Dianne DeNecochea | Former Pro Beach Player, College Volleyball Recruiting Advisor
This is a crazy time for the world, and it spreads into each of our lives and all areas of our lives. Physical health. Mental health. School. Sports. Work.
It’s just tough!
As a volleyball coach, volleyball parent and recruiting advisor, I want you to know I believe we are going to be OK. There will still be college volleyball – if not in some capacity this fall, then delayed or next season. You are still going to have an opportunity to play in college, so hang on to your dream. I know it sounds cliché, but you can only control what YOU can control. It’s YOUR response that matters, and that’s all you can do.
We’re coming up on the indoor college season. The official start date with coaches in the gym is August 10. Some players are on campuses in July for voluntary workouts. To keep players safe, colleges are taking important safety precautions and following protocols. For instance, the arrival of players on campus is staggered, and they are staying in small groups or “pods” for housing and workouts. Players may be asked to quarantine on arrival and wear masks when they aren’t on the volleyball court.
In this uncertain climate, what should YOU do as an incoming freshman, sophomore, junior or senior? Before I answer that question, it’s important for you to understand that every college volleyball program had a good idea of their recruiting needs BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. (Meaning, what position they need and have a “roster spot” for – either scholarship or walk-on.) For example, coaches knew whether they were finished with the 2021 recruiting class or if they were still looking for uncommitted seniors. Some coaches may have known they were finished with their 2021s, were working on 2022s and starting to evaluate the 2023 class. Some schools may have known their needs all the way through 2024.
Not business as usual
Once the pandemic hit, the recruiting boat was rocked. Conferences like the Ivy League (DI) and the NESCAC (DIII) have already announced there will be no fall season. Many conferences and schools remain in a wait-and-see mode while monitoring the COVID-19 landscape and deciding how to move forward. Their questions are everybody’s questions. Will the season be canceled? Will it start later with no preseason games? Will it be postponed until early 2021? And so on.
In the spring of 2020, when the college beach volleyball season was canceled, the NCAA decided players could have another year of eligibility. If the college indoor season is canceled or they play a low number of matches, this could become a real situation for indoor college players. Maybe they will have another year of eligibility; if a player takes that year and plays, the program’s recruiting needs may change.
Money is tight
The pandemic has also rocked volleyball’s financial boat. Programs across the country are figuring out how to operate with a smaller budget. This will affect team travel, uniforms, gear and their RECRUITING BUDGET. Coaches may need to recruit closer to their campus and more regionally because they won’t have the money to travel across the country to evaluate players.
Public colleges may also recruit more “in-state” players because the scholarship will cost less in tuition than for “out-of-state” players. With some players possibly staying another year, money coaches would have allocated to future players may be needed for the player who is staying. Coaches will have a LOT to think about and consider.
Communication between coach and player is different
The dead period, a time frame when DI coaches have not been allowed to do in-person evaluations of players or have face-to-face meetings, was instituted after the pandemic/shutdown hit in March. It has been extended repeatedly, most recently from July 31 to August 31. It could be extended again.
Because coaches haven’t been able to recruit in person or evaluate players at tournaments, player-coach interactions are done via phone/video/virtual meetings. Evaluation of players is all through video. Coaches are using this time to get to know players.
So, back to the question: What should YOU do as an incoming freshman, sophomore, junior or senior? Again, I really believe you can only control YOU and how you handle a situation. This challenge is yours! You still have to own your recruiting process and make your dream of playing college volleyball happen.
To help you adjust to the changes, I have created a CHECKLIST for College Volleyball Recruiting during COVID-19 with specific suggestions for what you can do right now.
The main point I want to convey is that it’s harder for coaches to find you. You have to reach out! Remember, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” especially during this pandemic.
Here are my tips:
- Contact every school on your target list every week to two weeks.
- Video is extremely important right now. Edit your 2-3 minute highlight video grouping by skill and showcase your strengths.
- After the initial “Intro Email” (with highlight video), send a “Check-In Email” one to two weeks later. This should include a highlight video of current private lessons, group practices or group lessons.
- Every week or two, send another “Check-In Email” with video of you working out, doing plyometrics/jump training, weight lifting, etc. Only send unedited game video after you know they need your position in your grad year or if a college coach specifically asks you for unedited video of a whole set. Go through video from early 2020 (before the pandemic) as well as your 2019 high school season. Find the best set you can. Of course, you will have errors in all sets (volleyball is a game of errors), but you should choose the set with the most aggressive errors. Better to be hitting hard and out (deep) or along the sideline than into the bottom of the net. Passing errors where the setter can still set at least one hitter are OK, but don’t include a set where you are getting aced as a primary passer. Just do your best with this. Coaches understand that players rarely (if ever) play a perfect game.
- Open up your target list and add more schools. Go to the NCAA Membership Schools tool and scan the areas of the country you are willing to go. If you’re not considering all divisions, filter to the specific ones you’re targeting. Contact at least 30+ schools every two weeks. I know it sounds like a lot, but it’s summer break, so use this time wisely and treat it like a summer class!
- Work hard to find out if the school needs your position in your grad year for indoor. Ask this question in every email. For beach, find out if they’re recruiting a player in your grad class who plays your side and fills your role (primary defender, blocker or split blocker). If the answer is “No,” move the school off your list and add another school. Your list is ever-evolving.
- Set up phone calls with coaches who need your position in your grad year and are responding to you. Get to know them and allow them to get to know you. A question I like for players to ask college coaches is: “Why do your players love playing volleyball for your program and going to school at (NAME OF SCHOOL)?”
- If you’re further along in the process, don’t be afraid to ask these questions:
- Where am I on your list?
- Where do you see me fitting in to your program?
- When are you looking to make a decision?
This information could be very helpful, and it will also give you a better understanding of your recruiting process in general.
College coaches know that this is a very tough time for volleyball recruits. Players who rise to the occasion, stay proactive and remain persistent will stand out and move to the top of their list. If you have been diligent about contacting them, they will evaluate you live as soon as they can. Show coaches that you have no fear during this time and are tenacious. Every college coach wants a hard-working, tenacious player with good character.
Volleyball will survive and overcome this pandemic. Stay strong! Stay persistent! Be proactive! You can continue succeeding in the recruiting process during this pandemic, and you will do great!
Dianne DeNecochea played indoor volleyball at the University of Tennessee and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2007. She was a top pro beach player from 1999 to 2013. Since her retirement as a player, she has formed a company, ProActive Volley, that helps young players with the college recruiting process. She also coaches club volleyball in the 12's and 14's age groups in San Diego.
