But I don’t play at a Big School or Club?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/recruiting-resources/">https://prepdig.com/recruiting-resources/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the exposure. All the tools. All the hype. The national tournaments. The big-name coaches and college recruiters walking the sidelines. Big schools and big clubs have all the advantages, right? Right? Well, yes and no.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club and travel ball world has completely changed the way youth sports are played, how players are discovered, and how college recruiting works. Whether you like it or not, that's the world we're living in. I came from the baseball world. I grew up playing at my local park, played high school baseball, and spent my summers playing American Legion ball. The old heads reading this will understand that reference. I never made an All-Star team. I wasn't some highly recruited prospect with a fancy profile or a highlight video. I worked hard, kept improving, and eventually earned an opportunity to play college baseball at the NAIA level. More years playing the sport I loved, while having my school partially paid for. That was a different time. Today, travel sports dominate the landscape. Local recreational leagues, once the foundation of youth sports, have taken a back seat or disappeared altogether in some communities. Kids are specializing earlier, families are traveling farther, and the cost of playing competitive sports continues to climb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm not going to get into whether that's good or bad. That's an entirely different article, and I'd probably end up sounding like an old man yelling at the clouds. What I will say is this: The opportunity to get noticed and find a place to play college volleyball is still out there for players who are willing to put in the work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big school or small school. Big club or small club. But let's not pretend the playing field is level. If you're playing for a nationally recognized club that regularly attends major recruiting tournaments, you have an exposure advantage. That's simply a fact. College coaches know those clubs, know the competition, and can evaluate dozens of potential recruits in one weekend. If you're playing at a small 2A school in Arkansas and for a local club that rarely travels outside the state, you're probably not getting that same exposure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>It's going to be tougher for you. Not impossible. Tougher.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And there's a difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bigger Doesn't Automatically Mean Better</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's talk about something that doesn't get discussed enough: money. Competitive club volleyball can be expensive. Really expensive. Club fees, uniforms, hotels, travel, meals, tournament entry fees, and everything else can add up to thousands of dollars a year. For some families, that's simply not realistic. And I don't believe a talented young athlete should be shut out of opportunities because her family can't afford to spend that kind of money.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fortunately, there are options. Some clubs offer financial assistance or scholarships. Families can fundraise to offset expenses. There are regional clubs with lower fees and travel costs. Even some larger clubs offer different team levels with different schedules and financial commitments. You don't necessarily have to play on the top national team to receive good coaching and develop into a college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched some outstanding coaching at smaller clubs. I've also watched players at large clubs who weren't necessarily getting the individual development or playing opportunities they needed. A recognizable club name might get a college coach to stop and watch, but it isn't going to make that coach offer a scholarship to a player who can't perform. There are advantages to playing for a top club. Better competition, established recruiting relationships, more exposure, and often access to experienced coaches. Those are big deals but so is playing time, individual instruction, confidence and having a coach who genuinely invests in a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College coaches need to determine whether your physical abilities, volleyball skills, and athleticism will translate to their level of competition. That's where you have to help yourself. You need to give them something to evaluate. And in my opinion, that starts with three things:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Your physical measurements. Your video. Your statistics</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not social media hype. Not how many followers you have. Not how many times someone calls you underrated. Actual information that helps a college coach determine whether you might fit their program. If you don't have the luxury of playing in front of recruiters every weekend, you have to make it easier for those recruiters to find you. That's what we're going to talk about. How to build a recruiting profile, what information coaches actually want, how to get your video in front of the right people, and how to create opportunities without spending a fortune traveling across the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remember what Ouachita Baptist HC Allison Frizzell say in an earlier article of mine:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pool of volleyball players is more abundant than it used to be, so as far as nonstatistical data goes, we look for the right cultural fit for them and us</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is very important. You don't have to go to a Division I SEC or Big Ten School to have a great career. There are options from Division I,II, III, NAIA and Junior College. Fit matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Get Your Physical Measurements and Get Them Right</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is where I'd start. If I'm evaluating a player I've never seen, I want to know her height, standing reach, approach touch, and block touch. Those measurements provide some immediate information about physical potential. For example, a 5'11" outside hitter from a small Arkansas school with a verified 10'0" approach touch is going to get my attention. That doesn't mean she's a Division I player. I still need to see her mechanics, arm speed, passing ability, and how she performs against quality competition. But now I have a reason to look closer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For