Who is the best relief server?
In volleyball, some players come off the bench and are immediately asked to make an impact with a single serve.
Who actually produced numbers in that role? We compiled serving results only from 2025-26 men's SV League matches in which players started on the bench and later entered.
Rui Takahashi — 135 serves, 10 aces
Rui Takahashi of Suntory Sunbirds Osaka came off the bench in 36 matches and played 88 sets, serving 135 times.
He recorded 10 aces (7.4%), 10 service errors and a serve effectiveness of 13.0%. The volume is striking: he was repeatedly entrusted with the serve throughout the season.
Yuto Kai — 13.4% effectiveness from the bench
Yuto Kai of Osaka Bluteon entered from the bench in 14 matches and played 43 sets.
He served 67 times with four aces (6.0%). His serve effectiveness was 13.4% when counting only matches he began on the bench.
Daniel at 220 cm — 104 serves, 8 aces
Daniel Martinez Campos of Hiroshima Thunders came off the bench in 36 matches and played 106 sets.
He served 104 times with eight aces (7.7%), 19 errors and an 11.8% serve effectiveness. His numbers show both the rewards and risks of aggressive serving.
Naoto Akima — 82 serves, 12.5% effectiveness
Naoto Akima of Nippon Steel Sakai Blazers came off the bench in 19 matches and played 57 sets.
He served 82 times with four aces (4.9%), 13 errors and 38 effective serves, producing a 12.5% serve effectiveness.
Four different profiles
Rui Takahashi: 135 serves / 10 aces / 10 errors / 13.0% Yuto Kai: 67 / 4 / 15 / 13.4% Daniel Martinez Campos: 104 / 8 / 19 / 11.8% Naoto Akima: 82 / 4 / 13 / 12.5%
Takahashi stands out for volume and double-digit aces; Kai for 13.4% effectiveness; Daniel for eight aces from 104 serves; and Akima for 12.5% effectiveness across 82 serves.
Players entrusted with one serve
Relief serving cannot be measured by aces alone. A serve that disrupts reception can restrict the next attack, while aggressive serving also brings error risk.
There is no single number that can decide the “best relief server.” That is exactly why the numbers behind each serve from the bench are so interesting.