1/800 CAN work, but you will end up with obvious movement on some images...1/1000 is as slow a speed as I would use and I'd prefer 1/1250 if it didn't run the ISO too high...I also don't go higher than f4 usually. You want the background OOF so your subject stands out. As I said, move around when they are changing players or between games / sets. I would guess that I shoot from a minimum of 3 different spots and more likely 7 or 8 different spots and I don't normally have the opportunity to get down at the base of the net although some refs will allow it (probably less likely during playoffs)...
Don't be afraid to crop! It can really make your images pop...
Well I have to say it was a good learning experience for me using the D750 for the first time. I have a lot of practicing to do with it. Instead of posting multiple photos to here I'll just post a link to them at flickr. Never mind about the first 15 photos, I uploaded the photos to the wrong folder. Anyway, I'll post the one photo that is my favorite of the hundreds of photos I took of our HS volleyball team. They pretty much ran away with the tournament. Not only did they win it all, first time in our HS volleyball history, they knocked off the two teams that have been in the finals each year since 1997, in the quarter and semi finals respectively. They also received 4 all tourney awards, best male & female attacker awards, academic award AND the sportsmanship award.
After winning their championship game, their coach said "When I walked into my classroom, the whole team and a few members of the community were already in there, all just staring at each other in silence, I think in shock at what they had just accomplished. They all looked at me and one asked, “What do we do?” I laughed and just started screaming with my already weak voice. They all erupted and it sounded like a college locker room after a big win."
It has been 32 years since anyone from our HS has won any regional tournament in any sport and I'm glad that I could be a part of it through my photos. I only wish I had the funds to go take some more photos of them at the State Mix 6 tourney at Anchorage, AK.
Here is the photo of the kids during the championship game vs White Mountain. If I had known, I would've used a smaller aperture and waited just a bit to have them all in focus and showing each one of their faces.
Untitled by Rodney Jr, on Flickr
Flickr volleyball photos link
Thanks for all your help!