front-row players, get these measurements recorded:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Height without shoes</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Standing reach</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maximum approach touch</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maximum block touch</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For setters, I also want to see foot speed and movement efficiency. For liberos and defensive specialists, quickness, passing range, and controlled movement are more important than how high they jump. Don't exaggerate your numbers. If you list a 10'2" approach touch and a college coach measures you at 9'7", you've immediately created a credibility problem. Get measured accurately, preferably by a qualified coach or at a reputable camp, and <strong>update your information as you develop</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Video Is Probably Your Most Important Recruiting Tool</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If college coaches aren't coming to watch you, then you need to give them something worth watching. And I'm not talking about a two-minute video of nothing but your biggest kills set to music. For hitters, wants to see athleticism and arm speed. For setters, tempo and foot speed. For defensive players, plenty of passing and defensive contacts. That's what your video needs to show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a hitter, I want to see attacks against formed blocks, different shot selections, and what you do when the set isn't perfect. <strong>If you can't get much from games, video practice reps.</strong> If you're a setter, show me your footwork, location accuracy, and how you handle bad passes. If you're a libero, I don't need 15 spectacular diving saves. Show me repeated serve-receive contacts, good positioning, and quality defensive touches. North Alabama coach Tristen Johnson made a point I thought was particularly good when discussing defensive players. Some athletes make routine plays look difficult by diving, while great defenders often get there without having to leave their feet. That's the kind of thing coaches notice on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd recommend having both a short highlight video, around three to five minutes, and full match footage available. Identify yourself clearly before each sequence. Don't make a coach spend half the video trying to figure out which player you are. And if you have film against strong competition, use it. A player from a smaller school showing she can compete against a quality 5A or 6A opponent, or a strong club team, is giving coaches useful information. Make sure the first 30 seconds has your best plays or a coach will lose interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Your Statistics Need to Tell a Story</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I use statistics extensively when evaluating players. But I also understand their limitations. A player at a smaller school might have impressive numbers because she's significantly more talented than the competition. Another player might have modest numbers because she plays on a team loaded with college prospects. That's why context makes a big difference and I have this listed third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But that doesn't mean statistics aren't useful. But here is what a smaller-school prospect needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><th>Position</th><th>Numbers I Would Prioritize</th></tr><tr><td>Outside Hitter</td><td>Hitting %, kills/set, attack attempts, passing rating</td></tr><tr><td>Middle Blocker</td><td>Blocks/set, hitting %, kills/set</td></tr><tr><td>Setter</td><td>Assists/set, team hitting %, setting accuracy</td></tr><tr><td>Right Side</td><td>Hitting %, kills/set, blocks/set</td></tr><tr><td>Libero</td><td>Passing rating, reception errors, digs/set</td></tr><tr><td>Defensive Specialist</td><td>Passing rating, reception errors, serving efficiency</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For hitters, don't just send a kill total. Include attempts and errors so coaches can calculate hitting percentage and kill percentage. For liberos, 500 digs might sound impressive, but I want to know how many of those contacts were controlled and playable. If you're at a small school and your statistics are impressive, use them. Just understand that coaches are going to want to see whether that production holds up against better competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Stop Waiting for Someone to Discover You</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is probably the biggest mistake I see. Players and parents assume that if someone is good enough, college coaches will eventually find them. Maybe. But I wouldn't build my recruiting strategy around that. You need to contact coaches yourself. Start by researching schools where your abilities and academic interests fit. Look at the current roster. Check the heights and positions of their players. Watch some of their matches. If you're a 5'8" outside hitter, you probably shouldn't spend all your time emailing Power Four programs with rosters full of 6'2" and 6'3" attackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That doesn't mean you can't play college volleyball. It means you need to be realistic about where you might fit. And don't overlook Division II, Division III, NAIA, or junior college programs. There are some very good volleyball programs at every level. When you contact a coach, make it easy for them to evaluate you. Tell them who you are, where you play, your graduation year, your position, your verified measurements, and your relevant statistics. Include a direct link to your film and your upcoming tournament schedule. Don't send a long email explaining why you've dreamed of playing college volleyball since you were six years old. Coaches receive plenty of those. Give them useful information and a reason to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>This is where I will make a plug for Prep Dig services. First, your free profile. Then check out: <a href="https://prepdig.com/recruiting-resources/">https://prepdig.com/recruiting-resources/</a>. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Small-School Players Have Made It. Including Players From Arkansas.