In the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament, the challenge system that has been in tact for the 2016 season has not been in use. The system will be used at the final four and championship matches in Columbus, Ohio.
The 2015 season is the first time the challenge system was tested in the Big Ten and Big 12. After the season ended the coaches were in favor of the challenge system becoming a permanent rule. The 2016 season is the first time that a school was allowed to use the review system.
The protocol for the proposed rules change is as follows:
• Each team will have three challenges per match. Challenges are not tied to timeouts.
• Only the team that lost the rally will be able to challenge. If the call is reversed, the team that lost the review will be able to challenge another aspect of the point. Each team will be limited to one challenge per rally.
• A coach will need to make the challenge before the referee extends his arm for service to begin the next point.
• There must be indisputable video evidence for the official to change the original call. Coaches will be allowed to challenge the following plays:
• Net faults: players contacting the net/antenna.
• Player touching the ball: four hits/blocker/defensive player.
• Whether a ball was in or out (this includes pancakes and whether the ball touched the antenna).
• Service foot faults.
Following review challenges, referees will decide whether to confirm the call, reverse the call, replay the point based on video evidence or determine that the video review was inconclusive, in which case the original call will stand.
For the 2017 NCAA Division I championship, the challenge system will be used in the Sweet Sixteen match ups, as well.
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