19: The Recruiting Conversations You Never Get to Hear (Part 1)
What do college coaches really talk about when they’re evaluating athletes? What frustrates them? What impresses them? And what actually makes a recruit stand out?
In Part 1 of this rare, behind-the-scenes conversation, Susan brings together Kevin, Todd, and Jessie — three experienced college coaches with insight from both the women’s and men’s volleyball world.
They share the honest, unfiltered truths most families never hear: why communication matters more than talent, why athletes often misunderstand visibility, what coaches actually notice first, and how confidence or doubt shows up long before an athlete steps on the court.
If your athlete is preparing for June 15, navigating club season, or trying to get on a coach’s radar, this episode will give you clarity you can’t get anywhere else.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome back + intro to Part 1
01:30 – Meet Kevin, Todd, and Jessie
04:00 – How each coach ended up in college volleyball
06:30 – Men’s vs women’s recruiting: what’s actually different
08:00 – What coaches notice first in a recruit (and it’s not stats)
10:30 – Are athletes really “overlooked"? Coaches tell the truth
13:00 – Why athletes wait for validation — and why that hurts recruiting
15:30 – Club volleyball changes that impact recruiting
18:00 – What coaches wish every family understood
20:45 – Confidence, identity, and how athletes hold themselves back
23:30 – Social media: helpful tool or misguided distraction?
26:00 – Early red flags coaches pick up on
29:00 – Closing thoughts + preview of Part 2
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.
More description
What do college coaches really talk about when they’re evaluating athletes? What frustrates them? What impresses them? And what actually makes a recruit stand out?
In Part 1 of this rare, behind-the-scenes conversation, Susan brings together Kevin, Todd, and Jessie — three experienced college coaches with insight from both the women’s and men’s volleyball world.
They share the honest, unfiltered truths most families never hear: why communication matters more than talent, why athletes often misunderstand visibility, what coaches actually notice first, and how confidence or doubt shows up long before an athlete steps on the court.
If your athlete is preparing for June 15, navigating club season, or trying to get on a coach’s radar, this episode will give you clarity you can’t get anywhere else.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome back + intro to Part 1
01:30 – Meet Kevin, Todd, and Jessie
04:00 – How each coach ended up in college volleyball
06:30 – Men’s vs women’s recruiting: what’s actually different
08:00 – What coaches notice first in a recruit (and it’s not stats)
10:30 – Are athletes really “overlooked"? Coaches tell the truth
13:00 – Why athletes wait for validation — and why that hurts recruiting
15:30 – Club volleyball changes that impact recruiting
18:00 – What coaches wish every family understood
20:45 – Confidence, identity, and how athletes hold themselves back
23:30 – Social media: helpful tool or misguided distraction?
26:00 – Early red flags coaches pick up on
29:00 – Closing thoughts + preview of Part 2
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.
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