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't have to look very far to find examples of players who came from smaller schools and earned opportunities at the college level. But there's something important about these stories. None of them proves that you can ignore recruiting exposure and simply wait for a scholarship offer. In most cases, these players and their families found ways to get better competition, additional training, or the attention of college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Michaelyn "Mikey" Freeman | Hackett, Arkansas → Tulsa</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an Arkansas example that should get the attention of every small-school player. Freeman played at Hackett, a Class 2A program in western Arkansas, and developed into one of the state's top players. She was a two-time state champion and state tournament MVP, earned Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year honors, and went on to join the University of Tulsa's Division I program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hackett isn't a 6A school in Northwest Arkansas playing a schedule full of the state's largest programs. But Freeman's physical ability, production, and development helped establish her as a legitimate Division I prospect. That's the point. A small-school classification doesn't automatically limit your college potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Morgan Stout | Fowler, Kansas → Wichita State</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan Stout grew up near Fowler, Kansas, a small community surrounded by farmland. She began at a Class 1A school with only a handful of classmates. Her physical potential became apparent during a club tryout in Wichita. Her family made long trips for training and eventually moved closer to better volleyball opportunities. Stout went on to become one of Wichita State's top middle blockers, earning All-Conference and All-Region honors and helping the Shockers reach the NCAA Tournament. She later entered professional volleyball.But don't miss the important part of this story. Stout didn't simply stay in her hometown and wait to be discovered. Her family made significant sacrifices to give her access to better training and competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But don't miss the important part of this story. Stout didn't simply stay in her hometown and wait to be discovered. Her family made significant sacrifices to give her access to better training and competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Annie Kaminski | Wood River, Idaho → Boise State</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaminski grew up in a smaller Idaho community and attended Wood River High School. Her family helped establish a local volleyball club to provide additional playing opportunities. She eventually earned a commitment to Boise State. After committing, she traveled approximately three hours each way, twice a week, to train with a higher-level club. That's a significant commitment, but it illustrates something important. She found a way to improve her training opportunities without starting her volleyball career at a nationally recognized club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Annika Black | Routt High School, Illinois → Lincoln Land → Eastern Illinois</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Black's story is another reminder that recruiting doesn't always follow a straight line. Coming from a small Illinois high school, she received limited interest early in the process. She took the junior college route at Lincoln Land, continued developing, and eventually earned a Division I opportunity at Eastern Illinois. Not every player is physically or technically ready for Division I volleyball at 17 or 18 years old. Some need additional development. Junior college can provide that opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The common thread in these stories isn't that small-school players get overlooked and magically become college stars. It's that they found ways to create opportunities and continued developing their games.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Your Recruiting Checklist</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before you start sending emails to college coaches, make sure you have the basics covered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Accurate height, standing reach, approach touch, and block touch, where relevant</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Updated season statistics with appropriate position-specific measurements</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Three-to-five-minute recruiting highlight video</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Full-match footage against the strongest competition available</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Academic information, including GPA and intended area of study</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Realistic target-school list across appropriate college divisions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Direct contact information for your high school and club coaches</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Upcoming club tournament and camp schedule</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Personalized emails to recruiting coordinators and position coaches</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A plan to follow up with new film, statistics, and measurements</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't need an expensive recruiting service to complete these steps. You need accurate information, a realistic plan, and consistent follow-through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bottom Line</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're at a small school or a smaller club, I'm not going to tell you that recruiting is just as easy as it is for someone playing on a nationally recognized team. It isn't. You're going to have to work harder to get your name in front of coaches. You're probably going to send more emails, make more contacts, and look harder for opportunities to play against quality competition. And even after all of that, some coaches won't respond. That's part of the process. But playing at a small school doesn't mean you lack college-level ability. It means you may have to do more to demonstrate it. I've seen enough volleyball around Arkansas to know that talent isn't limited to the biggest schools or the most expensive clubs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Your school classification doesn't determine your ceiling. Your club's reputation doesn't determine your ability. But neither one excuses you from doing the work necessary to get recruited.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Get your measurements. Track your statistics. Build good film. Contact coaches. Find the right level. And when you get an opportunity to play in front of someone who can recruit you, make it count.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>It will be tougher. But it's doable.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->