Class of 2028: Tips To Prepare For June 15

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: digdakotas30</a>   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigdakotas/?hl=en">Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas</a>   We are officially one month away from June 15, and for the Class of 2028, this is the date many players and families have had circled for a long time. June 15 is when college coaches can officially begin direct conversations with athletes. The texts, phone calls, camp invites, and recruiting conversations finally open up.   For some players, the phone may ring right away. For others, it may not.   And players, I need you to hear this clearly: that is okay.   One of the biggest mistakes families make during recruiting is comparing their journey to somebody else's. Just because another athlete receives attention early does not mean you are behind or not good enough. Every program recruits differently. Some schools are looking for middles. Some already have a libero committed. Some are recruiting by size, athleticism, academics, or system fit. Every roster is different.   Do not let someone else's timeline make you question your own.   I also want players and parents to understand something else that has changed recruiting quite a bit over the last few years: the Transfer Portal.   College coaches now have experienced college athletes available every offseason, and because of that, recruiting looks different than it used to. Players need to stay open-minded through this process. We get stuck in this mindset that if you are not going Division I or Division II, somehow you are not successful.   That simply is not true.   I have watched Division III and NAIA practices. I have been in those gyms. Those athletes are talented, competitive, and working just as hard as anyone else. Some of the best volleyball environments I have watched have come from programs people overlook because they are too focused on division labels.   At the end of the day, this process has to be about fit.   Not social media graphics. Not who committed first. Not what looks the coolest online.   It has to fit the athlete.   Parents, now is the time to sit down and have real conversations with your player. Not just volleyball conversations. Life conversations.   Ask questions like:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>What careers interest you?</li>   <li>Does the school offer strong programs for that career path?</li>   <li>How important is balance between sports and school?</li>   <li>Do you want a big campus or smaller environment?</li>   <li>Do you want smaller class sizes?</li>   <li>Are you comfortable being far away from home?</li>   <li>Or is being close to family important?</li> </ul>   Because eventually volleyball becomes everyday life. Your athlete is the one who will wake up there every morning, go to class there, build relationships there, and spend the next four years there.   The fit matters.   Now let's talk about something players overlook all the time: social media.   Clean it up.   You are marketing yourself whether you realize it or not. Coaches absolutely look at social media. I see things all the time where players probably think it is harmless, but coaches are paying attention. Everything online becomes part of how people view you.   A good rule to follow is simple: If you would not confidently show your grandparents or future coach, it probably should not be posted.   Your social media should help tell coaches who you are:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Your work ethic</li>   <li>Your energy</li>   <li>Your leadership</li>   <li>Your personality</li>   <li>Your love for the game</li> </ul>   Next, film.   If you have not started sending film out yet, start now.   And players, it does not need to be some overproduced five-minute highlight with crazy edits and music. Coaches are not looking for that. They want to evaluate volleyball.   Keep it simple. One to two minutes is enough.   Show a few seconds before contact so coaches can see your footwork, movement patterns, reads, and mechanics. They want to evaluate how you move before the play develops, not just the final touch.   And honestly, do not be afraid to show a few mistakes.   Some of the best film shows growth. A missed play followed by an adjustment tells coaches a lot about how you respond and how coachable you are.   Now here is another thing players should be doing right now: practice conversations.   Sit down with your parents, coaches, or someone you trust and do mock interviews. Get comfortable talking about yourself. Get comfortable answering questions about your goals, strengths, and personality.   Because when those calls start happening, coaches are not only recruiting skill. They are recruiting people.   Have questions ready for coaches too:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>What is your team culture like?</li>   <li>What are your expectations?</li>   <li>How do you develop players?</li>   <li>What does your offseason look like?</li>   <li>What kind of athlete are you looking for in my class?</li> </ul>   Show coaches you are invested in learning about their program too.   So here is my challenge for every 2028 reading this:   After reading this article, send your highlight film and introduction email to:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>5 Division I programs</li>   <li>5 Division II programs</li>   <li>5 Division III programs</li>   <li>5 NAIA programs</li> </ul>   Start the conversations. Introduce yourself. Put yourself out there.   And if you do not know where to start, message me on Instagram (@prepdigdakotas) or email me at <a href="mailto:theresa.prepdigs@gmail.com">theresa.prepdigs@gmail.com</a>. I am always happy to help players through this process.   I will leave you with this:   It is not too late. Do not compare your path to somebody else's. Trust your journey.   June 15 is only the beginning. There are going to be unanswered emails, difficult moments, and times where you wonder if things are working out.   But eventually, the right fit will come.   You will find the school that feels like home. You will find the coaching staff that believes in you. And when it all comes together, it will make sense why your journey happened the way it did.   Parents, your athletes need you through all of it. They need support during the highs and the lows. Recruiting can be emotional, exciting, stressful, and overwhelming all at once.   Be their support system. Keep perspective. And remind them that their worth is not based on how many coaches call on June 15.   This is a long process, and there is still so much volleyball ahead.~Theresa@prepdigdakotas   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">In Case You Missed It</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prepdig.com/dakotas/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/image_5b1fa1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-987083" /></a></figure>

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