In this conversation, Tracy Dahl, head coach of Cal Poly Pomona's volleyball team, shares her journey from a successful player to a distinguished coach. She discusses her coaching philosophy, the challenges of recruitment, and the impact of the transfer portal and NIL on Division II volleyball. Tracy emphasizes the importance of building a strong team culture and the growth of women's volleyball, highlighting the competitive nature of her conference and her aspirations for her program. The conversation also touches on the balance between athletics and academics, and the future of volleyball as a sport. In this conversation, Traci Dahl reflects on her journey from a promising volleyball career to coaching, discussing her regrets, the challenges of recruiting, and the importance of building a positive team culture. She shares insights on the grind of coaching, the role of parental involvement in athlete development, and the potential changes in NCAA eligibility rules. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics and the commitment required from both coaches and players to succeed.

Sound Bites
"The days are gone where we're just student athletes."
"It's fantastic to see the game grow."
"I think that there's just more to come."
"I would have gone to Spain and played."
"I started living what I thought was life."
"You have to trust the system."

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Tracy Dahl and Her Journey
02:59
Coaching Philosophy and Team Culture
05:59
Recruitment Strategies and Challenges
09:02
The Impact of the Transfer Portal and NIL
11:55
Comparing Division I and Division II Volleyball
15:00
The Growth of Women's Volleyball
18:02
Building a Winning Program at Cal Poly Pomona
20:59
The Future of Volleyball and Player Development
23:49
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
33:42
Reflecting on Career Choices
36:00
Transitioning to Coaching
39:08
Recruiting Challenges in Volleyball
41:08
The Grind of Coaching
44:01
Building a Winning Culture
49:04
Navigating Parental Involvement
52:08
Future of NCAA Eligibility
57:07

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