Are You Good Enough to Play NCAA Volleyball?

If your child wants to play college volleyball, one of the first questions your family will probably ask is:

Are they good enough to play at the NCAA level?

There isn't one measurement or statistic that answers that question. College coaches evaluate the complete player — and standards can vary significantly by school, division and position.

Here are the most important things families should know.

What Do College Volleyball Coaches Look For?

Coaches typically evaluate a combination of:

• Position and physical profile
• Height, reach and athleticism
• Approach and block touch
• Position-specific skills
• Game performance and competition level
• Highlight and game video
• Academics
• Potential and coachability

Height can certainly matter, especially for front-row positions, but being taller doesn't automatically make someone a college-level player.

A player's athleticism, skill, volleyball IQ and ability to perform against strong competition all matter.

Division I, II or III?

Not every NCAA program is looking for the same type of athlete.

Division I generally has the highest level of competition and roster spots can be extremely competitive.

Division II also features high-level volleyball, with recruiting standards varying considerably between programs.

Division III offers another large group of competitive opportunities, often with a strong emphasis on academics and overall school fit.

Instead of asking only, "Can I play Division I?", families should ask:

"Which college programs are the best fit for me academically and athletically?"

Video Matters

College coaches can't watch every recruit play in person.

That's why having quality video is so important.

Your video should make it easy for a coach to quickly identify you and evaluate the skills that matter for your position.

Don't worry about making a fancy highlight reel. Make it easy for coaches to evaluate you.

Being Good Enough Isn't Enough

This is where many families get stuck.

A player can have the ability to compete in college and still go unnoticed by coaches.

Don't simply wait to be discovered.

Players should be researching programs, building their recruiting profile, contacting coaches, sharing video and providing updates throughout high school.

So, Are You Good Enough?

There isn't one universal NCAA volleyball standard.

You may not fit what one program needs but could be a great fit for another.

The key is understanding where you fit, identifying realistic college programs and getting your information in front of the right coaches.

Ready to Start?

The College Recruitment Portal helps student-athletes build their recruiting profile, showcase their video and athletic information, research college programs, contact coaches and manage their recruiting process in one place.

Don't wait to be discovered. Get on coaches' radar.

Get Recruited Today!