Which scenario requires a team to automatically forfeit a match?

For a volleyball team to compete, they must have at least six players on the court at the start of the match. If a team presents with fewer than six players, they cannot legally field a complete team, which results in an automatic forfeit of the match. This rule ensures that matches are played under fair conditions and with enough players to participate effectively. Teams are required to be adequately staffed not only for game play but also for the integrity of the sport. This requirement means that any situation where a team does not meet the minimum number of players directly results in a forfeit, as they cannot compete against the opposing team.

The other scenarios, while they may result in penalties or issues, do not automatically lead to a forfeit. For instance, having too many players on the court can result in a penalty, using an unauthorized uniform may lead to a team being required to switch uniforms or may incur a penalty, and missing the match time might allow for a grace period or rescheduling in some cases, but does not automatically negate team participation unless specified by tournament or league rules. Thus, having fewer than six players is the specific scenario that mandates an automatic forfeit due to the inability to field a valid team.