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Women’s Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines: What Coaches Look for

Female volleyball players after game

Coaches aren’t just recruiting athletes based on their size—they also have a list of skills those recruits need to execute, such as vertical jump, standing reach, attack jump and approach jump. We worked with our partner the American Volleyball Coaches Association to get numbers around these volleyball-specific measurements. AVCA has hosted combines and tested volleyball players during college tournaments at all division levels. They compiled the data in their avcaVPI™ database to provide the average scores of college-level volleyball players, plus the scores in the top 80th percentile. We’ve included these numbers below to give families a good idea of where athletes need to be at to compete at the college level—and at the most competitive level.

How to use the volleyball recruiting guidelines

To get an idea of what it takes to be a college volleyball player, athletes need to consider multiple factors. These desired measurables for their position and necessary club experience. Here’s why each of these factors are important to include:

These guidelines aren’t going to answer every question on how good an athlete needs to be, but they are meant to be used as just that: guidelines. Families should use them to get a better understanding of what division levels their athlete is best suited for. 

Volleyball recruiting tip: College coaches are always interested in seeing a recruit’s third-party verified stats. This shows the coach that an impartial measurer accurately captured these numbers, versus the recruit inventing them or taking them on imperfect equipment. The easiest way to get verified numbers is to go to the AVCA College Prep Combine.

What is the average vertical jump?

The average vertical jump for a college volleyball player is 18 to 20 inches. Outside hitters, right side hitters and middle blockers typically have a higher vertical jump than other positions. 

How to jump higher in volleyball 

Exercises that build power, strength and flexibility in the lower body can help increase a player’s vertical jump. Improvements will take time, but with consistent training, these exercises can help you gain inches to your vertical.

What is a good standing reach for volleyball?

A 7’9” standing reach is the college average for middle blockers and outside and right side hitters. The college-level standing reach for setters is approximately 7’5”, and liberos should be around 7”.

Outside hitter recruiting guidelines

SkillCollege Average80th Percentile of College Athletes
Standing reach7’9″7’10.5″
Attack jump9’1″9’5″
Vertical jump19.9″22.6″
Block jump9’1″9’5″

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

NAIA

Opposite or right-side hitter recruiting guidelines

SkillCollege Average80th Percentile of College Athletes
Standing reach7’9″8’1″
Attack jump9’3″9’7″
Vertical jump20.5″23.2″
Block jump9’3″9’7″

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

NAIA

Middle blocker recruiting guidelines

SkillCollege Average80th Percentile of College Athletes
Standing reach7’9″8’1″
Attack jump9’3″9’7″
Vertical jump19.8″23.1″
Block jump9’3″9’6.5″

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

NAIA

Setter recruiting guidelines

SkillCollege Average80th Percentile of College Athletes
Standing reach7’4.5″7’8.5″
Attack jump8’9″9’1″
Vertical jump18.9″21.5″
Block jump8’9.5″9’1.5″

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

NAIA

Libero recruiting guidelines

SkillCollege Average80th Percentile of College Athletes
Standing reach7’0″7’2.5″
Attack jump8’5″8’8.5″
Vertical jump18.3″20.4″
Block jump8’3.5″8’8″

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

NAIA