Statistical match reports of the 2022 volleyball World Championship in the context of network analysis with Gephi

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Modern volleyball teams participating in tournaments provide extensive statistical data about their actions. These data are available for analysis and represent a valuable source for assessing the potential and future success of both individual athletes and teams as a whole. In this context, tools such as Gephi become particularly valuable for visualizing and analyzing events at high-level tournaments. Our study aims to create and analyze network models of interaction among men's volleyball teams during the qualifying matches of the 2022 World Championship using the Gephi software.
 Materials and Methods. For the research, data were obtained from a volleyball statistics website renowned for its extensive database. The study centered on Group C, comprising the teams: Poland, USA, Mexico, and Bulgaria. Data from six matches were extracted into Microsoft Excel tables and then converted into CSV format. The data from these tables were processed using the PyCharm programming environment and Python code. Visualization and analysis of the data were conducted using Gephi.
 Results. The results of the data processing highlight the professional expertise of the teams. The average values for all primary metrics underscore the teams' proficiency in executing fundamental actions at an elevated level. Eigenvector centrality helps determine the significance of nodes in the graph. The graph's density is 0.601, suggesting a relatively dense network of connections within the team. This indicates that volleyball players frequently engage with one another and share information on the court. Such extensive interaction can lead to enhanced coordination and efficiency in team actions. The parameter ε has a value of 1.0E-4, denoting high computational precision. The average interaction degree among volleyball players stands at 46.244. This measure denotes the interaction intensity among team members, hinting at the overall court activity. The modularity measure is 0.483, which signals the structural organization of the graph rooted in modularity. The graph comprises 5 modular communities, hinting at shared characteristics and cohesion among players within these groups. The HITS (Hyperlink-Induced Topic Search) metric assesses the node significance in the graph in terms of hubs and authorities. High HITS values pinpoint pivotal players acting as hubs, signifying their numerous connections with fellow teammates. Such players are crucial for facilitating information flow and coordination within the squad.
 Conclusions. Utilizing statistical match reports in volleyball, combined with the Gephi software, offers a deeper insight into the dynamics of player interactions. This aids in pinpointing key players, refining team strategies, and enhancing court coordination. Coaches are advised to leverage these tools for an in-depth evaluation of gameplay instances and to make informed decisions. Network analysis methodologies might soon be indispensable tools in the contemporary coaching toolkit.