Women's Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines

Division I

Low Candidate: 

• 2x Varsity Starter
• National/Elite level club experience
• 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
• All-State recognition as a junior
  • Small high school (1A, 2A, 3A)
• All- Region, Area, Conference, District, County, League recognition as a junior
  • Large high school (4A, 5A)

Medium Candidate: 

• USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships
• Recognition as a sophomore
• Team Captain
• PrepVolleyball.com recognition
  • Frosh 59, Soph 79, Top 50 Junior Recruits
  • Senior Aces
  • Defensive Dandies
  • High School All-American
• National High Performance Camp
  • USA Select
    • Developmental A1, Developmental A2
  • Youth National Team
    • Developmental A1, Developmental A2
  • Junior National Team
    • Developmental A1
• Regional High Performance
  • Regional Team
  • USA High Performance Championships

High Candidate: 

• National High Performance Team
  • USA Select Team
    • National/A1, A2
  • Youth National Team
    • National/A1, A2
  • Junior National Team
    • National/A1, A2
• USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships All-Tournament Selection
• All-America Selection
  • AVCA, Volleyball Magazine, PrepVolleyball.com, Gatorade

The average characteristics by position are below: 

Libero/Defensive Specialist 

• Height 5'7' (5'5'-5'10')
• Weight 125 lbs
• Vertical 24'+
• Years Varsity 3.2
• Years Club 4.5

MH 

• Height 6'2'(6'0'-6'4')
• Weight 155 lbs
• Block Jump 9'3'
• Approach Jump 9'9'+10'0' Preferred
• Years Varsity 3
• Years Club 3.7

OH/RS 

• Height 5'11' (5'10'-6'0')
• Weight 140 lbs
• Block Jump 9'1'
• Approach Jump 9'8'
• Years Varsity 3.5
• Years Club 4

Setter 

• Height 5'10' (5'8'-6'1')
• Weight 130 lbs
• Block Jump 9'0'
• Approach Jump 9'3'
• Years Varsity 3
• Years Club 5

Division II

Low Candidate: 

• Varsity Starter
• Club experience

Medium Candidate: 

• National/Elite level club experience
• 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
• All-State, Region, Area, Conference, District, County, League recognition as a senior
  • Small high school (1A, 2A, 3A)

High Candidate: 

• Team Captain
• All-State, Region, Area, Conference, District, County, League recognition as a junior
  • Small high school (1A, 2A, 3A)
• All-Region, Area, Conference, District, County, League recognition as a junior
  • Large high school (4A, 5A)
• USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships
• Regional High Performance
  • Regional Team
  • USA High Performance Championships

The average characteristics by position are below: 

Libero/Defensive Specialist 

• Height 5'6'+
• Weight 125 lbs
• Vertical 20'
• Years Varsity 2.5
• Years Club 3.7

MH 

• Height 6'0'
• Weight 150 lbs
• Block Jump 9'2'
• Approach Jump 9'7'
• Years Varsity 2.5
• Years Club 3.5

OH/RS 

• Height 5'10'
• Weight 145 lbs
• Block Jump 9'0'
• Approach Jump 9'5'
• Years Varsity 2.5
• Years Club 3.8

Setter  

• Height 5'8'
• Weight 135 lbs
• Block Jump 8'9'
• Approach Jump 9'1'
• Years Varsity 2.5
• Years Club 4

Division III

Low Candidate: 

• Varsity Starter

Medium Candidate: 

• Club experience

High Candidate: 

• National Level Club experience
• 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
• All-State, Region, Area, Conference, District, County, League recognition as a senior
• Small high school (1A, 2A, 3A)
• All- Region, Area, Conference, District, County, League recognition as a senior
• Large high school (4A, 5A)
• Team Captain

The average characteristics by position are below: 

Libero/Defensive Specialist 

• Height 5'4'+
• Weight 115 lbs
• Vertical 16'
• Years Varsity 2
• Years Club 2

Middle Hitter 

• Height 5'11'
• Weight 145 lbs
• Block Jump 9'0'
• Approach Jump 9'5'
• Years Varsity 2
• Years Club 3

Outside Hitter/Right Side 

• Height 5'8'
• Weight 140 lbs
• Block Jump 8'10'
• Approach Jump 9'0'
• Years Varsity 2.5
• Years Club 3

Setter  

• Height 5'7'
• Weight 135 lbs
• Block Jump 8'7'
• Approach Jump 9'0'
• Years Varsity 2
• Years Club 3.5

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.