Junior Year Volleyball Recruiting: Your Complete Month-by-Month Guide

1. Create Your Recruiting Video (PRIORITY #1)

• Film 2-3 full matches from spring/summer club season
• Create 3-5 minute highlight reel (best kills, blocks, digs, serves, passing)
• Include 1-2 sets of full game footage (20-40 min total) so coaches can see consistency
• Upload to YouTube (make it public or unlisted, NOT private)
• Include intro/stats screen: Name, Position, Grad Year, Height/Reach, GPA, Club Team, Contact Info

💡 Why this matters: You'll need your video URL to include in emails starting September. Don't wait until the school year starts—you'll be too busy.

2. Build Your Target School List (15-25 Schools)

• Research 15-25 schools that fit your: Athletic level (D1/D2/D3/NAIA), Academic profile (GPA/test scores match their standards), Geographic preference (How far from home?), Major/program (Do they have your intended major?), Team culture (Watch their games online, follow social media)
• Break your list into: 5-7 "reach" schools (top programs, competitive), 10-12 "target" schools (realistic fit, good chance of playing time), 3-5 "safety" schools (strong fit, likely to get interest/offers)
• Find coach contact information (head coach + recruiting coordinator emails)

💡 Pro tip: Use tools like Ryloa to find verified coach emails and build your target list quickly.

3. Register with NCAA Eligibility Center (If You Haven't Already)

• Go to eligibilitycenter.org and create an account (choose D1 or D2)
• Registration is FREE if you do it before junior year (otherwise $115)
• Request your high school send transcripts to NCAA
• Review your core course requirements (make sure you're on track for 16 NCAA-approved core courses)

💡 Why this matters: Coaches can't officially recruit you until you're registered with NCAA. Do this summer if you haven't already.

4. Take Practice SAT/ACT Tests

• Download free practice tests from College Board (SAT) or ACT.org
• Take at least one full practice test to establish a baseline score
• If your score is below where you need it (check your target schools' average SAT/ACT), start test prep now
• Plan to take your first official SAT/ACT in fall or winter of junior year

5. Attend Summer Showcases or ID Camps (Optional But Helpful)

• Consider attending 1-2 summer showcases (AAU Nationals, club championships, regional showcases)
• Attend 1-2 ID camps at schools you're seriously interested in (face-to-face eval by coaches)

💡 Reality check: Camps/showcases are helpful but NOT required. Many athletes get recruited without attending expensive showcases. Prioritize video + email outreach first, camps second.

6. Draft Your Intro Email Template

• Write a solid intro email template you can personalize for each coach
• Include: Brief introduction, Position and grad year, Key stats (kills/set, hitting %, blocks/set, etc.), Height/reach, GPA, Club team and high school, Link to recruiting video, Why you're interested in THAT SPECIFIC school (personalize this part), Call-to-action (request phone call, Zoom meeting, or campus visit)

💡 You'll start sending these emails in September, so draft the template now while you have time.

1. Email 20-30 Coaches (PRIORITY #1)

• When: Early September (first 2 weeks)
• Who: Head coach + recruiting coordinator at each school (email both)
• What: Send your intro email with stats, video, and why you're interested in their program
• How many: Aim for 20-30 schools in September (you'll email more in follow-up waves)

💡 Pro tip: Personalize EVERY email. Spend 3-5 minutes per school researching their team (recent results, coaching philosophy, why you'd be a good fit). Generic copy-paste emails get ignored.

2. Fill Out Recruiting Questionnaires

• Visit the athletics website of each school you're interested in
• Go to Women's Volleyball → Recruiting → "Prospective Student-Athlete Questionnaire"
• Fill out the form completely (takes 5-10 min per school)
• Include link to your recruiting video in the "Additional Info" section

💡 Do this IN ADDITION TO emailing coaches (not instead of). Some programs require questionnaires, others don't check them. Email is more effective.

