What Colleges are Recruiting in the DMV Area

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July is coming up quickly. That is when the class of 2028 can make their commitments. Some choices are easy. You have been going to camps, you like the coaches, it's a school your parents graduated from, perhaps you played with a couple of club teammates at the college. Most are quite difficult. You may get letters of interest from colleges you never knew existed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are serious about playing volleyball in college you should be looking early. That usually begins with your frosh season in high school when you start going to camps. Be realistic in your expectations. Normally, only the top players in the Prep Dig rankings get recruited by the top Division I colleges. There are always exceptions but if you look at 2026 rankings these are the top five from Virginia and the colleges they have committed to:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1. <strong>Nadiya Johnson </strong>(Baylor)<br>2. <strong>Caydence Doolan</strong> (Marquette)<br>3. <strong>Kennedy Spaid</strong> (Arizona State - Beach)<br>4. <strong>Morgan Williams</strong> (Tennesse)<br>5. <strong>Claire Mo</strong> (Columbia)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You have some exceptions falling out of the top ten such as number 17 Bryah Breaux (Kentucky).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the class of 2027 you have:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1. [player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] (Penn State)<br>2. [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] (UCLA)<br>3. [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] (Oklahoma)<br>4. [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] (Virginia)<br>5. [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] (James Madison) </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The above are only the Virginia rankings. Each state is reviewed and from those state rankings national rankings come out. A Top 100 may only include a few players from each state but those players get the bulk of interest from the major colleges. Below is a top five national ranking for the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1. <strong>Kendall Omoruyi</strong> (Nebraska)<br>2. <strong>Olivia Henry</strong> (Penn State)<br>3. <strong>Sophee Peterson</strong> (Texas A%M)<br>4. <strong>Westley Matavao</strong> (UCLA)<br>5. <strong>Ireland Real</strong> (Texas) <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='296486' first='Taylor' last='Harrington'] is ranked number 10 in the country, [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] 46, [player_tooltip player_id='437441' first='Hunter' last='Ross'] 64, [player_tooltip player_id='941986' first='Coco' last='Lewis'] 73 and [player_tooltip player_id='385968' first='Macie' last='Murray'] is not nationally ranked. It is not that colleges really pay attention to rankings when they recruit but scouts who assess talent try to determine what players appear attractive to colleges. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes they are wrong. Just like a college who recruits who they think is a stand out player but disappoints once faced with the college competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the colleges that three or more players from the class of 2026 and 2027 in the DMV area have committed to:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lynchburg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kenstin Phelps </strong>([program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']) - ranked 126 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Kathleen Grosz </strong>(757 Volleyball Club) - ranked 114 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Dylan Cline </strong>(River City Volleyball Club) - ranked 63 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Avery Hurley</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']) - ranked 82 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Camdyn Milistz</strong> (757 Volleyball Club - ranked 102 in the class of 2026</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bridgewater</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Lucille Tignor</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']) ranked number 143 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Molly Gardner</strong> (Virginia Elite) - ranked number 90 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Madeline Dumais</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - ranked number 91 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Maecy Frizzelle</strong> (Valley Juniors) - ranked number 124 in the class of 2026<br>[player_tooltip player_id='547072' first='Victoria' last='Small'] (Maryland Juniors) - ranked number 46 in the class of 2027</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mary Washington</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589220,"width":"360px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501502019107653","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/78-Avery-Lefman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589220" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:360px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Avery Lefman</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Sofie Ferrell</strong> (Virginia Elite) - ranked number 14 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Eden Tardy</strong> (Virginia Juniors) - ranked number 28 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Avery Lefman</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) - ranked number 48 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Audry Busch</strong> (Virginia Juniors) - ranked number 49 in the class of 2027</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Weslyan</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Elizabeth York</strong> ([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - ranked number 27 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Riley Stevers</strong> (American) - ranked number 67 in the class of 2026<br><strong>Brenna Raymond </strong>([program_tooltip program_id='489547' first='540' last='Volleyball Academy']) - ranked number 84 in the class of 2026</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Old Dominion</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589253,"width":"295px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501502019107653","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/113-Alyssa-Kumah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589253" style="aspect-ratio:1.501502019107653;width:295px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='435745' first='Alyssa' last='Kumah'] ([program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - ranked number 6 in the class of 2027<br>[player_tooltip player_id='744269' first='Arianna' last='Murphy'] (SERV) - not ranked in class of 2027 but now on the watch list<br>[player_tooltip player_id='530280' first='Lora' last='Totcheva'] (Virginia Juniors) - ranked number 84 in the class of 2027</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Loyola Maryland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='464573' first='Blake' last='Crawford'] ([program_tooltip program_id='498495' first='Richmond' last='Volleyball Club']) - ranked number 16 in the class of 2027<br>[player_tooltip player_id='811557' first='Ayosa' last='Stewart'] (Virginia Juniors) - not ranked in the class of 2027 but now on the watch list<br><strong>Sydnee Peters</strong> (Metro) - ranked number 54 in the class of 2026</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Recommendations for the Recruiting Process</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Create an on line presence, whether that is through Prep Dig, Sports Recruit, HUDL or University Athlete (which most college coaches recommend). Most of these sites offer a free profile but if you want more bells and whistles you'll need to pay. You can always use more than one recruiting site. Take advantage of those free profiles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Limit any video to no more than two minutes. Lliberos should emphasize serve receive and defense. Middles focus on blocking and hitting quick tempo sets. The pins should focus on hitting, serve receive, defense and blocking. Setters should show a mixture of quick tempo sets, back sets and forward sets. If you jump set emphasize that and if you set a 5/1 show some setter dumps. Setters should also show they can play defense. For any of the positions serving should be excluded unless you can show a vicious top spin serve that is difficult to receive. For the most part the regular jump serve all looks the same on film. Show the link for the video highlights on your one page introductory letter. I don't think anyone sends video cassettes anymore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you have a list of colleges you hope to attend make any correspondence less than a page and include a link of film that is not more than two minutes. Highlight any awards you received, i.e. first team, all conference, best passer etc. If you have been ranked high by Prep Dig frame the ranking to best suit your needs. If you are ranked 22 by Prep Dig for the state of Virginia but that is the highest rank for a setter focus on the number one ranked setter in the state of Virginia rather than number 22 in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There might be an instance of a college trying to force you to make a quick decision by stating they have three girls they are considering for one scholarship and will give that to the first person who accepts their offer. Don't feel obligated to meet that demand. One of the most important things to consider for a four year relationship with a college is if you get injured and can no longer play volleyball would you still consider staying at the school for the education.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, those are just my thoughts and recommendations. Each athletes journey is different. For some they prefer a larger college experience so there is no interest in playing at a Division III school. Others have certain geographical preferences. Just know that the more restrictions you place on your college choice the more difficult it will be to play volleyball in college. Of course, don't forget that many colleges also offer club ball. They are less organized than the team but offer tournaments and are easier on your time. Playing in college your study time often is done on the bus during road trips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And I don't even want to get into the NIL aspect, which is more prevalent at the higher Division I level. My preference would be to make a choice that feels good for you. Weigh the pros (what the college can give you) with the cons (distance, size, closeness to friends and family). And don't get greedy and let the NIL rewards weigh too much into your decision. It is pretty easy to price yourself out of the market if you are not familiar with who you are competing against.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most important of all, be professional in your approach to the recruiting process. Send thank you notices but "no thank you" to those colleges showing an interest but you have no interest in attending. Perhaps send a thank you letter with a request to schedule an official visit to familiarize yourself with the campus. You get five of those each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good luck.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->