When fall comes around, it can be a trying time for volleyball athletes and their families to effectively manage the college recruiting process. With summer now over, high school is back in action, and the volleyball club recruiting scene might seem like it’s so far out into the future.

For many, patience may be running low, and uneasiness may be setting in when it comes to recruiting. Rumours often swirl that every scholarship available is now gone, or only walk-on positions are still up for grabs.

When families are still looking for a good fit for their young athlete, this anxiousness can quickly turn into dread. And when one feels this, hasty decisions can easily be made that don’t necessarily meet the best interests of the player.

It is typically during this time of the year when college coaches tend to stay quiet during the recruiting process. This is to be expected as the collegiate season is just underway. Perhaps coaches are themselves re-evaluating their needs and what they are looking for. Factors such as which players are injured, which players didn’t pass their grades, and which players haven’t met expectations will affect recruiting needs.

The fall season is the time to begin thinking about what to re-evaluate before the first practice, including the following:

• Types and levels of schools that have been in contact
• Number of schools reached out to
• Number of schools that responded
• Whether or not academic interests have changed
• Openness to move to different a location
• What skill sets can be improved on

Considering the fact that colleges tend to be slow in the recruiting department over the next couple of months, families should take this time to re-evaluate certain factors, improve their volleyball skills and physical fitness, think about what they’re looking for in a school, and devise a list of programs to get in touch with.

It’s important that all videos and resumes are current and up-to-date. College coaches are looking out for current skill sets, grades, test scores, contact information, and club teams for the upcoming season.

While some programs may have said ‘no’ in the spring, they may change their answer based on changes that might have been made since then. Those who are patient and use this slow time in a positive way can put themselves in a better position to reach their goals once winter hits.