3. Register with NCAA Eligibility Center (If You Didn't Do This Summer)

• If you didn't register over summer, DO IT NOW in September
• This is non-negotiable if you're targeting D1 or D2 schools
• Request transcripts sent to NCAA ASAP

4. Update Your Social Media Profiles

• Optimize Instagram and Twitter bios: Position | Grad Year | Height | GPA | Video Link | Email
• Make sure accounts are PUBLIC (coaches need to be able to see them)
• Clean up any inappropriate old posts (coaches WILL check your social media)
• Start posting training content, match highlights, and achievements

5. Plan Fall Campus Visits (2-4 Schools)

• Identify 2-4 schools within driving distance (or schools you'll be near for tournaments)
• Email coaches to schedule unofficial visits for October-November
• Best time: During their home match weekends (watch them play!)

1. Follow Up with Coaches Who Didn't Respond (Week 3-4 of September Email)

• When: 2-3 weeks after your initial email
• Who: Coaches who haven't responded yet (don't give up!)
• What: Send a brief follow-up email with an update (recent match performance, new stats, tournament results)

2. Take 2-4 Unofficial Visits

• Visit schools you scheduled in September (prioritize schools that responded positively)
• Best time: During home match weekends (watch them play, meet the team, feel the atmosphere)
• Come prepared with questions for coaches (program philosophy, playing time, academic support, etc.)
• Bring: Recruiting resume (1-page PDF with stats, video link, GPA), transcripts (unofficial copy), questions list, parent/guardian
• Send thank-you email within 24-48 hours after each visit

3. Email Second Wave of Coaches (10-15 More Schools)

• If you only emailed 20-30 schools in September, email 10-15 more in October
• Include schools you discovered after researching, or schools that weren't on your initial list
• Use the same intro email template (personalized for each school)

4. Calculate Your Core GPA and Check NCAA Progress

• Calculate your CORE COURSE GPA (not overall GPA—only the 16 NCAA-approved core courses count)
• Meet with your high school counselor to make sure you're on track for NCAA eligibility
• Check: Do you have 10 of 16 core courses completed before senior year? (D1 requirement)
• If not on track, adjust your schedule NOW (don't wait until senior year)

5. Update Your Recruiting Video (If Needed)

• If you have new highlights from early fall season, add them to your video
• Keep video current (coaches want to see your most recent play)
• Update stats screen with October tournament results

1. Take SAT/ACT (First Attempt if You Haven't Already)

• Register for November or December SAT/ACT test date
• Send scores to NCAA using code 9999
• If you score below your target, plan to retake in spring or summer

2. Attend 2-3 Winter ID Camps at Top Choice Schools

• Most schools host winter ID camps in December or early January
• Prioritize schools that have shown interest (responded to emails, invited you to visit)
• Come prepared to showcase your skills and compete hard
• Use camp as an opportunity to talk with coaches one-on-one

3. Send End-of-Fall-Season Update Email to All Coaches

• Subject: "End-of-Season Update: 2027 [Position] | [Your Name]"
• Include: Fall season stats, team achievements, individual awards, updated video link, spring tournament schedule
• Reaffirm interest in their program

4. Research Academic Requirements for Your Target Schools

• Check average SAT/ACT scores and GPA for admitted student-athletes
• Make sure your academic profile aligns with each school's standards
• If you're borderline, focus on improving grades and test scores in spring semester

5. Narrow Your List to Top 8-10 Schools

• Based on coach responses, campus visits, and your priorities, narrow your list
• Focus your energy on the 8-10 schools that are best fits (athletically, academically, culturally, geographically)
• Don't completely drop other schools yet—just prioritize your favorites

1. Take Official Visits (If Offered)

• If coaches offer official visits, TAKE THEM (it's a strong signal they want to recruit you)
• You're allowed 5 official visits total for D1 schools (use them wisely)
• Official visits are 48 hours max, school pays for travel/food/lodging
• Use this time to evaluate: Do you like the campus? Do you connect with the team? Can you see yourself here for 4 years?

2. Continue Email Updates (Monthly Check-Ins)

• Send monthly update emails to your top 8-10 schools (even if they haven't responded recently)
• Include: Recent training updates, winter tournament results, academic achievements, reaffirm interest

3. Register for Spring SAT/ACT (If You Need to Retake)

• If your November/December scores weren't where you needed them, register for March/April/May test dates
• Most students improve 50-100+ points SAT on second attempt

4. Plan Spring Unofficial Visits (If You Haven't Visited Yet)

• Schedule 2-3 more unofficial visits to schools you're seriously considering
• Best time: During spring season (Feb-Apr) when you can watch matches