Exceptional Sub?
 

A team has only seven players; no libero. A1-A6 start; later in the set A7 subs in for A1.

A6 now mouths off to the coach, and the coach want to bench A6.

Can A1 (now on the bench) be used as an exceptional sub? If not, can the team play with 5, even though A6 is eligible and not injured? If so, can A6 return?

(and, of course, any other options / considerations?)

According to Rule 10-3-6, the exceptional sub is to be used only for an ill/injured player. However, Rules 5-4-3a-1 & -2 give the R1 the leeway to make such a substitution.

I would not have a problem of doing this for the remainder of that set since IMO the R1 does have rule support for this action.

"Coach, she's injured and can't play, RIGHT???"

That's very similar to what I did. ;)

Hey, looks like the forum's back!

That's awesome! What caused the outage?

I would issue the card for unsportsmanlike conduct and allow the exceptional substitution in this situation. I'm not sure if volleyball allows a substitution for a carded player, like NFHS soccer, but it would be reasonable in this situation. If the rule does not allow this, then the apporpriate team would play with 5.