58: What Does It Really Take to Play D1 Volleyball?
Oct 1, 2026 · 16 min · 7 segments
How much should parents actually be involved in their daughter’s volleyball recruiting process? What does it actually take to become a Division I volleyball player, and is D1 always the right goal?…
How much should parents actually be involved in their daughter’s volleyball recruiting process? What does it actually take to become a Division I volleyball player, and is D1 always the right goal? In this special episode, Susan shares a preview of her conversation with her friend Desi McPhail on *Your Mental Weight Room*. Desi works with athletes on the mindset and mental side of performance, and the two dig into some of the parts of recruiting and college athletics that families don’t always get to see. Susan breaks down what she sees in athletes who reach the D1 level, including the physicality, competitiveness, drive, and mindset required to compete at that level. She also explains why being undersized doesn’t automatically take D1 off the table and what some athletes develop to overcome physical limitations. But reaching D1 isn’t the only definition of recruiting success. Susan and Desi talk about why athletes need to understand what they actually want from their college experience, why playing and contributing at another level may be more valuable to some athletes, and why the path doesn’t always look the way you originally expected. They also pull back the curtain on conversations with college coaches and why coaches may be more direct behind the scenes than they are with recruits themselves. This is only a small piece of Susan and Desi’s full conversation. Listen to the complete episode of *Your Mental Weight Room* HERE. **Chapters** 00:00 –Susan introduces *Your Mental Weight Room* 01:40 – What does it really take to become a D1 volleyball player? 03:00 – Why physicality matters in D1 recruiting 04:30 – Can undersized athletes still play D1? 06:25 – Is D1 actually what you want? 07:30 – When D2, D3, or another path may be a better fit 10:30 – Choosing your path based on desire instead of obligation 11:30 – What college coaches say behind the scenes 14:25 – Where to hear Susan and Desi’s full conversation **Connect with Desi:** **Instagram:** @thisiscoachdesi **Connect with Susan:** Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank www.rallysend.com Looking 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.
How much should parents actually be involved in their daughter’s volleyball recruiting process? What does it actually take to become a Division I volleyball player, and is D1 always the right goal?…
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