Ace
A serve that scores the point by itself. The ball lands in and nobody touches it, or the other team passes it so far off the court that nobody can keep the rally going. People sometimes nickname a team's best player the ace. On the stat sheet, the word means the serve.
Example
The server jumps and the ball lands in the back-left corner, between two passers. Neither one gets an arm on it. That serve is an ace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an ace in volleyball?
The serve has to win the rally on its own. That includes a ball that hits the floor untouched, and a pass that flies out of bounds or cannot be played. If the other team passes the ball up and then makes a mistake later, the server does not get an ace.
Can ace refer to a player instead of a serve?
Sometimes, as a nickname for the player a team counts on to score. It is not a position, and it is not a stat. When a coach says ace in a timeout, they almost always mean the serve.