NXTVB
Susan Forbes | Volleyball Recruiting
Finding the Right Fit in an Unexpected Place (Real Recruiting Stories Part 3)
Episode Notes
Chasing the D1 dream can feel like the only option, but what if it costs you the chance to find your true fit?
In this final episode of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Sally’s journey — a gritty, undersized middle who set her sights on Division I but found herself overlooked and frustrated when the calls didn’t come.
While she built strong relationships with high-academic D3 programs, something still felt off. Then came the curveball: a call from a nationally competitive D2 program that changed everything. By staying curious and open-minded, Sally discovered a school that not only matched her academic goals but also gave her the high-level competition she craved.
Her story is proof that chasing the D1 label isn’t the goal — thriving in the right fit is. And sometimes the “unexpected” option turns out to be exactly what you’ve been looking for all along.
Chapters
00:00 – Why recruiting journeys never look the same
02:00 – The sailboat analogy: finding your own shore
04:30 – Meet Sally: undersized, gritty, and determined
06:30 – The silence from D1 coaches on June 15
08:30 – Strong D3 interest but lingering doubts
09:45 – The curveball: a call from a top D2 program
11:30 – Visiting with curiosity — and shifting perspective
13:30 – Why this school checked every box
15:00 – The takeaway: fit > division
16:00 – Wrapping up the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series
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