Recruiting Process

Flight Volleyball ● Home ● Recruiting Process

Step-by-Step Guide for Club Volleyball Players Seeking College Recruitment

At Flight Academy Volleyball, our mission is to prepare athletes not only for success on the court but also for opportunities at the collegiate level. The recruiting process is both exciting and challenging — it requires proactive effort, consistent communication, and a commitment to personal growth.

To help our players and families navigate this journey with confidence, we’ve created this step-by-step recruiting guide:

Step 1: Set Your Goals
  • Define Your Aspirations: Think beyond volleyball. What kind of college experience do you want? Consider academics, campus size, location, culture, majors, and extracurricular opportunities.
  • Determine Your Division Fit: Learn the differences between NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, and NJCAA. Each level offers unique opportunities and commitment levels. Be realistic about your current skill set while staying ambitious about your future.
  • Talk with Coaches & Family: Share your goals with your parents and Flight Academy coaches. Their guidance will help you align your athletic ability and academic interests with the right programs.
Step 2: Create an Athletic Profile
  • Gather Your Stats: Track key metrics like height, approach jump, block jump, vertical reach, position, and tournament results. These numbers help coaches quickly evaluate your potential fit for their program.
  • Highlight Video: Put together a 3–5 minute highlight reel that showcases your strengths — serving, defense, setting, attacking, and volleyball IQ. Keep it concise, clear, and attention-grabbing.
  • Player Bio: Include your GPA, test scores (if available), graduation year, and contact information. Coaches recruit the student-athlete, not just the athlete.
Step 3: Research Schools and Programs
  • Compile a List: Identify colleges that align with your academic goals, preferred location, and volleyball level.
  • Create Tiers: Break your list into three categories:
  1. Dream Schools (reach programs you’d love to attend)
  2. Target Schools (programs that match your current skill level and academics)
  3. Safety Schools (where admission and roster spots are more likely)
  • Know Their Needs: Research each program’s roster by position, recent graduates, and style of play.
Step 4: Register with Recruiting Platforms

  • SportsRecruits (Most Recommended): This is the primary tool we encourage all Flight Academy players (15U and older) to use. Every 15U+ Flight Academy athlete receives a paid SportsRecruits account included with club fees.

    1. Benefits:

  • Direct messaging system to connect with college coaches.
  • Verified profiles with video, transcripts, and schedules all in one place.
  • Analytics to track which colleges are viewing your profile and highlight videos.
  • Saves time by centralizing communication and ensuring coaches see your information.
  1. University Athlete (UA): Another useful platform, especially for national tournaments, as many college coaches use UA to track athletes. Make sure your UA profile is complete and updated.
  2. NCSA (Next College Student Athlete): Offers recruiting resources, education, and visibility. This can be a good supplement to your SportsRecruits account.
Step 5: Attend Camps and Showcases
  • Showcase Your Skills: Attend college ID camps, clinics, and showcases where coaches are actively recruiting. These are opportunities to be seen in person and demonstrate your abilities.
  • Network with Coaches: Meeting coaches face-to-face helps you build relationships and show your personality beyond highlight videos.
  • Learn & Grow: Camps provide valuable feedback from college coaches and allow you to experience different coaching styles.
Step 6: Connect with College Coaches
  • Use SportsRecruits as your primary tool to contact coaches. It allows you to:
  1. Send direct, professional messages to coaches.
  2. Share your profile, videos, and schedule with a single link.
  3. See when a college coach has viewed your profile — giving you real-time feedback on your recruiting progress.
  4. Benefit from accountability: both Flight Academy club directors can also see which colleges are viewing athlete profiles. This is a major advantage, because it helps our staff advocate for you, follow up with coaches, and make sure you’re getting the exposure you deserve.
  • Stay professional and personalize every message.
  • Follow up respectfully if you don’t hear back.
  • Ask Flight Academy coaches to contact college staff directly on your behalf.
Step 7: Maintain an Online Presence
  • Keep Profiles Updated: Regularly upload new highlight clips, updated stats, and upcoming tournaments to your SportsRecruits, UA, and NCSA profiles.
  • Social Media Matters: College coaches often check Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok. Keep your accounts professional, positive, and reflective of your character as a student-athlete.
Step 8: Focus on Academics
  • Eligibility Requirements: Stay on track with NCAA and NAIA core course requirements. A strong GPA opens more doors.
  • Testing Prep: Prepare for the SAT or ACT (if required by your schools). Take practice exams and consider tutoring if needed.
  • Balance: Learn time management skills to balance volleyball, schoolwork, and extracurricular activities.
Step 9: Evaluate Offers & Plan Visits
  • Campus Visits: Visit campuses to meet coaches, tour facilities, and get a feel for the environment. Attend practices or games if possible.
  • Ask Questions: Talk to current players about team culture, academics, and daily life.
  • Compare Offers: Consider more than just scholarships — look at academics, location, cost of living, campus life, and long-term career opportunities.
Step 10: Make Your Decision
  • Choose Wisely: Your decision should be based on a balance of academics, athletics, finances, and personal comfort.
  • Communicate Professionally: Notify the coach of the program you’ve chosen — and thank all other coaches who recruited you. Professional courtesy matters.
Step 11: Stay Engaged & Keep Growing
  • Stay in Touch: Keep your future coaches updated on your training, achievements, and academic progress.
  • Stay Committed: Once you’ve committed, keep working hard to prepare for the next level of play. Arrive ready to compete and contribute.
  • Never Stop Improving: Continue developing your skills, fitness, and mental game. College volleyball is demanding, and preparation now will pay off later.

The recruiting journey is about more than just finding a team — it’s about discovering the right college fit for your future. By following these steps, you’ll position yourself for success on and off the court.

At Flight Academy Volleyball, we’re here to support you every step of the way. With resources like our SportsRecruits memberships for all 15U and older athletes, dedicated coaches, and proven guidance, you’ll have the tools you need to chase your dream of becoming a collegiate volleyball player.