18: Inside D2 Volleyball — Scholarships, Transfers & Life in Balance (Part 2)

In Part 2 of Susan’s deep-dive with national champion coaches Kim Cherniss and Danny Scott, they unpack the realities of D2 scholarships, the modern transfer landscape, and why so many athletes are finding their best fit outside of Division I.Kim and Danny explain how scholarship budgets actually work, what families often misunderstand about financial packages, and why public vs. private school cost matters more than division. They also talk openly about the transfer portal, why D1-to-D2 transfers are on the rise, and how athletes can build a college experience that balances academics, athletics, and life.If you’re a parent trying to understand scholarships — or an athlete exploring where you’ll thrive on and off the court — this episode gives practical clarity you won’t find anywhere else.Chapters00:00 – Why D1 athletes transfer to D2 and thrive03:00 – How to evaluate whether a school is the right fit06:00 – The transfer portal’s impact on recruiting08:30 – Why “sticking it out” still matters10:00 – How D2 scholarship budgets really work13:00 – Public vs. private schools: true cost comparison15:30 – Life balance: D2 as the “middle ground” athletes love18:00 – Parents: how to support without overpowering21:00 – The importance of athlete-led communication23:00 – “You’re the shopper” mindset shift25:30 – Practical advice for managing scholarship conversations28:00 – Quickfire Q&A: emails, social media, showcases & more32:00 – Final takeaways on building the best college experienceConnect with Susan:Check out the website: www.nxtvb.comFollow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susankQuick shoutout to our podcast sponsor University Athlete. The only volleyball-exclusive recruiting platform used by 95% of college coaches. It’s where athletes get seen, get evaluated, and get recruited. Plus it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to activate your profile. Click the link below to claim your free profile.CLAIM YOUR FREE PROFILE HEREIf you decide you want to upgrade to the All-Access pass be sure to use the code ‘NXTVB30’ to save 30% on your yearly membership. Subscription boxes are all the rave (we get it, they are FUN!) and we’ve developed one for the recruiting process that comes with 1:1 support in our new Set for Success Membership!Every Month as Member You Get to Choose from One of the Following for Support:🖥️ 1:1 ADVISING CALL with either Sonja, Jessie or Susan from the NXTVB team.🎥 HIGHLIGHT FILM professionally produced and done for you.🗣️ OUR TARGETED TAKE with detailed feedback on one specific part of your process, so it's worth your time and effort! 😎 PLUS SEASONAL OFFER...