scoring era was set six years before by Oregon State in its 25-23 set win over Kentucky.
