PIAA Volleyball Facts

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sanctions 20 sports each season that run the gamut of high school athletics. However, it is volleyball that is one of the fastest growing as teens from across the Keystone State battle it out on the hardwoods.

  1. History

    • Boys' volleyball started in 1936 and girls' volleyball became a sanctioned sport in 1974.

    Seasons

    • The boys play a spring season that starts in March and ends with the state championships in May. The girls' season starts in August and ends in November.

    Classifications

    • The 202 boys' teams play in two classifications, which are the groupings of school by size that determine playoffs. The 580 girls' teams play in three classifications.

    Rules

    • PIAA teams follow the standard volleyball rules used by other states regarding number of players, scoring and substitutions. Teams advance in the playoffs through a district-wide, then district-against district series of tournaments.

    Championship sites

    • The boys' and girls' state championships change locations every three years based on bids from schools and cities across the state. Many times the championships are held at colleges such as Penn State.

    Hall of Fame

    • The Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association annually inducts PIAA coaches, players and officials into a Hall of Fame.