What is the speed of a volleyball spike?

The average speed of a volleyball spike in men's and women's competitive play ranges from 50 to 70 miles per hour. The fastest speed ever recorded is 82 mph, set by Bulgarian professional Matey Kaziyski.

According to Volleyball Skills and Drills, volleyball spikes are perfected from a two-, three- or four-step approach, with the later generally offering the greatest speed. The quality of the set the "spiking player" receives and the timing of the contact is very important. Spikes are considerably faster when done from a player's "strong" side. The trajectory of the spike on the opponents side of the net and the alignment of the player's body when spiking the ball also play key roles.