What is the definition of a “Top” team? Many people say it’s all relative…I live in San Diego, California where there are some top volleyball clubs in the country. There are a lot of volleyball clubs in southern California, and a “1s” team at one club can be a similar level to a “4s” team at another club. Many clubs number their teams…so 1’s, 2’s, 3’s,…R1, R2, etc. according to their “perceived” level of play. Many clubs around the country name their teams by colors like “Gold” or “Black” to signify the level. Other clubs name their teams based on the coach’s first or last names.
College coaches will go to ANY court number in the convention center…
…if they want to watch a player play live that they are curious about after reviewing their highlight video. At that point, it’s not about your club name or location or number, it’s about YOU, the speed of the game on the court, and the level that the college coach feels you have the potential to handle. College volleyball coaches are asking themselves, “Could this player help us win our conference? Does this player have the potential to be a better [position] than our current players or the best in our conference?” College coaches (and the rest of us) eventually figure out which club teams are considered “top” teams and how each club signifies this, but it’s still relative to the level of play of the conferences on your target list.
Playing for a small volleyball club in a rural area:
I am from Brooklyn, Michigan, a small rural town, and I was the first female athlete to sign a full scholarship in any sport in my county. I played at a club in Jackson, Michigan that brought together the better high school players in our county. We went to Chicago AAUs and a few other tournaments. I was noticed at these tournaments for my height at 6’3” and I could walk and chew gum at the same time! I played volleyball at the University of Tennessee and am in the Lady Vol Hall of Fame. I played professionally after college for over 20 years, both indoor and beach volleyball. You can be from a small town and play for a lesser known volleyball club or a lower level team at your club and still play in college. There are intangibles that are needed…. a strong work ethic and a willingness to work on things on your own, behind the scenes, when no one is watching. Be willing to humbly and consistently work on your weaknesses over and over and over. Another helpful thing is if you are athletic! You don’t have to be an amazing jumper, really quick, or super tall, but athleticism helps a lot. You can improve your athletic ability and strength over time. Combine athleticism with a great work ethic and so much is possible!
She was on the lowest level 14s team in the club:
I have a story about a player I coached, Maile, who verbally committed to play volleyball in college at the end of her junior year in high school. I hope her story helps you to think about the possibilities!
Here is my social media post and story about Maile:
Congratulations to Maile, a 5’11” 2026 OH from San Diego, CA on her verbal commitment to become a collegiate student-athlete at Denison University in Granville, OH!
I’m very proud of Maile because she didn’t have the typical or expected volleyball recruiting path. Maile started playing volleyball, in 8th grade, on the lowest level 14s team at WAVE volleyball club (14-5s) and I was her first volleyball coach! We were not a travel team and we only played in regional tournaments. I remember coaching her and thinking to myself “this girl will run through walls to get the ball up!”
She excelled in her work ethic and had a positive attitude towards learning, being coached, and her teammates. She also had and still has a fire and determination to kill the ball and play well for herself and her team. She went from the 14-5s to the 15-3s the following season. Then, she made the 16-2s and that was when she decided she wanted to play volleyball in college. Maile was lifting weights and playing well for her high school Varsity team also.
Her recruiting process was not without its ups and downs and she worked through them. Figuring out, over time, her target list and her level. This happened when she received positive responses and interest from some schools and “No’s” or no response (after many times emailing them) from other schools. Finding a great fit academically was important to her. She did camps and visited many schools. She kept reaching out to her target list asking who was recruiting her position in her class…and, over time, realized which volleyball programs could see her spark and light she brought to the court.
I asked Maile to write a little about her experience. I believe her story shows players that you can play volleyball in college and find a great fit for YOU, even if you start out on a “lower level” team at your club or if you start out at a smaller club. You always want to strive for the best level of play for you at that time.
From Maile: “The journey of coming from the 14-5s team to now playing in college has been the one that I will forever remember. One quote that sticks with me is ‘the battle is not for the quickest, the most talented, or in my case the tallest, but yet for those who can endure.’ This quote stands out for me as it was really prevalent throughout my process and I believe if I didn’t put in as much time and effort and didn’t have as much passion, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I felt extremely supported by not only my family, but my favorite coaches and they developed me into the player I am, which I will forever be grateful for!”
Maile will be a workhorse and great asset to Denison Volleyball. I’m so excited to follow her as she starts the next chapter in her volleyball and academic journey! Go Maile!