Incoming Calls for 2027s: June 15th Has Arrived

June 15th is a big day in the volleyball and recruiting world. College coaches cannot reach out to perspective players until June 15th going into their junior year of high school. The recruiting process can be overwhelming for players who don't know where to start when it comes to navigating all things college volleyball. Keep reading to get some quick tips & tricks for all athletes who are trying to hop on to the college scene.

Figuring out your radius and non-negotiables
When you are narrowing down your options, you need to think about how far are you willing to drive, or even fly, from your home. If you want to be able to drive home for the weekend, then looking at schools that are 7+ hours away wouldn't be the best place to start. Some athletes want their families to be able to travel to games, so that would be something else to consider in the process of narrowing down options for schools. Non-negotiables would be things that are at the top of your priority list when deciding on a university. It can be as simple as you don't like the colors that they wear, or it can be about the degrees the school offers. It would be beneficial to sit down with your family or coach to think about your list of non-negotiables, and the things that you are willing to compromise on.

Know the difference between all the types of schools
There are many different types of universities across the country, (Dl, Dll, Dlll, NAIA, JUCO) and it's important to know what each one offers. Division l is the highest level in college volleyball, and is also the one that offers the most benefits to their athletes. In this division, scholarships can vary from an all expenses paid (full ride) to half, and can even vary year to year. There are also athletes that walk-on to the program that do not receive any athletic scholarship, but can receive academic scholarships! Division ll schools are also very competitive with scholarship funds as they can combine academic and athletic scholarships to accommodate giving more players substantial help financially. Sometimes at the Dll level, schools offer a varsity and JV squad, so you may see higher roster numbers at this level. Dlll is the only type of school that does not offer athletic scholarship, only academic tuition is given to these athletes based on their GPA. There are a lot of highly successful Dlll programs out there. This level also has a JV and varsity at most programs, so expect bigger teams. NAIA is very similar to Dl/Dll because of the scholarships that they provide, both athletic and academic. NAIA programs continue to keep developing and provide a ton of talent. This level would be great for a lot of athletes wanting to continue their volleyball careers. Last but not least, JUCO's, or community colleges. With the new rule passed by NCAA that states that any athlete that plays at a JUCO for 2 years can still be eligible for 4 more years in the NCAA, athletes are starting to lean more towards this route. It gives athletes the opportunity to receive an Associate's degree before they even begin their 4 year program, with any degree that they decide on. JUCO's around the country are going to become a lot more competitive with the implementation of this rule. JUCO's can also provide a lot of scholarships to prospective athletes.
It is crucial to know how each type of university operates when you are weighing your options for your future college volleyball career.

Talking to college coaches
The next step is actually communicating with the coach(s). If you aren't already, start sending out emails to coaches that include a little bit of information about yourself and also highlights. This can put you on their radar and they will likely continue to follow you and watch you play in person if possible. If they do reach out to you, they will try to set up a phone call with you. It is important to just be yourself when you are doing this because they really do want to see how you are as a person first. They want to make sure that you would be a good fit for their program, just as much as you are trying to figure out if it's a good fit for yourself. While you are on the call, try to have a list of questions to ask, they want to hear your thoughts and to know that you are invested in your recruiting process!
Here are some questions that you could ask college coaches:
-Does your university offer (insert degree you are interested in)?
-Do you see me as (your position) or do you see me transitioning to a different position?
-How would you describe your coaching style?
-How many athletes are in my position, and how do you view my play stacked up to them?
-What's the average class size?
-What is housing like for the volleyball players?

These are just examples and there are so many questions that you can ask coaches when they are trying to recruit you to their school. Take advantage of the time they give you because you want to make the best decision for your future. Take as many phone calls/visits as you can during this process! Happy June 15 to the Class of 2027 and happy recruiting!