Current Players › Recruiting Resources
Tools, templates, and guidance for PVC athletes navigating the college recruiting process. Members-only — password sent to families via team email and BAND.
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For Current PVC Athletes
Recruiting is a journey, and we've built a playbook that breaks it into clear, manageable steps. Below you'll find our step-by-step roadmap, the toolkit (questionnaire, communication log, video templates), a sample coach outreach letter, questions to ask on visits, and a full resource list for college research and NCAA eligibility.
Where to start? Step 1: fill out the questionnaire. Then reach out to our recruiting team and we'll connect you with a staff member to oversee your recruiting journey.
The Roadmap
A high-level path through the recruiting process. Don't rush it — work through each step thoughtfully with your recruiting coordinator.
Take time to be thoughtful about your answers, but don't overthink it — you can always update later as your preferences evolve. Once it's done, reach out to our staff and we'll connect you with a recruiting coordinator.
This is a free online profile that college coaches use as their recruiting database for major tournaments. Make sure it's current.
Begin building a list of schools that interest you. Use the Resource List for free college search tools, ranking sites, and matchmaking platforms.
Cast a wide net. Aim for 5–7 safe schools, 5–7 target schools, and 5–7 reach schools. Use the communication log to track everything.
It will self-select. When you cast a wide net, you'll find out which level of schools shows the most interest.
Each email should be specific to that school — not a generic, blanket email sent to every coach. See the sample letter below for a model.
Don't send coaches to a YouTube channel with every game you've ever played. Pick your best matches and curate a tight highlight reel — see the video tips section below.
Once steps 1–6 are done, reach out to your recruiting coordinator to review everything before you start sending emails.
Time to put your school list and email template to work. Send to every school on your list.
Update your communication log. Add or remove schools based on coach responses (or non-responses).
Send communication every 1–2 weeks to coaches showing interest. The goal during this time is to start building a relationship and learn more about the school and program.
Keep your highlights fresh. Add new clips from current matches and replace older footage as your game improves.
Sign up for their camps. Plan an unofficial visit. Get on campus. Nothing replaces seeing the program and coaches in person.
Player Toolkit
Everything you need to manage your recruiting process. Download, fill in, and share with your recruiting coordinator.
27-question intake covering academics, athletic preferences, school size, scholarship priorities, and your current recruiting state.
Download PDF →Tracking template for the schools you reach out to: head coach, assistant, contact info, response status, call notes, video shared, and visit history.
Download PDF →A simple template to organize your highlight clips and raw match footage with dates and YouTube links — what coaches want to see.
Download PDF →Curated list of free recruiting tools, college search sites, NCAA eligibility resources, ranking sites, and video editing apps — with active links.
Download PDF →Questions to bring to college calls and visits — covering volleyball program, student life, and academics.
Download PDF →The full 11-step roadmap as a printable PDF — keep it next to your laptop while you work through the process.
Download PDF →Sample Coach Outreach
Use this as a model — adjust to your school, your stats, your story. Coaches read a lot of these, so make it specific and personal. Don't blast a generic email to every program.
Dear Coach Jane Doe,
My name is Jane Doe and I am a 5'11" 2026 lefty setter/RS touching 9'7" with Piedmont Volleyball Club, Jersey #5. I am very interested in playing at the collegiate level and would love to talk to you more about the volleyball program and school. UC San Diego checks a lot of boxes on my college wishlist, both academically and athletically. I spent some time in San Diego 2 years ago and loved the area. I also have researched your program extensively and I am looking forward to learning more. Congrats on your win over Cal Poly last week! That third set looked to be so exciting! How is your Spring season going?
I am starting my 3rd season at PVC, and recently completed my third season on varsity at McMichael High School. This past season, I helped my team take home back-to-back state championships. Winning our second title this past season was the highlight of my volleyball career and a moment I won't forget. We hope to make it a three-peat next year! While I am proud of my individual accomplishments from the season, it was the most rewarding seeing my team come together and improve from the beginning of the season to where we finished.
Academically, I'll be taking my ACT next week and my current GPA is a 3.5. I am also enrolled in AP and honors classes. I am not totally sure what I want to major in but I am considering business because I'm interested in owning my own business, but I am also interested in nursing, so we'll see.
Below are some links to videos from this current 2024 club season. My club team is special because we are all really close and also all very competitive! Club is also fun for me because we often flip into a 6-2 and I get to hit. While I love setting, when I'm hitting, I love that I get to finish the point myself. When we are in a 5-1, I am learning to attack more as well. I hope you can come watch us compete this season. If you are able to come watch me play, I think you'll find that I play with a lot of energy and that I truly love to play defense, which is my next favorite skill after setting!
Kyle Milborn and Karen Sonders are my recruiting coordinators at Piedmont. Their contact information is listed below and they are available for any communications.
Karen Sonders: karen@piedmontvolleyballclub.org
Kyle Milborn: kyle.milborn@piedmontvolleyballclub.org
I look forward to hearing from you and having the chance to talk about how I may be able to contribute to your volleyball program.
Very Sincerely,
Suzy Smith
847-111-1111 (cell)
112233 Pine Street
Northbrook, IL 60202
Parents: Suzy and John Smith
Club Season: [YouTube link]
2025 Tournaments:
Athletic Achievements:
Questions to Ask
A great recruiting conversation goes both ways. Here are questions worth asking — coaches expect them, and your answers will help you decide if a school is the right fit.
Video Tips
External Resources
A curated list of resources for college search, NCAA eligibility, video editing, and more. Full clickable list with descriptions in the Resource List PDF.
Get Help
Kyle Milborn and Karen Sonders are PVC's recruiting coordinators. They work with every athlete one-on-one — reviewing questionnaires, building school lists, refining email outreach, prepping for visits, and being available for any college coach communication.
