Every year, thousands of high school volleyball athletes across the country raise their hands and say, “I want to be recruited.” The dream of representing a college program is powerful—and for many, it’s a lifelong goal.
But here’s the reality: the odds of earning a roster spot or scholarship are still slim. While volleyball continues to grow, scholarship numbers haven’t changed much, and the level of competition keeps rising. Full rides are rare, and earning any opportunity requires effort, timing, and the right exposure.
Understanding College Volleyball Levels & Scholarships
When it comes to playing volleyball in college, each level—NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO—has its own rules and opportunities. Knowing the differences can help you find your best fit.
NCAA Division I
Starting in 2025–26, women’s volleyball becomes an equivalency sport with a roster limit of 18 players. Programs can divide their total scholarship dollars among athletes instead of being limited to 12 full rides, meaning more partial aid is available—but full scholarships are even harder to secure. The transfer portal has intensified competition: incoming transfers can claim roster spots that might have gone to high school recruits, making it much harder for freshmen to earn scholarships and playing time.
NCAA Division II
D-II volleyball allows up to 8 full-scholarship equivalents to be split among players, and coaches often spread that money across a larger roster. Partial scholarships are common, and the transfer portal adds another layer of difficulty: incoming college athletes can take spots that might have gone to new recruits, limiting opportunities for high school players.
NCAA Division III
D-III programs do not offer athletic scholarships, but strong academic and merit-based aid is available. Even here, high school athletes face increased competition as the transfer portal allows older players to move in, reducing available roster spots and making it harder for newcomers to earn playing time.
NAIA
NAIA programs can offer up to 8 full-scholarship equivalents and flexible aid packages. Smaller campuses can create immediate playing opportunities, but the transfer portal allows current college athletes to move in quickly, leaving fewer openings for high school recruits.
JUCO (Junior College)
JUCO programs—especially NJCAA Division I—offer full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and meals, but opportunities are extremely limited and competition is fierce. Athletes must perform at a high level right away, manage rigorous academics, and adapt quickly to a new environment. JUCO is often a two-year proving ground: only those who excel on and off the court earn the chance to transfer to a four-year program.
Bottom line: Not every athlete will have a place at the next level. College roster spots and scholarship dollars are limited, and coaches recruit based on skill set, athletic ability, and program needs. Whether your athlete’s goal is Division I or JUCO, getting recruited starts with developing the right skills, being seen, and standing out.
The Exposure Game: It’s Not Just About Being Good
Here’s the part many athletes and parents miss: talent, desire, and even playing on a top travel team aren’t enough. With tens of thousands of high school and club athletes competing nationwide, college coaches face a massive challenge identifying the right recruits. They rarely “discover” players by chance—they attend tournaments and showcases to evaluate athletes they’ve already been tracking through film, communication, and recommendations. That’s why having an independent evaluation of your athlete’s skill set, size, and athleticism is so important—it helps identify the programs where they could realistically compete and succeed.
That means:
- You need to be on a coach’s radar before they arrive at an event. Simply going to exposure tournaments does not guarantee exposure.
- Outreach must be targeted to schools where your athlete could realistically play; blindly sending emails to random coaches doesn’t work.
- Your highlight video, academic profile, and consistent communication matter just as much as your game performance. However, stagnant websites don’t work.
If you’re not visible, you’re invisible.
What You Must Do to Be Seen
Being identified by college coaches is harder than most athletes and parents realize. Talent alone isn’t enough—thousands of skilled players compete every year, and many miss opportunities simply because coaches never notice them. Academic performance, attitude, consistency, and early exposure all play a role in who gets attention. Even the most talented athletes can be overlooked if they aren’t visible in the right ways. Every year, players who could compete at the next level don’t, not because they lack skill, but because they weren’t seen enough.
The Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, the question isn’t “Can I be recruited?”—it’s “Am I doing what it takes to be recruited?”
If you’re serious about playing at the next level and want to know where you stand, it’s time to take the first step.
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National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.