What is the purpose of a volleyball serve?

The purpose of a volleyball serve is to initiate play. This action starts each rally in a volleyball match, creating an opportunity for the serving team to score points and setting the stage for the subsequent exchanges between teams. The serve involves sending the ball over the net to the opponent's side, and it must be executed within specific rules to be considered legal.

While scoring a point directly from a serve is a possibility, it is not the primary goal of the serve itself; rather, the serve's main function is to kick off the action of the game. Additionally, a serve does not involve setting up a teammate or blocking the opposing team, as those actions occur during the course of a rally rather than at the serve.

Thus, the correct understanding is that the serve is fundamentally about starting play, which aligns with the rules and objectives of volleyball.