This system was used extensively in the selection of Canada's National Women's team in 1971 and 1972. For the National selection in 1971 we started or selection process by using the 25 person formula and later we used combinations of all the other formulas to make the final selections. Bill Neville who assisted with the US Gold Medal men's team at the 84 Olympics says that they used the system as well. We have found in the four formulas that you often get ties. If you really want to determine the best player out of 12 or 8 or 16 then play the whole system.
Coaches can be very creative with all the formulas that exist.
For example at a camp with 15 select players we put the players into groups of 3 with a setter, a middle blocker and a power hitter. The teams of three then played as units of one in the 5 person doubles formulas. This allowed the coaches to observe the players that won on a regular basis. The players played the 5 person formula and then rotated the setters. This system also had the side benefit of teaching all the players the systems of service reception and defense.