Create a recruiting profile that you can send to college coaches. 

There are both free and paid versions for recruiting sites. Some examples include: 

• Field Level
• NCSA
• BeRecruited
• Sports Recruits
• NSR

You may also want to create additional accounts that can store all of your volleyball footage such as: 

• Hudl
• YouTube
• Instagram

On your recruiting profile, be sure to include, at minimum, the following items:

• GPA (preferable core GPA ,if you have it)
• Current ACT score (or SAT, if applicable)
• Intended Major
• High School name and location
• Club name
• Position (try to limit it to your primary and secondary position)
• Height
• Contact information (email and/or phone number)

NOTE: Be sure to add your information to our Level Elite Recruiting Page on our website. You can do this by completing this Recruiting Form. If you have already completed the form and need to update your information or mark your commitment to a school, please email info.levelelite@gmail.com

Create a 2-3 minute game highlight video. 

• At the beginning of the video, include a picture of yourself, your name, graduation year, position(s), and contact information. 
• Categorize your video based on skills. (see below for some suggestions to include)

• Try to include at least one or two clips of a longer rally, if possible. 
• Finish the video with your contact information again. 

HUDL

Hudl is a great tool for creating highlights. Most schools already utilize this for their teams. Hudl can automatically break down film and create stats and highlights. It can easily be sent to coaches via a link. If you are wondering if your school or club team has a Hudl, then go to hudl.com/explore and search for your team or Google your school name + volleyball + Hudl. If your coach has input a roster, then you may have film linked to your name already. 

When selecting schools be sure to take into consideration the following factors.  Do not solely base your decision on the current coach because coaches change, and your ultimate goal for going to college is to get a degree. 

• Intended major- you are going to school for a degree so do not select a school that does not have the degree or degree path you are trying to obtain. 
• School location and size- take into consideration how you learn and how far you are willing to travel. Can you learn in a class size of 100 or is a class size of 30 more suitable for you? Can you stay away from your family for long periods of time (for example 3 months during volleyball season)?
• School amenities- does the school have the facilities you intend to need such as dorms, a cafeteria, study areas/tutors, etc.? 
• Time commitment- different divisions and programs have different time commitments to volleyball. Be sure to ask appropriate questions and select programs that match the expectations of your college experience.
  • For example- Division I is a full-time job year around, you will have 20 hours a week of practice, matches, and workouts during the season. You will have required training in the spring and the summer. On the other hand, Division III has more strict rules for when coaches can practice and work out the team so it may not be as rigorous as a Division I program.
  • Other things to consider with time- when are practices and weight training (morning or afternoon), the class schedule for your intended major and travel for games (are they mostly during the week or weekend matches), is there required study hall or film sessions, or would you be able to work in the off-season? 
• Program culture- what culture does the program have? How strict is the staff with their players? Are you going to be able to handle the demands of the team and keep your grades up? 
• Financial need- different divisions offer different financial assistance. Be sure you are clear on what financial assistance you will need. Take into consideration your GPA and ACT/SAT scores as well as your family's financial status. 
  • Division I offers full athletic scholarships that cover tuition, fees, room, and board.
  • Division II and NAIA can give partial athletic scholarships so you may have to combine this with your academic aid (if the school allows it). 
  • Division III does not give any athletic scholarships. 
  • Junior college may vary. Some can give full athletic scholarships, and others may only be able to offer tuition and fees, but not room and board. 
  • Do not discredit being on a full academic scholarship and participating on a college sports team. Academic scholarships can offer the same or more than an athletic scholarship, and still, give you an opportunity to play the sport. Being a "walk-on" or not on an "athletic scholarship" does not make you any less a part of the team or receive any fewer benefits. 

On your first round of contact schools, select at least 8 to 10 schools to reach out to.  Please be realistic with yourself about the type of school/program that is suitable for you. If you are wanting to play at a high-level DI school, but you are an outside who is 5 ft tall, it may be very difficult. However, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY IN COLLEGE, THERE IS ALWAYS A PLACE FOR YOU, AND IT JUST TAKES TIME TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT! 

