My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
I don’t know much about volleyball, but I do know quite a bit about college sports in general at the D2/D3 level.
Hopefully this link is allowed to remain active:
That page has a full list of NCAA volleyball programs along with some helpful explanations.
Women’s NCAA Division I volleyball is a headcount sport, so there is an absolute limit of 12 players per school that can be under scholarship annually at the 331 schools that sponsor Division I volleyball. Those scholarships CANNOT be divided amongst more than 12 players.
In Division II, there are 8 scholarships that CAN be divided amongst multiple players.
Your best chances for her to get picked up are definitely getting her into a few club leagues and camps, as well as contacting coaches directly. You don’t want to come off aggressive or overbearing, but don’t be afraid to politely contact even a Division I school with polite messages. All it takes is one place that has an extra available or loses another recruit at the last minute. Write a few polite emails, or better yet, have your daughter write the emails. Coaches would much, much rather be contacted by a prospective athlete than by a parent. Something like:
"Dear Coach X,
Thanks for taking the time to read my email. My name is (NAME), and I am a senior volleyball player at (SCHOOL) in (TOWN). I also play in (LEAGUE) and have (HONORS), including (ALL STAR GAME APPEARANCE). While I’ve only played for three years, I’m very excited about the opportunity to continue my career at the college level and feel that there’s a lot of room for growth in my game.
I’d be very interested in speaking by phone or visiting your school to learn more.
Thanks,
Signature"
According to that list, Mississippi has zero Division II women’s volleyball programs, so it’s either going to be D1 or going out-of-state. How far (geographically) is she willing to go, and how far are you willing to let her go? If she manages to get the right attention, there are six Division I programs in Missisippi, plus a handful in several of your nearby states (Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas, at a glance, all have several). There are a handful of D2’s in that region, as well, but none in your home state.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
It’s a little late to be just starting her on a club team now, but that is probably the key step. The major club tournaments are where most of the in-person recruiting is done. If you look around, there are some professional recruiting services that can help you out - I’ve been out of it for too long to make specific recommendations.
Is she currently in the middle of her high-school season? Make sure her matches are getting filmed in case you need a collection of highlights to share with a coach or recruiter.
As for the jumping, you might as well wait until her season ends before making a final push to improve her vertical. Then I’d look into a program with plyos, lots of technical work on jumping, and some Russian Leaper/Velocity Builder work if you can find a gym that has one.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
Dunno about how to get their attention, but Mississippi College has bumped up to DII a year or two ago and they are pretty weak in volleyball. Maybe not necessarily a selling point but it is a great education and getting scholarship attention may be a little easier.
Edit: After reading, it appears MC won’t be eligible for full membership in the Gulf South conference until 16-17, when their reclassification process is finished. Unsure how that would effect scholarships.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
It’s a little late to be just starting her on a club team now, but that is probably the key step. The major club tournaments are where most of the in-person recruiting is done. If you look around, there are some professional recruiting services that can help you out - I’ve been out of it for too long to make specific recommendations.
Is she currently in the middle of her high-school season? Make sure her matches are getting filmed in case you need a collection of highlights to share with a coach or recruiter.
As for the jumping, you might as well wait until her season ends before making a final push to improve her vertical. Then I’d look into a program with plyos, lots of technical work on jumping, and some Russian Leaper/Velocity Builder work if you can find a gym that has one.
Good luck![/quote]
Junior Olympics tryouts are happening like right now for every notable club in Ohio(can’t speak for other states, don’t have any connections), and the high school season is in late playoff stages(so, done for 90% of schools; again, for Ohio). I fear it’s probably too late to be getting her extra attention from college scouts.
Thanks a lot guys. Great info!
ActivitiesGuy, I had never seen the website you linked; thanks for that. She kind of has her heart set on Mississippi College. They don’t show up yet on that site, as they just transitioned from D3 to D2 this year. My older daughter runs cross country for them and we only owed $165 after her academic and athletic scholarships this year - FINALLY in her senior year.
