Volleyball Hair Accessories: Star Clips, TIY Hair Ties, Scrunchies & NCAA Rules
From Nebraska’s Harper Murray at the Bob Devaney Sports Center to club courts across the country, court hair gear in women’s volleyball is half personal signature and half engineering problem. A volleyball hairstyle has to survive 90+ vertical jumps, violent head turns while tracking blocks, and chest-first dives across a hardwood floor—without a single strand falling into the player’s eyes or a hard clip cutting their scalp.
Here is a breakdown of the exact hair accessories worn across Division I and junior club volleyball right now, why referees allow flat star snap clips and scrunchies while banning claw clips, and where to buy every piece.
1. Star Snap Hair Clips (The Signature College Volleyball Look)
Over the past two seasons, five-point metallic and matte star snap clips have become the most recognizable on-court hair accessory in college volleyball. Players pin three to six star clips in a clean line along their temples or above a braid.
Why Players Love Star Snap Clips
- Flush, dive-safe profile: Unlike claw clips or pronged barrettes, stamped metal snap clips bend flat against the contour of the skull. When a player rolls over their shoulder after a dig, nothing digs into their head.
- Zero slip on sweaty baby hairs: Hairspray and styling gel break down once a player sweats in set two. Snap clips mechanically lock down temple flyaways through five sets.
- Court-legal under NCAA, USAV & NFHS rules: Flat, non-abrasive snap clips under 2 inches are legal for match play across college, USAV club, and high school volleyball.
Where to buy Star Snap Hair Clips: - Star Snap Hair Clips — Metallic Silver & Gold Packs on Amazon - Star Snap Hair Clips — Matte Black & Team Color Packs on Amazon
2. TIY Hair Ties (The Structural Ponytail Anchor)
Ask any Division I equipment manager what hair tie players request most and the answer is TIY (Tie It Yourself). Founded by professional volleyball player Andreaoma, TIY hair ties arrive as a continuous spool of high-grade elastomer cord.
Why TIY Beats Standard Drugstore Hair Elastics
- Custom-cut to your hair thickness: You cut the exact length you need and tie it into a single, double, or four-loop knot.
- 2x stretch without snapping: Ordinary glued elastics snap at the seam or stretch out by set three, forcing players to re-tie their ponytail between points. A four-loop TIY tie holds heavy, thick, curly, or braided hair at the crown of the head for an entire tournament weekend.
Where to buy TIY Hair Ties: - TIY Official Store — All Team Colors - TIY Hair Ties on Amazon - All Volleyball Hair Accessories
3. Velvet & Satin Athletic Scrunchies
Why do so many college players wear a plush velvet or satin scrunchie on match night? Almost never by itself. Players lock their ponytail in place with a structural TIY hair tie first, then wrap a team-color velvet or moisture-wicking athletic scrunchie over the base.
- Supports the base of a high ponytail: Wrapping a velvet scrunchie around the base of a ponytail props it up so it does not droop toward the neck.
- Prevents hair breakage: Satin and velvet reduce friction at the crown where tight elastics can otherwise fray hair over a four-month season.
Where to buy Athletic & Velvet Scrunchies: - No-Slip Athletic Velvet Scrunchies on Amazon - All Volleyball Scrunchies & Hair Ties
4. Mueller Pre-Wrap Headbands, Bubble-Braid Elastics & Ribbons
| Hair Accessory | How Players Use It | Direct Links to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Mueller MWrap Foam Pre-Wrap | Torn off the roll and tied around the hairline as a disposable, sweat-absorbing, zero-slip headband in school colors | Amazon · All Volleyball |
| Snag-Free Bubble-Braid Mini Elastics | Spaced every 2 inches down a ponytail (“bubble braid”) so wet hair cannot whip into the eyes when turning to pursue a ball | Amazon |
| No-Slip Game-Day Ribbons & Bows | Velvet-lined headbands and ponytail bow ties in team colors for club qualifiers and school spirit nights | Amazon · All Volleyball |
NCAA, USAV & High School Hair Rules: What Referees Check
Before checking in at the scorer’s table, make sure your hair setup passes inspection:
- Flat Snap Clips (Star Clips & Contour Clips): LEGAL. Flat metal snap clips that sit flush against the head with no sharp or projecting parts are permitted in NCAA, USAV, and NFHS high school matches.
- Hard Plastic Claw Clips & Banana Clips: ILLEGAL ON COURT. Players frequently wear claw clips during pre-match stretching, pepper, and on the travel bus, but referees require claw clips to be removed before stepping onto the playing court. If a player dives and lands on the back of their head, a hard plastic claw clip can shatter and puncture the scalp.
- Scrunchies, TIY Ties, Braids & Ribbons: LEGAL. Soft fabric hair ties, scrunchies, and ribbons are legal at all levels, provided a ponytail does not obscure the back jersey number for prolonged periods during dead balls.
- Headbands & Foam Pre-Wrap: LEGAL. Under NFHS high school rules, headbands and pre-wrap must be soft, non-abrasive, and no wider than 2 inches.
Explore every category: Volleyball Accessories Hub — Arm Sleeves, Leg Sleeves, Star Clips & Scrunchies →