CLUB VOLLEYBALL
program. Woodin believes that volleyball shouldn’t be added stress but, rather, some- thing players are excited about and look to as an outlet to get away from it all. She recruits athletes who she feels have a sense of duty and a competitiveness that drives them to grow as players. “We’re not expecting anyone to be per-
fect,” Woodin says. “But we do want someone who’s positive, passionate and purposeful about what they’re doing, not just going through the motions.” When recruiting, Woodin looks for many
traits. How does a player respond to adversity? How does a player respond to success? How do they treat others when they’re winning? How about when they’re losing? How do they carry themselves off the court? Competitiveness is an obvious trait that coaches look for, but Woodin says her first consideration is a player’s character. “We want someone who is open-minded,
willing to try new things, respectful of their coaches and teammates, and someone who will uphold our expectations.”
Get to know them How does a coach know if you’re pas- sionate, energetic or intrinsically motivated? Well, this part is up to you. Coaches appreci- ate the proactive athletes who take it upon themselves to get into a program. Forward communication and a clear interest in the school and the team will make you a more memorable candidate. This may require reaching out to coaches multiple times through phone calls and emails. Don’t expect coaches to come to you. Also, remember that each division has different rules about when and how coaches are allowed to contact you, so if you’re feeling concerned that you haven’t received a call back from a coach, make sure you are within the time range. (Contact period guidelines can be found at
NCAA.com.) Woodin says she prefers phone calls to emails because she feels like she can better learn who a player is. “It’s fun to be intrigued by something different and creative and [something] other than a form email.” When Froley was searching for her college team, she made sure to follow up promptly when coaches emailed or called. “I wanted to make sure they knew I was paying attention to their team,” she says. “Volleyball is a team sport, and if the coach sees that you’re active in learning about the team, it proves you’re a team player. You’re coming in and contributing to the team, so you have to show the coach that the whole team matters and that it’s more about the group than the individual.” It’s the school’s job to convince you to at- tend, but it’s the player’s job to ask questions
Scholarships by the numbers
26,915 Number of women who played college volleyball in 2015 (all levels).
5,279 Number of players who played at the Division I level in 2015.
1,787 Total number of collegiate teams in 2015 at all levels, including
NCAA (Division I, II and II) NAIA, NJCAA, USCAA and all other two-year schools.
6.2 18
Percent chance of a high school player in 2015 playing at the collegiate level (1.2 percent at the Division I level)
Average women’s roster size of an NAIA women’s team (maximum eight scholarships allowed).
and get all the information needed to make an informed decision. When asked what ultimately helped her accept a position at UCSD, Froley said, “I talked to the girls on the team. Both the schools and the recruits want to put their best foot forward, so it can seem like a facade at times, but it’s great to talk to the players because they can tell you what it’s really like.”
Let them get to know you In addition to getting to know the play- ers and coaches, you have to let them get to know you. Your teammates become your closest friends on campus and you share a unique and special experience with them, so it’s important that you feel welcome and comfortable with them. Your coaches are your mentors, there to help you in life as well as volleyball, and the recruiting process is your small window of time to build a relationship with them. Froley says she’s happy with her choice
for various reasons, including the location, distance from home and the people. “I started out by calling as many DII coaches as I could and I learned that the trick is to be enthusiastic,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to talk to people on the phone or in person.” For Kuhn, learning about a player is an
essential part of the decision because that player is not just an addition to a volleyball team but an addition to the community and family atmosphere that she and the Kansas staff are building.
Red flags
What shouldn’t you do? Among Woodin’s red flags are if a player talks poorly about
34 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
usavolleyball.org/mag
ON TOP OF IT: Simone Froley is making the most of her experi- ence at UC San Diego. (Photo: UC San Diego)
THE RIGHT FIT: Laura Kuhn, associate head coach at Kansas, looks for players who challenge teammates to improve the program. (Photo: Jeff Jacobsen)
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