Assist
The last touch by a teammate before a kill. Almost every assist is a set. If the hitter does not score, nobody gets an assist, even if the set was perfect. The passer and the digger do not get one either. In a 5-1, one setter takes every second ball, so their assist total shows how often the pass was good and the hitters scored.
Example
The libero digs the ball, the setter puts up a quick ball to the middle, and the middle hitter puts it away. The setter gets the assist. The libero gets a dig. If the hitter hits it out, there is no assist, because there was no kill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are assists counted in volleyball?
The player who touches the ball last before the attacker scores gets the assist. That is almost always the setter. The passer or digger can make a great play and still not get the assist.
What is the difference between an assist and a set?
A set is the touch that puts the ball up for a hitter. An assist is the stat for a set that leads straight to a kill. Every assist is a set. Plenty of sets are not assists, because the attack did not score.
How many assists per set is good for a setter?
In college, a setter in a 5-1 often finishes around 10 to 12 assists per set when the passes are on target and the hitters are scoring. The number drops when the team is chasing bad passes all night.