24 Down

NYT Daily ? September 10, 2025

Certain volleyball hit

Answer:

SPIKE

Hint:

This aggressive move sends the ball sharply downward, often scoring a point; think of a sudden, forceful attack over the net.

Explanation:

"SPIKE" is the answer because it’s the term for a powerful, downward hit in volleyball where a player slams the ball over the net to score. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay or hidden meanings—just a direct reference to a common volleyball move. If you’ve watched or played volleyball, you’d recognize this as the aggressive shot that often ends a rally.

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General solving tip

Words like 'said,' 'reportedly,' or 'sounds like' point to homophones—an answer that sounds like another word or phrase. Read the clue aloud in your head.

More tips → General Hints