I'm confused

[MCBear]

You have finally learned what most of us already know from experience - coaches DO NOT know the rules of the game. In your instance, if either coach had known what the heck was going on, they would not have allowed your partner to give such a blatantly wrong interpretation to a rule to start a match. Unless they are real chowderheads, I bet that they know the correct rule now.

Sounds to me like your partner doesn't really know the game of volleyball and doesn't want to take the time to learn about it. Unfortunately, this type of official gets hired because there is such a dire need for officials to do the sport. We can only hope that he creates enough problems for himself & the schools for whom he refs that he either decides to step up and learn what the game is about or he decides to let those who know the game of volleyball do it and he will sit in the stands yelling about the rules that he doesn't know.

Hang in there, rev! As long as you keep studying and learning and finding credible partners to work with, you will be OK.