Playing At The Next Level
Information about the college recruiting processClick on a year to find out more information
Research & compile an initial list of 20 to 30 schools you’re interested in. Rank schools based on the attributes that are most important to you
Begin writing coaches of schools you’re interested in, get on their radar and get your name out there!
Play at the highest level of club/HS team you can.Ask your coaches where you need improvement and set goals.
Look for College camps and clinics to attend.
Good grades are critical ALL 4 years of HS – hit the ground running freshman year!
Register with NCAA & NAIA eligibility Centers, complete recruiting questionnaires for all schools on your list.
Begin compiling highlight & game videos, consider setting up a channel within YouTube
Continue to research and update your list and write coaches & schools. Send videos and/or links to videos.
Consider working with a speech coach to develop and improve communications skills -make a good first impression
when you talk to coaches.
Begin making phone calls to coaches, let them know your game / meet / match schedule – stay on their radars!
Take SAT / ACT practice tests and/or test prep courses, keep your grades up!
Pick a good attitude and show it. Recognize that nothing is owed to you just because you’re a good athlete.
Continue to research schools but narrow your list to 10 to 15 schools.
Keep in contact with coaches often , let them know of your continued interest and also if you’re no longer interested.
Continue to send videos & grades to schools you are interested in. Be your own advocate & keep your name out there!
Ask coaches where you stand on their recruiting list and their timeline.
Take SAT/ACT Tests
Look to attend Showcase games and tournaments and let coaches know your schedule.
Continue to play at the highest level of club/HS team you can. Get feedback on where you can improve skills.
Make unofficial visits to schools you’re interested in
Narrow your list to 3 to 5 schools, stay in contact with coaches on a weekly basis.
Ask coaches for the timeline they will make offers.
Quickly & politely let schools know if you’re no longer interested
Contact players on your short list of schools, get their direct feedback on the school
and program.
Take official visits to schools on your short list, meet coaches and players.
Complete FAFSA form, get college applications in early and apply to all schools on your short list.
Keep your grades up – avoid Senior Slump!
Character is key, make good choices every day. Who are you when no one is looking?
Post nothing on social media you may later regret. Don’t let a 100 character tweet cost you a $100,000 scholarship!.
Receive, consider and respond to all written offers from schools
Make the decision … make sure it’s your decision!
Contact Dates
Division 1
First Contact Date (emails, texts, phone calls) – June 15th after soph year
- Kids can no longer call Div 1 coaches before this date
First Official or Unofficial Visit Date – August 1 before Junior Year
- Kids can visit campuses before that date but can’t have any communication with any of the coaching staff
Verbal Offers – the earliest a verbal offer can be given would be the 1st contact date of June 15th after soph year.
You can still go to summer camps whenever and could meet and talk with coaches there but the rule states that no recruiting conversations shall take place.
Division 2
First Contact Date – also June 15th after soph year
- Kids can STILL call us and talk to us at anytime – we just can’t call them until this date
First Official Visit Date – June 15th after soph year
- Kids can STILL take unlimited unofficial visits at any time and they can meet with the coaches
Verbal Offers – can be made at any time
WANT TO PLAY COLLEGE SPORTS?
Creating an account HERE is the first step to becoming an NCAA student-athlete
Or
Creating an account HERE is the first step to becoming an NAIA student-athlete
How many college volleyball teams are there?
There are about 1,802 women’s varsity volleyball programs across the U.S.:
- 334 Division 1 volleyball colleges
- 298 Division 2 volleyball colleges
- 437 Division 3 volleyball colleges
- 220 NAIA volleyball colleges
- 67 four-year colleges outside of the above divisions
- 313 NJCAA volleyball colleges
- 133 two-year colleges outside of the NJCAA
Helpful Websites
Getting Started
How to make a recruitment video
Florida Schools
Full list of Division 1 college volleyball teams
Full list of Division 2 college volleyball teams
Full list of Division 3 college volleyball teams
Full list of NAIA volleyball schools
Full list of JUCO volleyball teams
NCAA Eligibility Center
NCSA
SAT and ACT Information
All SAT and ACT test scores must be reported to the clearinghouse directly from the testing agency. Test scores will not be accepted if reported on a high school transcript. When registering for these tests, input the clearinghouse code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported directly to the clearinghouse.
SAT DATES, DEADLINES and REGISTRATION
ACT TEST DATES, DEADLINES and REGISTRATION
Sample Email content to Coach
Dear Coach [Coach’s Last Name],
My name is [Your Name]; I am a/an [Setter, Defensive Specialist, Libero, Outside Hitter, Right Side Hitter, Middle Hitter] and am very interested in continuing my academic and volleyball endeavors at [University Name]. I am currently a [sophomore, junior, senior] at [High School Name, City, State].
I have included a link to some game highlights and skills video from the current and/or past club season: [YouTube link].
I will be at the [Tournament Name] in [City Name] this weekend and have included my entire tournament schedule below. If you need anything further, please let me know by emailing me at email@email.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Club Name
Jersey #
Team Name
[Insert schedule]
Lots of tournaments use University Athlete to get information to the recruiters at events who are looking for specific positions to fill. Before you attend a large tournament, you can ask the tournament coordinators if they use something different, otherwise you can register for your free Athlete account on their website.