Top Volleyball Colleges to Apply to?

Hi! I'm a junior and I've been playing volleyball for a while now. I'd love to continue playing in college and hope to get recruited. What are some top ranked volleyball colleges that I should consider? Any tips or suggestions would be super helpful!

Hello! It's great to hear that you're passionate about volleyball and want to continue playing in college. To give you a good starting point, here are some top colleges known for their strong volleyball programs:

1. Stanford University

2. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

3. University of Texas at Austin

4. University of Wisconsin-Madison

5. Penn State University

6. University of Florida

7. University of Minnesota

8. University of Southern California

9. University of Hawai'i at Mānoa

10. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other outstanding volleyball programs outside of these well-known schools. You can further research schools based on factors like location, size, academic offerings, and campus culture to find the right fit for you personally and academically, as well as athletically.

Besides researching schools, you should take steps to increase your chances of being recruited:

1. Create a recruiting profile: Use a platform like NCSA (Next College Student Athlete) to create an online recruiting profile where you can showcase your volleyball skills, high school stats, video footage, and academic achievements. Having an online presence can help you connect with college coaches and expose you to a wider range of college volleyball programs.

2. Attend volleyball camps and showcases: Participate in college volleyball camps, club tournaments, and showcases to further enhance your skills and gain exposure to college coaches. Building connections with coaches, especially at the schools you’re most interested in, can help increase the likelihood of being recruited.

3. Reach out to college coaches: Research each college's volleyball program and get to know their coaching staff. Send personalized emails to the head coaches and assistant coaches, expressing your interest in their program and providing information about your background, skills, and academic achievements.

4. Build a strong support network: Work closely with your high school or club coach to gain insight into the recruiting process and have someone to vouch for your skills when talking to college coaches. It's also a good idea to consult your guidance counselor for help with the academic side of recruiting, such as identifying colleges where you’ll be able to thrive in the classroom as well, and staying on track with college applications.

5. Maintain academic excellence: Being a strong student can help open up more opportunities for scholarships and aid. Volleyball programs value players who excel academically and who will represent their school well off the court.

Best of luck with your college search and volleyball career!