Student-athletes in the United States have excellent prospects for attending college or university, especially if they secure one of the 258.5 full scholarships for volleyball permitted by NCAA regulations.
This opportunity is available to both genders and helps alleviate the financial burden of education. Six renowned institutions in the volleyball realm offer top-tier players a chance to excel athletically while obtaining their education debt-free.
Scholarships For Volleyball
Scholarship By Penn State
Penn State has a rich history in NCAA volleyball, with their women’s team established in 1976. Over the years, they have achieved remarkable success, winning 25 conference championships and seven national titles. They notably had two winning streaks of over 100 games each and have participated in every NCAA tournament since 1981. Russell Rose has been the head coach for 40 seasons, boasting a remarkable .861 winning percentage, the highest among all college volleyball coaches.
In 2014, the United States Women’s Volleyball team secured their first-ever international victory by defeating China in the world championships, with two players from Penn State on the team.
Penn State alumni have also contributed to the team’s success in various competitions, earning multiple silver and bronze medals. Since their seventh NCAA title win in 2014, Penn State has been in a rebuilding phase following the graduation of three All-Americans and two other starters.
The Stanford Scholarship
Stanford’s volleyball program boasts a rich history, comparable to that of Penn State. While Stanford has won one more championship than their eastern rivals, they have claimed four fewer conference championships.
Despite this, Stanford holds the record for the most runner-up finishes with eight. Additionally, their eight titles are the most in the history of the sport. The program was established in 1976 and is one of two teams that have consistently made the NCAA Finals since 1981. Over the years, Stanford has had eight different coaches, with Kevin Hambly currently at the helm since 2017.
Notably, Stanford had two players on the 2014 world-championship team in Italy, and their alumni have achieved numerous silver and bronze medals at the Olympics and other prestigious events. The team is currently the reigning NCAA champions, boasting a youthful roster with seven freshmen and sophomores.
The Baylor Scholarhip
Baylor, a relatively new presence on the national stage, secured the top spot in the NCAA poll for women’s volleyball teams in 2019. Despite never clinching a national title, they boasted an impressive 25-1 record by the end of November that year, positioning them for a potential first win.
Head coach Ryan McGuire has guided the Lady Bears to improved performances in both the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. In the 2019 season, Baylor clinched the Big 12 Conference Championship, with several key players receiving conference and national accolades. The team also secured the top seed in the NCAA tournament for that year, hosting two rounds of games.
Scholarship By ULCA
UCLA stands out as one of the premier college teams across all sports. For instance, in the modern era, the University of Alabama has claimed 11 national titles in American football. In contrast, UCLA, boasting a men’s volleyball team since 1970, has clinched an impressive 19 NCAA titles, a record unmatched by any other school. Pepperdine comes in second with five titles. Renowned Olympians like Steve Salmons, Karch Kiraly, and Ricci Luyties have all represented UCLA. Salmons and Kiraly notably secured consecutive gold medals during the U.S.’s dominant phase.
Al Scates led the Bruins to all 19 championships during his 48-year coaching tenure. Since 2012, John Speraw has taken over as head coach. Although UCLA hasn’t claimed a championship since 2006, they managed to secure a top-10 ranking in 2019.
Scholarship By Long Beach
Long Beach State has secured three NCAA titles, with their latest two consecutive wins occurring nearly three decades after their initial victory. Prior to these back-to-back triumphs, they reached the Final Four in 2016 and 2017 under the guidance of Alan Knipe, the team’s sixth and eighth coach. Knipe first coached from 2010 to 2012 before returning to the helm.
Additionally, Knipe stands out as a member of Long Beach State’s 1991 championship team, having achieved both player and coach victories for the school.
Notably, Bob Ctvirtlik, a Long Beach State alumnus, was part of the same 1988 gold-medal-winning team from UCLA as Salmons and Kiraly. Another alumnus, Tom Hoff, was a member of the 2008 U.S. gold-medal-winning team in Beijing.
The BYU Scholarship
BYU’s volleyball program, though relatively young at 29 years old compared to other top teams, has an impressive history. Despite a challenging start with a 1-15 conference record, coaches Carl McGown and Tom Peterson transformed the team into perennial contenders.
They clinched their first national title in 1999 and have since won three national championships, with their most recent victory in 2004. Additionally, the program has finished as runners-up four times.
The men’s volleyball program at BYU has produced notable alumni, including Kevin Hambly, the current women’s volleyball coach at Stanford. Hambly played a pivotal role in BYU’s resurgence, helping the team achieve a 21-6 record, a significant improvement from their 5-22 record just four years prior.
Strategies For Winning Scholarships For Volleyball
In terms of college scholarships, women’s team players are the only ones who receive full scholarships, while men’s volleyball teams are categorized as equivalency sports, meaning scholarships cover only part of the athletes’ tuition. Despite this difference, the scholarship application process is generally the same for all genders.
To begin, prospective athletes should compile a scholarship portfolio, which should include transcripts, activity documentation, and any awards received. It’s also crucial to include letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, and activity leaders.
This paperwork should be thorough, detailing the time spent in each activity, the athlete’s responsibilities, and an honest evaluation of how each organization contributed to their growth. Applicants should strive to include all high school activities and accomplishments, ensuring they provide as much detail as possible.
The athlete’s portfolio should detail their extracurricular activities, such as volunteering or working, emphasizing any leadership roles held and explaining how these experiences shaped their leadership skills. It should also include printed statistics and a relevant video history of their game performance. For instance, if the athlete is an outside hitter, showcasing achievements in track and field would be irrelevant. Additionally, including letters of recommendation and interviews with coaches from both the athlete’s school and opponents can provide a well-rounded view of their skills, leadership, and determination.
Securing a scholarship requires persistence. Only about 2 percent of college athletes receive full scholarships or close to it. With over 150,000 volleyball players vying for limited scholarships, the chances of being accepted into elite schools are incredibly slim. For example, top volleyball schools typically only offer 12 full volleyball scholarships. While it’s possible to secure one of the four walk-on spots, walk-ons do not receive full-ride scholarships.
Visiting the school in person is crucial. While the portfolio can open doors, demonstrating skills like blocking, outside hitting, and serving in front of a coach is essential. Being fully prepared for such demonstrations requires rigorous training to ensure peak performance.
Conclusion:
Volleyball is popular in the NCAA, but students should be aware that the opportunities for team placement and scholarships for volleyball are limited. To secure a scholarship that covers most or all college expenses in the United States, students need to prepare for a challenging process.
It is crucial for athletes, their parents, teachers, and coaches to collaborate in finding a suitable scholarship. The key is to understand that no one has all the answers, so it’s important to seek clarification from knowledgeable individuals. By working together, athletes and their supporters can network with others to gather information, complete paperwork, and manage all the necessary tasks to secure a scholarship. Ultimately, teamwork is essential in this endeavor.
