Inter-team variability in high-level women’s volleyball from the perspective of Social Network Analysis: an analysis in critical game scenarios

The present study analysed inter-team variability in critical game scenarios in high-level women’s volleyball, using Social Network Analysis. Ten matches of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League 2019 Finals (Brazil, USA, Poland, Italy, Turkey and China) were analysed considering all game complexes, with 622 plays. Six independent eigenvector centrality networks were created, with 668 nodes and 3724 edges. Results: (a) there were differences between the two best-ranked teams and the others in setting conditions and in the overall game patterns, that is, the 1st- and 2nd-ranked teams had better setting conditions than the non-finalists; (b) the game patterns were also different between the two best teams, with the highest levels of transition and the jump-float serve being presented by the United States, while Brazil exhibited high aggressiveness in the float-jump serve and strong attacks; (c) most teams, in ideal setting conditions, played quickly and using strong attacks; and (d) there were no differences in blocking patterns of the teams, and double block predominated. The main conclusions were: (a) within the same competitive level, there were differences in the game patterns of the teams, even between the two best-ranked teams; (b) possibly, the teams were modelled following with their players’ characteristics.