Volleyball Advisory Committee

Minutes
December 3, 2002 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida


Paul McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The following committee members were in attendance: Elise Bush, Bolles School (Jacksonville), Charmaine Breuning, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando), Debbie Rawlins, DeLand High School, Paul McAdoo, Tampa Prep, Tammy Wilsey, Freedom High School (Tampa), Edwin “Rob” Sweeten, Boca Raton High School, Alex Plaza, Hialeah Miami Lakes High School. Ronald L. Allen, Associate Commissioner and Paul K. McLaughlin, Director of Athletics, also attended the meeting.

1. Mr. McLaughlin welcomed the committee members to the FHSAA Office. He explained the procedure for completing the expense vouchers.

2. Mr. McLaughlin gave the committee members a tour of the Robert W. Hughes Building.

3. Mr. McLaughlin gave the committee members an overview of the purpose of the meeting.

4. Each committee member introduced himself or herself.

5. Elise Bush, Bolles School, was selected chairman by a 5-2 vote. (Motion McAdoo, Second Rawlins)

6. General comments regarding the 2002 FHSAA Volleyball Manual were very positive. The new size of the manual is easier to carry and work with. It was suggested to add a map of the local area showing the FHSAA Office on the inside last white page for those coaches attempting to locate the FHSAA Office.

7. The 2002 state volleyball tournament was discussed. The coaches on the committee reviewed comments received from coaches of participating teams about the inaugural tournament at The Lakeland Center. The FHSAA staff was commended for the many improvements to the 2002 tournament as compared to previous sites. Especially mentioned were the availability of a practice area, individual team dressing rooms, and the ease of access to The Lakeland Center when a participating team was there to watch another session. It was noted that the concrete surface of the warm-up courts was not ideal and could pose a safety concern. It was suggested that the FHSAA pursue the rental of Sport Court Flooring for the two warm-up courts. Several committee members thought that the FHSAA should have a designated courtside seating area for college coaches who are not permitted by NCAA rule to talk with perspective recruits or parents.

8. The National Federation volleyball rules were discussed. There was unanimous agreement not to change any of the “by state association adoption” rules. The potential implementation of rally scoring was discussed at length. The committee members agreed by a 5-2 vote to support the addition of rally scoring in Florida should it be a rule “by state association adoption”. Matches would be a best 3 of 5 games for varsity teams and a best 2 of 3 games for sub-varsity teams. All games would be played to 25 points with a 5th game, if necessary, played to 15 points. In all games, the winning team must win by two points. The committee agreed unanimously that rally scoring makes the game more spectator friendly and that volleyball is a more well rounded game when scoring is done by both offense and defense.

9. Detailed information regarding the following recommendations can be found on the attachments to these minutes.

2001 Recommendation #1: It was moved by Ms. Bush seconded by Mr. McAdoo and carried unanimously to establish a standard pre-match protocol during the state series. The recommended protocol is the following.
1) 25-minute pre-match warm-up.
2) All players line-up on the end line.
3) National anthem and presentation of colors, first match of session
4) All players lined up on end line. Each player will be introduced. Step forward when name is called. Officials introduced.
5) Officials whistle for the team handshake.
6) Coach addresses team at bench area for 1 minute.
7) Starters go to the court, non-starters stay on the bench.
8) Match begins.

2001 Recommendation #2: It was moved by Ms. Bush seconded by Ms. Rawlins and carried unanimously to establish a pre-“Pre-Match Warm-up Period.”

2002 Recommendation #1: It was moved by Mr. Sweeten seconded by Ms. Rawlins and carried unanimously to change 6.001 to read, “All invitational tournaments involving three 3 four (4) or more schools….”
It was moved by Ms. Bush seconded by Mr. Sweeten and carried unanimously to fast track this recommendation.

10. Mr. McLaughlin stated that there were four volleyball coaches ejected this past season. The disappointing fact is that three of the four coaches were ejected for gross unsportsmanlike conduct. NO PLAYERS were ejected in 2002.

11. Discussion was also held on the following items:
a) Officials associations who are not following the FHSAA Officials Guidebook. Two specific instances were discussed; 1) officials being assigned to a particular school more times than allowed in a season and 2) officials calling matches for schools where there is an existing “conflict of interest.”
b) The FHSAA should offer an officials volleyball test in the spring to certify those officials for varsity matches who want to officiate boys volleyball.

12. In conclusion, Paul McLaughlin thanked out-going committee members Elise Bush, Deb Rawlins, Paul McAdoo, and Alex Plaza for their years of service on the committee. He reminded the committee members that the declaration of candidacy forms would be available on the web site in May and asked the committee members to urge other coaches to be a part of the committee.

13. Ms. Bush adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.