What happens when the ball hits the antenna during a play?

When the ball hits the antenna during a play, it is declared out of bounds. In volleyball, the antennas are considered the vertical extensions of the sidelines. If the ball touches or crosses the antenna, it indicates that the ball has gone out of the intended play area, thereby resulting in a loss of the rally for the team that hit the ball. This is crucial for maintaining the boundaries and ensuring fair play, as the ball must pass between the antennas to be considered in play. Therefore, the correct response reflects the established rules regarding ball in and out of bounds statuses in volleyball gameplay.