56: Hidden Truths of D1 Volleyball Recruiting from 3 Dads (Part 1)

What does the volleyball recruiting process actually look like from the parent side?In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Susan sits down with three volleyball dads whose daughters recently committed to Division I programs in the class of 2028. Each came into volleyball with experience in other sports, and each quickly discovered that college volleyball recruiting operates very differently.They share what surprised them most about the process, what happened when June 15th arrived, and just how quickly calls, emails, offers, and decisions started moving. They also talk about college camps, visiting campuses early, building and narrowing a target school list, and trying to understand where their daughters realistically fit within the national recruiting landscape.Susan also breaks down why recruiting can feel so subjective in volleyball, why measurable stats only tell part of the story, and why gaining clarity early can help families spend their time, energy, and resources more strategically.If you’re a parent trying to understand what may be coming next in your daughter’s recruiting process, this episode gives you an honest look at what these families learned while going through it in real time.Chapters00:00 – Susan’s recruiting support and Volleyball Recruiting School06:00 – Why these three dads wanted to share their experience07:25 – Meet the volleyball dads and their daughters11:25 – How volleyball recruiting differs from other sports13:30 – What happened when June 15th arrived18:50 – When families realized recruiting was moving fast19:10 – Visiting campuses early to gain clarity22:55 – Why camps matter more than families may realize24:20 – Narrowing the school list and targeting strategically27:20 – A late-blooming athlete and a very fast recruiting journey29:20 – Why evaluating volleyball recruits is so subjective31:35 – The importance of jump touch and measurable traits32:20 – What’s coming in Part 2About the Guests:Jason WenderFather of Liv Wender, 2028 S, West Virginia CommitMatthew DelaneyFather of Carolina Delaney, 2028 OH, Pepperdine CommitBrett BaatrupFather of Amaya Simon, 2028 MB, Colorado State CommitConnect with the Players:Amaya Simon: @amayaclassof2028Carolina Delaney: @carolinadelaneyvbLiv Wender: @livwendervolleyballConnect with Susan:Check out the website: www.nxtvb.comFollow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susankwww.rallysend.comLooking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.