[PaREF]

After a playoff match we were discussing a potential situation during a match. Similar to something that actually happened but not exactly.

A ball is attacked at the net and the defensive team touches the attack. The ball deflects toward the stands and a defensive player pursues the ball. The ball breaks the plane of the stands and, just as the player attempts to play the ball (while still contacting the floor) a fan reaches up and catches the ball, preventing the player from making a play on the ball.

Now, the ball has completely broken the plane. Does the fan's contact with the ball constitute interference and result in a replay? Or does the fact that the ball has completely broken the plane mean that the player has no "right" to the ball and the fan taking away the play results in a point for the attacking team?

This was at a high school match using NFHS rules.