College coaches look at the level of competition you are playing such as Club, Regional, or National. Generally speaking, the higher the level means the higher divisions for college. (This is not exact, but a general rule of thumb,)

Once you have created a recruiting profile, have a highlight film, and identified potential colleges, you should send emails to college coaches.

Be sure to include your basic information such as name, current classification (ex. 2023 senior), high school name and location, club name and location, position(s), height, vertical, GPA, ACT/SAT, intended major, and contact information. 

Also, be sure to add a personal touch for each school you contact. For example: if they have your specific position available; if you have a personal connection with the program, coach, or staff member; if you have attended prior games, camps, or clinics; if they have the intended major you are pursuing; etc.

NOTE: PLEASE BE SURE TO USE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS. An example of a non-professional email is cutiegirlvballer01@fancy.com. You should be using your email account, not a parent-listed email. Parents should have access to this email, but it needs to be the player's name.

Below is a suggested email format and content. 

SUBJECT: 2023 6' Setter/Right Side- Bailey Ball

Dear Coach Seals, 

My name is Bailey Ball, and I am a senior, 6-foot setter/right side from Volley High School in Volley, Alabama. 

I have been following Uptown State's volleyball program and noticed you are graduating a senior setter this season, and I would love the opportunity to talk with you about filling this position if it is still available. 

I have played on the varsity volleyball team at Volley High School as the starting setter since ninth grade, and I have played club at Level Elite Sports in Florence, AL for 6 seasons. I am currently on Level Elite 18 Red with Coach Brooke Beasley.  In high school, we run a 5-1 offense, but in club, we run a 6-2 where I also attack on the front row.  

My current core GPA is 4.0, and my intended major is business administration. I have taken the ACT a couple of times, and my highest score is 25. I plan to take it one more time in February. 

Below you will find highlights from both my most recent high school and club seasons, along with a link to my full recruiting profile. I have also attached my current club schedule.

Recruiting Profile: LINK

Senior Year- 2023 Volley High School: LINK

Junior Year- 2022 Level Elite Sports: LINK 

I believe I can be a great asset to Uptown State Volleyball with my determination and dedication to the sport. Thank you for taking the time to read my email, and I hope to be in touch with you soon!

Sincerely, 

Bailey Ball

Email-baileyball2023@gmail.com

Phone- 800-987-6543

GPA/ACT- 4.0/25

Height/Vertical- 6'0"/24"

NOTE: Coaches want to speak with YOU, not your parent. Although you still need some parent involvement, be aware that YOU need to be the primary person contacting the coaches and speaking with them about your accolades and your expectations. 

Once you have contacted your preferred schools, start to attend camps, clinics, and showcases where these coaches will be in attendance. You can research the school's athletics website for camps and clinics on campus and also keep an eye on social media for showcases these coaches may attend. 

Once you have built a relationship with the coach, be sure to ask them to attend your practice and/or tournaments. 

NOTE: Be aware that certain divisions restrict the type of communication coaches can have with players while recruiting. Some divisions do not allow any contact on the day of the event, some allow contact at the end of the event, and others allow contact at any time during the event. Do not think a coach is ignoring you if they do not stop and talk. It might just be they are not allowed to speak with you on that day in person. 

Be sure to continually stay in contact with your current prospective programs and also inform those programs you may no longer be interested in or have committed to a program.  

• When informing coaches you are no longer interested, a simple email can suffice. (If you can do it in person you will build better rapport, but if not an email will work.) In the email, you need not give any specifics. 
• Example- Dear Coach Seals, Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about Uptown State's Volleyball program. I have enjoyed speaking with you and visiting the campus to learn more about the program. However, I wanted to let you know that I have decided to pursue another program. Again, thank you for taking the time to speak with me, and I hope you have a great upcoming season! Sincerely, Bailey Ball

Don't forget to update your recruiting profile showing that you have committed to a program. 

When you are ready to commit, be sure to speak with that coach in person or via phone call. You can then follow up with an email but show your sincerity first by speaking with them directly. 

• Dear Coach Seals, Again, I am so excited to be a part of the Uptown State Volleyball program! I look forward to learning from you and the staff to grow my volleyball knowledge over the next four years. Please let me know what the next steps are, and I will get right on those. Sincerely, Bailey Ball