Volleyball scholarship for a 9th grade male

Question
Hi

I am a freshman in high school, and I am looking to get a scholarship to college. Could you provide me with some tips or things to do to help me get there? I play club volleyball, and I have led my team to a 5th place finish in Ontario, and a 2nd place finish in Canadian Nationals last year. We have had a great season so far this year, with my team seeded 3rd in provincials this year(last year we were 8th). Also, this is only my second year playing, and I am already starting middle for my team. Based on the above acievements, is there a possibility that college volleyball could be for me? If you would like, I could piece together a 20 to 30 second highlight video for you, too.
Thanks for your help!
Richard

Answer
Hello Richard!

Thank you for visiting www.allexperts.com!  Here is what I recommend to anyone who is interested in playing college vball.

a) Make a skills tape.  Send it out to whatever college coaches you wish.  Yes, I'd enjoy seeing anything you want to put together.  One option is posting it on YouTube and sending me the link.  

b) Follow up.  Contact by email/text/phone each of these coaches once a week and don't stop until a coach tells you, "I'm not interested."  

c) Visit the schools.  Watch the teams play.  If you're not impressed, then scratch that school off your list.

d) What does the school offer academically?  If you don't like it (or you don't have the grades), then scratch it also.

e) Go to their summer camps.  Meet the coaching staff.  Get to know them.  

f)  PLAY CLUB BALL!  You tell me that you're already doing that.  Contact the college coaches and tell them where you will be playing.

If someone reading this doesn't play club ball, send the coaches your high school schedule, but don't expect a coach to see you play school ball.  

You say this is only your 2nd year playing.  OK, you may be a little behind the other boys your age who've been playing school, club and beach since the page of 10 or 12.  You may not be able to catch up.......but you have to try!  

g) I have had very few "scouts" see my players.  But many parents and players think scouts are at every tournament.   Maybe they are.  I don't know.  College coaches evaluate my players by what they see on DVD's and what they see in person.  That's about it.  (If you're a scout and you see me at BigSouth, Shamrock, NEQ, etc. this season, please hand me a business card. I want to meet one.)

h) Do your work in the wt. room!  Don't overdo it, but don't ignore it.  Do what the basketball players or baseball players do.  No, you don't have to keep up with the football team!  haha

I think that's about covered it.  What else can I do for you?

Please visit me at www.coachhouser.com  I think you'll like the smiling faces.

Coach Houser