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Post by munkysmart on Jun 4, 2004 12:20:52 GMT -5
I need some advice. I'm 17, junior in high school (well, senior now since I just finished finals) and I want to play in college next year. I'm 6'0'', can touch 10'11'', and play opposite. I'm a decent player, I personally think I'm better defensively than offensively; I need work on my hitting. My dream is to play for any DI or DII school but I'm not so confident with my skills.
I played for a decent club team and my high school team is a joke. They just started a boys program a couple years ago and almost everyone has never played vball before. My club team didn't go to nationals or anything and I've been told that's the only way to get noticed by college coaches. I'm gonna try to play for a higher caliber team this coming season ( SPVB or Adversity) but it'll be a stretch because I live pretty far from the facilities of either club, my parents aren't too happy about dishing out over $1000 for me playing vball, and once again I'm not so confident about my skills.
So what I want to know is how do I approach being noticed? Do college coaches look at you if you attend their summer camps (I plan on going to the OSU one in July)? Do I have to be an all-stater or win tons of awards to be noticed? I was looking at the Penn State roster and all their freshmen were Fab 50 picks so that dampens my hope. Ultimately my all time dream is to play for any DI school. But I would be happy playing for a DII team like Lewis or Quincy.
Sorry if I babbled, I just wanted to get my background out there. Any advice would be great, thanks!
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Post by sjhaysuess on Jun 4, 2004 13:18:15 GMT -5
The best thing I think for you to do is to send out tapes of you playing to the colleges that you are interested in. Then fill out the Athletic Questionnaire which is usually available online at the schools' website. Even though you're not on a great team there is still hope. You just have to work to get yourself noticed ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by roy on Jun 4, 2004 13:51:12 GMT -5
The best thing I think for you to do is to send out tapes of you playing to the colleges that you are interested in. Then fill out the Athletic Questionnaire which is usually available online at the schools' website. Even though you're not on a great team there is still hope. You just have to work to get yourself noticed ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Great advise. Tapes are probably the best way to get noticed by a program. A lot of international players do it since most recruiters wont come to their country to watch them play. Also, be sure to follow up with the coach or assistant coach. Show them that you are really interested in their program. Make sure they understand that you want to go their, even if you are looking at other schools. Also, your club coach or high school coach might try to put in a call for you as well. If you do plan on going to the summer camps, remember that it is not all about skill. Coaches want to win and thus, they will want someone talented, but they also want a kid with a great work ethic. It is pretty prevalent in a lot of programs (not just volleyball) but a coach will bring on a walk on who may not see a lot of playing time but will work thier butt off in the gym and make everyone else work hard around them. Also, if you have a dream school you would like to attend, don't be afraid to go to a junior college or some kind of program like that and transfer. If Penn State is your dream, you may not get in right away but going to a junior college with a volleyball program and working hard might get you into a great program. After training at that level for 2 years, you might be able to get noticed for a D1 program. Remember you can redshirt at that level as well, so one year as a redshirt and another as a player, you will have 3 years left of eligibility. Be realistic about your goals. If you want to try to play opposite, go for it but not a lot of programs will take a 6 foot opposite player. You may have a better shot at libero or as a serving specialist. Work on the skills that you can.
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Post by munkysmart on Jun 4, 2004 14:03:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice roy and hay. I've been pretty realistic with my goals. I know 'cuz of my height I can get overlooked so trying out for a libero position is something I'm up for. I've seen the questionnaires and should I start filling them now?
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Post by roy on Jun 4, 2004 18:43:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice roy and hay. I've been pretty realistic with my goals. I know 'cuz of my height I can get overlooked so trying out for a libero position is something I'm up for. I've seen the questionnaires and should I start filling them now? That I am not too sure what a good strategy would be. Many coaches already have a good idea about their 2005 recruiting class. I would think that the sooner you contact them, the better. Get your name out there and keep reminding them. Inquire about the program by sending an e-mail to the coaching staff. Wish them the best if you know they handle other clubs during the summer. That way, when they see you, they will remember you and are more likely to pick you up.
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Post by vb on Jun 4, 2004 20:09:25 GMT -5
Give it up. Change sports.
Not trying to sound like "Simon" but there are no 6' hitters lacking confidence playing at a high level. Best you convert to DS, get great at serving, and travel the distance to play club. You better get more motivated than what you are currently if you want to play at the next level. Remember, it is not the team that the coaches see on tape...it is you. Play-Play-Play
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Post by planetasia01 on Jun 4, 2004 23:17:35 GMT -5
Since you sound like you want to continue playing interscholastic volleyball after high school, dont count out NCAA D3 schools. I know its not the high glamor and high a level as D1/2, but its sure beats playing intercollegiate club ball, where you have to pay your own way for everything. Ive seen UC Santa Cruz, and all there outsides and opposites are 6'2 and under, so height really isnt an issue there anways...
And dont count out club ball. Better to play club than to gain 15 pounds your freshmen year in college (wait... that happened to me ;D). Theres many options if u want to play at that higher level, it just depends on how hard you want to work, and always leave yourself open minded to other options.
P.S. You'll be playing MEN's volleyball.. not BOYs volleyball if you know what i mean.
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Post by lewis7 on Jun 5, 2004 1:19:26 GMT -5
hey buddy, my best advice would be to go on avca.org and email all of the coaches you are interested in. even if you think you don't have a chance. maybe a coach will pass the word around. that happened to me. if they seem interested, send the video. not a skills tape. everyone looks good on those. send an actual game tape or two. don't dub it to make you look like a pro. they want actual game stuff. don't be shy about sending them to smaller schools such as naia or even club. club can be a career starter. or even a last resort. don't give up. keep trying and you will get your opportunity. be persistant. i was and it definitely paid off. all it takes is one guy saying he has potential and you are in. good luck jeff "X"
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Post by benwhipdrofn on Jun 5, 2004 12:14:53 GMT -5
something else to consider. If you get picked up by a DIV 3 or NAIA team, there are always possibilities that you will get noticed by a better school. I know of several players that have expanded their playing careers that way.
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