Recruiting
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Recruiting is a crucial process for any athlete looking to play at the next level. It involves identifying the right schools and programs for you and your game. You must evaluate your game, skills and qualifications and match them to a program and school that is the best fit for you. When it comes to recruiting for schools and different programs, there are various choices available. It's important to have a well-defined idea of the recruiting process to ensure that you attract the right school and program that will help your long term goals.
What's right for you?
It's important to consider what type of college is the best fit for you. There are three main governing bodies for college athletics: the NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA (there are also independent conferences to choose from). Each has its own set of rules and regulations, so it's important to understand the key differences before making a decision.
Eligibility
To play college volleyball, student-athletes must meet academic and athletic eligibility requirements set by the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, or independent conferences. These requirements vary by division and conference, but generally include maintaining a minimum GPA and completing a certain number of high school courses. It's important for prospective student-athletes to research the eligibility requirements for the schools and conferences they are interested in to ensure they are eligible to compete at the collegiate level.
Calendar and Rules
Recruiting is a crucial part of building a successful team, and it's important to understand the rules and timelines involved. The governing bodies have strict guidelines for when coaches and players can interact, and it's important to follow these guidelines to avoid any potential violations. The recruiting calendar outlines the specific dates and periods when coaches can contact players, and it's important to stay up-to-date on these timelines to ensure a successful recruiting process.
Recruiting Checklists
Recruiting checklists are an essential tool for high school athletes who aspire to play sports at the college level. These checklists provide a roadmap of what needs to be done each year of high school to prepare for a successful collegiate athletic career. By following these checklists, athletes can ensure they are taking the necessary steps to achieve their goals.
NCAA DI, DII, DIII and Ivy Leagues
NAIA
NJCAA DI, DII, DIII
CCAAA and NWAAC
Division 1: There are 331 NCAA Division I institutions that sponsor women’s volleyball. Division I women’s volleyball scholarship's must be awarded in full to one athlete or not at all. Each team has up to 12 full ride scholarships available. A full scholarship covers tuition, room and board, books, and fees.
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Division 2: There are 302 NCAA Division II institutions that sponsor women’s volleyball. Division II volleyball scholarships are considered an equivalency sport, meaning each team has up to 8 full ride scholarships that can be split as the coach sees fit.
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Division 3 and the Ivy Leagues: There are 427 Division III institutions that sponsor women’s volleyball. D-III and D-I Ivy League schools do not offer any athletic scholarships. Military academies are tuition free, however admission is a rigorous process that requires a congressional recommendation and other service requirements. While athletic scholarships are not offered, athletes may receive academic or need based scholarships.
There are over 231 NAIA schools that sponsor volleyball. There are no division separations within the NAIA. Each team has up to 8 full ride scholarships that are available to split as the coach feels fit.
Division 1: There are 106 institutions that sponsor women’s volleyball. Each team has up to 14 full ride scholarships available. A full scholarship can cover tuition, room and board, books, and fees.
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Division 2: There are 117 institutions that sponsor women’s volleyball. Each team has up to 14 full ride scholarships available. However, these scholarships can only cover tuition, fees and books. Room and board are not covered by these scholarships.
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Division 3: There are 79 institutions that sponsor women’s volleyball. No athletic scholarships are offered at this level. While athletic scholarships are not offered, athletes may receive academic or need based scholarships.
Separate from the above junior college programs, there are several other conferences that support women's volleyball. They are the CCAAA (California Community Colleges) and NWAAC (Northwest Community Colleges).
Academic and
Athletic Eligibility
NCAA:
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NAIA:
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NJCAA:
https://www.njcaa.org/eligibility/index
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NWAAC and CCAAA: See individual schools
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NCAA DI, DII, DIII and Ivy Leagues
NAIA
NJCAA DI, DII, DIII
CCAAA and NWAAC
Division 1:
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Division 2:
https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/compliance/recruiting/calendar/2023-24/2023-24D2REC_RecGuide.pdf
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Division 3 and the Ivy Leagues:
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/10/recruiting-calendars-faq.aspx
Calendar and Rules:
Calendar and Rules:
https://www.njcaa.org/compete/faqs
https://www.allamericansportsrecruiting.com/njcaa-recruiting-rules.php
Calendar and Rules:
See individual schools