High school player, not deployed, has the urge to play college ball!

Question
I graduated High School in 2007. I played volleyball 7-12 grade. My senior year I had a few scouts watch me play, but I ended up enlisting in the National Guard halfway through my volleyball season. I am currently deployed to Iraq, and because of that, my college is pretty much paid for. After watching the summer Olympics, I started to regret not going to college to play volleyball. Is there any way to get onto a good volleyball team without having a scholarship? I probably won't start college until Fall 2009 so is there anything I can do before hand to prepare for it, like talk to coaches? Will college coaches understand if I have to miss practice or a game/tournament for my military drill weekends?

Answer
Good morning!

Thank you for visiting www.allexperts.com

Your situation is unique!  Well, it's unique for me.  

It sounds as though you have the skill to hook onto a college team, no problem.  And, if you're D1 or D2 material, you will be a coach's DREAM, since you will won't need to use of the school's precious scholarships!  

However, the weekend commitments are an issue that you'll need to take that up with the individual coach.  Some may say "No way," while others may say, "No problem."  If were a college coach, I don't know what I would say.  I've never considered this situation before.  

I recommend you start contacting coaches immediately.  Tell them your situation, just like you told me.  All of those coaches will want to see a skills tape.  Do you still have one from high school?  If so, then go ahead and mail it to them.  Then see what they say!  

Thank you for helping defend our country.  We're very proud of you and the sacrifices that you're making for all of us.  

Please contact me anytime and please visit me sometime at www.coachhouser.com.