Women's Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines

DI Tier 1 (Upper level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 3-4 year varsity starter
•Team Captain
•Generally attend a large high school (4A, 5A, 6A) with a nationally recognized volleyball program.
•Recognized early in their high school career with all-state, all-conference, all-region honors.
•High School All-Americans, Volleyball Magazine All-American 

Club Experience:
•Extensive National level club experience, 5+ years
•High placement at National Tournaments
-Colorado Crossroads, Pacific NW, Hooiser Mideast, Big South, Northeast, SoCal, Lone Star, Far Western, Northern Lights
-AAU Nationals - Orlando, FL
-Reno Volleyball Festival – Reno, NV
-USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships
•All-American, USA JO All-Tournament recognition 

National Experience:
•Junior, Youth, or USA Select National Team
•High Performance Camps & Regional Teams
•USA HP Championships 

The average characteristics by position are below: 

DI Tier 2 (Mid-Lower level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 2-3 year varsity starter
•Team Captain
•Most athletes come from a large high school although an outstanding player from a small school could also be a fit with the appropriate club experience.
•All-State, All-Region, All-Conference 

Club Experience:
•National level club experience, 3+ years or extensive club experience outside the national level (5+ years).
•National Tournament Attendance
-Colorado Crossroads, Pacific NW, Hooiser Mideast, Big South, Northeast, SoCal, Lone Star, Far Western, Northern Lights
-AAU Nationals - Orlando, FL
-Reno Volleyball Festival – Reno, NV
-USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships 

National Experience:
•High Performance Camps & Regional/State Teams
•USA HP Championships  

The average characteristics by position are below: 

DII Tier 1 (Upper level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 2-3 year varsity starter
•Team Captain
•Most players earn All-Region, All-Conference honors during their high school career.
•Tend to be from larger schools, but a smaller school candidate is also an option with the appropriate club experience.  

Club Experience:
•Club experience, 3+ years or 2+ years with a National level club.
•National Tournament Attendance preferred, but not required
-Colorado Crossroads, Pacific NW, Hooiser Mideast, Big South, Northeast, SoCal, Lone Star, Far Western, Northern Lights
-AAU Nationals - Orlando, FL
-Reno Volleyball Festival – Reno, NV
-USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships 

The average characteristics by position are below: 

Special Note: Many upper level DII programs are highly competitive and would be equal to a mid-lower level DI program.  

DII Tier 2 (Lower level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 1-2 year varsity starter
•Possible award such as All-league, All-Conference 

Club Experience:
•Club experience, 2+ years
•National Tournament Attendance preferred, but not required 

The average characteristics by position are below: 

DIII Tier 1 (Upper level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 2-3 year varsity starter
•Team Captain
•Most players earned honors such as All-State, All-Conference, All-Region during their high school career.  

Club Experience:
•Club experience, 3+ years or 2+ years with a National level club.
•National Tournament Attendance preferred, but not required 

The average characteristics by position are below: 

Special Note: Most upper level DIII volleyball players would be very similar to a mid level DII player. 

DIII Tier 2 (Mid-Lower Level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•1+ year varsity starter 

Club Experience:
•Some club experience is preferred, but not totally necessary 

The average characteristics by position are below: 

NAIA Tier 1 (Upper level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 2-3 year varsity starter
•Team Captain
•Most players earn All-Region, All-Conference during high school career 

Club Experience:
•Club experience, 3+ years or 2+ years with a National level club.
•National Tournament Attendance preferred, but not required
-Colorado Crossroads, Pacific NW, Hooiser Mideast, Big South, Northeast, SoCal, Lone Star, Far Western, Northern Lights
-AAU Nationals - Orlando, FL
-Reno Volleyball Festival – Reno, NV
-USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships 

The average characteristics by position are below: 

Special Note: Many upper level NAIA programs are highly competitive and would be equal to a mid-lower level DI program. Most upper level NAIA volleyball players would be very similar to an upper level DII player. 

NAIA Tier 2 (Lower level) Candidate:

High School Experience:
•Generally 1-2 year varsity starter
•Possible award such as All-league, All-Conference 

Club Experience:
•Club experience, preferably 2+ years
•National Tournament Attendance preferred, but not required 

Preferred Grades for All Divisions:
3.0 GPA +24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
(No scores needed for underclassmen) 

In order to compile these Recruiting Guidelines, NCSA tracked hundreds of former NCSA student-athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, polled college coaches across the nation, and analyzed college rosters at all levels of competition. 

Volleyball by the Numbers

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships. 

Note: NAIA schools may vary in the amount of scholarships offered.