It's Not Always About Height

This is one thing that I find plenty of families get wrong in the recruiting process. One of the biggest reason is that NCSA has created these "standards" on how tall an athlete needs to be in order to play at a certain level. These "standards" are misleading and in many cases flat out false. Looking at the numbers, you see that everything trends from tallest to shortest, with the tallest athletes playing at the highest level. This type of "trickle down" idea in recruiting hurts more than it helps. Here's why.

West Texas Volleyball

Currently on their roster they have 4 MB listed above 6'2" and 2 others that are listed as 6'. Now, maybe told these athletes that they were "tall enough" to play D1, but I doubt that's the case. WT also has a setter that is 6' and she is running a 6-2 with another setter. Maybe they missed the memo, but I think it's more about the fact that in order to be a Top 25 team at the D2 level you need some overall size to match the physical play at that level. WT also has an OH leading them in kills that is 5'11". Now you might not believe me, but that makes her "tall enough" to play in the PAC-12 (check out this podcast HERE). WT is just one example, there are more out there.

If you have the idea or even mentality that, "Well, I'm only 5'10" so I might not be tall enough to play D1, but I could play D2," I think you're missing on a bunch of different factors. The biggest one being overall talent and level of play. There is a vast difference between the top of D1 and the bottom. Similarly there is a gap between the top of D2 and the bottom. The same goes for NAIA. Even conference to conference there is going to be a gap in the level. Some conferences have bigger gaps than others, but chances are there is still going to be a gap.

This is why we HAVE to look at more factors besides height when figuring out where we are going to play. Overall physicality certainly gives us a better idea.

How hard do you hit the ball?

How high can you jump?

How fast can you move?

This evaluation can certainly include your height, but it's just one factor of several that college coaches are evaluating.

Where do you fit? Where is your personal level of play and ability going to MATCH that of the players around you? Players on your side of the net and players on the opposite side of the net go into this consideration and evaluation. Programs at the bottom of the conference aren't trying to stay there. Do you make the program better?

So lets have that discussion. Skill level. Talent level. Where do you fit? One of the BEST ways to do this is to go watch college volleyball at different levels. Chances are there is a pretty good volleyball team playing near you that you could check out. Go to a game or two! Enjoy it. Volleyball is awesome :)

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