Your sample letter is outstanding; I have it saved for her. Thanks!
Serge, her season just ended. That’s why we’re really ramping this up. She didn’t play club ball in the past because it was always during basketball season, and we just didn’t think she could keep up with both AND maintain her grades. She quit basketball to focus on volleyball this year, so now it’s an option.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
Dunno about how to get their attention, but Mississippi College has bumped up to DII a year or two ago and they are pretty weak in volleyball. Maybe not necessarily a selling point but it is a great education and getting scholarship attention may be a little easier.
Edit: After reading, it appears MC won’t be eligible for full membership in the Gulf South conference until 16-17, when their reclassification process is finished. Unsure how that would effect scholarships. [/quote]
Yeah, this is her first pick. We have an older daughter in her senior year there who runs cross country. She was able to get money for that this year. Her roommate is the libero, also in her senior year, and she got some money this year as well. Coincidentally, she hates the coach; in her opinion he is very poor at his job. They weren’t very good before the transition, and they’re pretty much getting crushed in D2. So I’m conflicted - we LOVE the school and are pretty sure she’d have a positive experience outside of volleyball, but if he stays, volleyball likely won’t be much fun. That’s assuming she could make the team. My daughter has emailed him more than once, and he hasn’t responded at all.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
Dunno about how to get their attention, but Mississippi College has bumped up to DII a year or two ago and they are pretty weak in volleyball. Maybe not necessarily a selling point but it is a great education and getting scholarship attention may be a little easier.
Edit: After reading, it appears MC won’t be eligible for full membership in the Gulf South conference until 16-17, when their reclassification process is finished. Unsure how that would effect scholarships. [/quote]
Yeah, this is her first pick. We have an older daughter in her senior year there who runs cross country. She was able to get money for that this year. Her roommate is the libero, also in her senior year, and she got some money this year as well. Coincidentally, she hates the coach; in her opinion he is very poor at his job. They weren’t very good before the transition, and they’re pretty much getting crushed in D2. So I’m conflicted - we LOVE the school and are pretty sure she’d have a positive experience outside of volleyball, but if he stays, volleyball likely won’t be much fun. That’s assuming she could make the team. My daughter has emailed him more than once, and he hasn’t responded at all.[/quote]
My wife and I both graduated from there. The experience I had was exceptional as far as classroom environment. Sports I cant really comment on but I know they are struggling in most sports with the move to DII. Just take them some time to get their feet under them. Maybe a visit is in order if the coach wont return your calls.
[quote]Dr J wrote:
My daughter is a high school senior who has played basketball for five years and just finished her third year of volleyball. She REALLY wants to play volleyball in college,and of course, Dad would like to get some (or all) of her tuition paid. She has already gotten attention from three DIII schools (she also got a letter from DII Springhill College for basketball). Does anybody have any tips for getting at least DII attention?
She has good grades and a 30 on the ACT,so we feel confident that she’ll get some academic scholarship. If sports would pay some more, maybe she could get her degree for “free”. She’s 5’11’', and was at least good enough to play in our state’s (Mississippi) North-South game (All-Stars essentially). We’re presently looking at a couple club league’s, and I am trying to find some resources for improving her overall athleticism, especially her vertical.[/quote]
We are doing the same thing with my daughter. She is currently a junior. The best thing to do since she has not played club yet is to email the coaches at the schools she is interested in. Understand that they are in the middle of their season so they might not respond right away. She needs to go to a game or 2 and try to introduce herself to the coach.
Club is a great idea, but might be a little late for exposure. What it WILL DO is help you set your benchmark. We thought our daughter was great until she played club lol. She is average, maybe slightly above average. It was eye opening to say the least. Some of these girls are athletic, genetic freaks (I mean that in the best way possible). Not really knowing what you have available to choose from in your area, try to find a club that will incorporate strength training during the week. The improvements that happen, even when in season, are amazing.
As far as scholarships for DIII, it is my understanding that DIII can not issue athletic based scholarships. But like everything else, their are loop holes. It is smoke and mirrors. Good luck!