Division I volleyball programs have been in a recruiting Quiet Period since May 1st, which means that College Coaches have not been able to evaluate prospective student athletes in person. Beginning May 31st all Division I sports can resume their normal recruiting calendar.
Here are a few facts to help ease the transition from Quiet Period to Evaluation Period:
Quiet Down Please

According to the 2023-2024 Division I Volleyball recruiting calendar, the Quiet Period is through May 30th. This means that it is permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts on the member institution’s campus (official and unofficial visit, camp, etc). However, no in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the quiet period (showcase, club practice, tournament). Beginning May 30th, College Coaches will be ready to get back into club practices and tournaments.

Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior College programs are picking up momentum with recruiting as well, since they have a more clear idea of what their recruiting needs are for 2024 and 2025.

Practice Practice Practice
College Coaches have already started reaching out to Club Directors and Recruiting Coordinators to find out the practice schedules in June. To make it easier on college coaches, list your teams’ practice schedules on your website and make the information easy to find. If your athletes are of recruitable age, do not feel pressure to change your practice schedule for a College Coach’s availability. Consistency in your schedule will help your athletes understand that it is just like any other week of training. It will also help avoid miscommunication, mixed up dates and conflicts for your athletes.
If College Coaches are attending practice, keep in mind that they need to see the athletes receive as many opportunities to perform their skills as possible. Keep the ball in play and plan drills that are game-like to showcase the athletes’ abilities.
Who’s the Go To?
Between practices, travel to and from tournaments, camps, and college visits, June is going to be a very busy month for athletes, Directors, Recruiting Coordinators, and Coaches. Make sure your club has a contact or two for College Coaches if they have questions or need clarification on anything related to schedules or prospective student athletes. The contact(s) need to be accessible and responsive, checking their texts, emails and phone calls as much as possible. They may feel like a concierge or operator at times, but with the Evaluation Period upon us, everyone is eager to find the best student athletes to fit their programs’ needs.
It’s so important that the clubs and college coaches work together to maintain a positive recruiting experience for the prospective student athletes. Honest communication and transparency on all sides will help to create a smooth transition for the student athletes from high school to college.

More Recruiting Education

This article was written by JVA Director of Marketing and Education, Briana Schunzel, in collaboration with former Recruiting Education Committee Chair Glenna Bianchin from Carolina UVC.