Assist
The pass, set, or dig that sets up a kill. Statisticians credit the second-to-last touch before the ball scores, so on a classic pass-set-kill, the dig or pass might matter for film, but the set almost always shows up in the box as the volleyball assist. In a 5-1, your setter should live at the top of the team assist column; that number is a blunt read on how often you are getting hitters a hittable ball in-system.
Example
The libero makes a one-arm dig; the setter squares and pushes a quick to the middle; the quick pounds the floor. The box score gives the setter the assist on the kill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are assists counted in volleyball?
The player who last touches the ball before the killer usually gets the assist, which is most often the setter. If a libero digs cold to the antenna and the setter hammers a tight fix-set for a kill, the setter still takes the stat credit, not the libero.
How many assists per set is good for a setter?
In NCAA box scores, 10 to 12 assists per set in a 5-1 means you are feeding a fast offense in rhythm. If your hitters are efficient, the number can climb past 12; if you are out of system all night, it can dip even when you played well.