I just want to play college ball!

Question
QUESTION: I am a Sophomore in college. I played volleyball for 3 years in high school and I was extremely good at it. However, I didn't continue my freshman year because I wanted to concentrate on my grades first. My question is how do I get on the college level in volleyball? I have been training like crazy and I must say I am seeing my legs get stronger, but I am questioning myself because I didn't have the opportunity to attend camps and tournaments like most. I know my skills though and I really want to play college ball.

Questions:
1. What are good and great standing reaches, approach jump, and block jump for someone that's 5'6?
2. Is there any advice that you may have for me to become a college level athlete that hasn't had any experience as a child?
3. Tryouts are in February. I'm sure there are spots for recruits. How can I stand out from the others?

ANSWER: Good morning Jasmine and welcome to www.allexperts.com!

I see that you played in high school, but then you say you didn't have the opportunities.  Are you saying that yes you played, but no you didn't have a situation where you could play club ball?

Your situation is this:  Regardless of how hard you condition/practice, it will depend on the level of ball that your school plays.  Are you attending UT?  Then....you have to almost be a 1 in 100,000 player to make that team.  Those women started in the 4th or 5th grade, played club ball every year, they're the best of the best from all over the country.  Or are you attending Chattanooga? or Middle Tenn St?  You may have to be a 1 in 50,000 player to make those teams. (No disrespect intended for the Chat & MTS people. I'm just creating a scenario for Jasmine.)  Now, if you're attending a D3 school, then heck yeah, you may a good chance of making the team.  If you're attending a community college (if they are like what we have here in Virginia), then you may make the team and be the MVP.  

When my teams attend tournaments, the question is asked: "How will we do today?"  The answer is: "How good is our competition?"  haha   Same thing for you.  "Can I make the college team?"  The answer is:  "How good are the players on the team?"  

Some athletes at this point say, "Well, then I'm transferring!"  OK, but TOP PRIORITY:  Ask several people in the know in your school athletic department whether you will be eligible.  Then ask the corresponding people at the school you're considering transferring to:  Will you be eligible?

Now, to your other questions:  
1.  I'm estimating good:  5'6" standing reach: 6'10".  approach jump: 8'.  Block jump:  7'8".
My stepdaughter was 5'6" and played front row at Radford University.  He jumping was probably 6" higher than these.  
2.  See above.  
3.  You will stand out if you can help the team win/succeed. Most colleges do not keep women who will do nothing but watch from the bench, regardless of their cheerleaderness or their character.  Most coaches need to believe that you can help them on the court.  So, (a) keep training (b) can you get onto the college club team? (c) try your best to play doubles all spring & summer (d) can you join a USAV women's team?  

I hope that this helps some.
Please let me know what else we can do for you here at www.allexperts.com.
And if you want to email me personally, you can find me at [email protected].
Thanks and hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Coach Houser



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you. I attend Tennessee State University. How do you feel about the chances of making that team? Yes, I have played ball for 3 yrs but I haven't had the opportunity to attend tournaments. I'm not exactly sure about playing for USAV women's team at this point because I am only a sophomore. I have to try to make the team as soon as possible in order to compete.

Answer
Good morning again!

* I have never seen Tennessee State play.  
* Even more importantly, I haven't seen you play.  :)  

I still don't know if I completely understand what you're saying:  Are you saying you have played 3 years of HIGH school ball?   And when you say, "I haven't had the opportunity," are you saying that you didn't play club ball while in high school?  If this is the case, then for most college programs, you have only played about 1/3 as much as they would want you to have played.  

I have looked at the TSU vball website.  They are D1 and they were 18-11 this past fall, 4-2 outside of their conference.  Shew!  That's doing pretty well.  

From being around vball so long, I would say you have a very small chance of making the team.  HOWEVER, is this your dream?  Is this your goal?  If so, then contact the coach, ask her for a tryout, and go for it!  You've got nothing to lose.  :)  But, if you do nothing, then 5 years from now, you'll be kicking yourself, saying, "Why didn't I?"  Go for it.  

If you want to chat more in a non-public setting, you can email me anytime at [email protected].  And, if you have a moment, please visit our website at www.coachhouser.com.  I know you'll love the smiling faces.  Last night at practice, it was Secret Santa night + we got our new jerseys.  Sweeeet!  You can see the pics on our 2012 Club Volleyball page.  

What else can I do for you?  Please let me know.
Coach Houser