Every athlete worries about competition, but what if the biggest obstacle in the recruiting process isn’t another player across the net?

In this week’s episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in college recruiting: your daughter’s real competition is time and herself. From the unique culture of privacy in volleyball recruiting to why families often misjudge who their athlete is “up against,” Susan reframes what athletes and parents should actually be focusing on.

You’ll learn why comparing yourself to teammates can hold you back, how to maximize the limited recruiting window, and why building belief and taking consistent action are more important than trying to be the “right fit” for every program.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or unsure about how to stand out, this episode will give you the clarity and perspective to approach recruiting with confidence and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NXT VB Podcast

00:00 – Grounded & Gritty: Kicking Off the Conversation

02:00 – The Culture of Privacy in Volleyball Recruiting

05:30 – The Myth of Teammates as Competition

07:00 – Why Direct Competition Rarely Exists

12:00 – The World’s Best Peach: Finding Your Fit

14:00 – The Real Competition in Recruiting

15:00 – Racing Against Time

18:00 – Facing Your Toughest Opponent: Yourself

22:00 – Building Belief Through Action

26:00 – Shifting Focus: Time + Self Over Others

27:00 – Introducing Recruit Ready Launch

30:30 – Final Takeaways & Next Steps

Want step-by-step support to maximize time, build belief, and launch your recruiting process with clarity?

👉 Join the waitlist for Recruit Ready Launch here: stan.store/heysusank/p/rrlwait

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Every athlete dreams of going D1, but what does it actually take, and what does life really look like once you get there?

In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down the realities of playing Division I volleyball, from the five-month grind of the season to the hidden time commitments no one talks about. She also explains the differences between Power 4 programs, Top 50 schools, and mid-majors, and why understanding these categories is crucial when building your recruiting target list.

You’ll learn how scholarships really work at the Division I level, the impact of roster limits and NIL changes, and why finding the right fit matters more than chasing labels. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode will help you make more informed decisions in the recruiting process.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + why lived experience shapes perspective
02:00 – The hidden benefits of being a D1 athlete
04:30 – What athletes and families often overlook
06:00 – Season length: D1 vs D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO
09:00 – The reality of time commitments and “voluntary” activities
11:30 – Academic balance and course scheduling during season
13:45 – Who thrives at D1 vs who may prefer D2/D3
16:00 – Power 4 conferences explained (and why it’s no longer Power 5)
18:30 – Why Top 50 programs matter as much as conference labels
21:00 – Mid-majors and realistic recruiting targets
23:00 – Susan’s own recruiting story (from waiting to full ride)
27:30 – How to build a smart target list: reach, targets, and safeties
30:00 – Scholarships explained: full rides, splits, and roster limits
34:00 – New NCAA changes: more flexibility, more packages, NIL impact
37:00 – The truth about financial offers — and why fit still matters most
39:20 – Final takeaways for athletes and parents

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Every athlete dreams of playing at the highest level — but the real win is finding the place where you can truly thrive.

In this final episode of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Sally’s journey. Labeled “undersized,” Sally chased Division I dreams and, like so many athletes, would have loved to play D1 if the opportunity was there. But when the calls didn’t come, she found herself building strong connections with high-academic D3 programs instead.

Then came the unexpected twist — a call from a nationally competitive Division II program. At first, it wasn’t the path she had imagined, but by staying curious and visiting with an open mind, Sally discovered that this school checked every box: academics, competition, and the chance to grow as both an athlete and a person.

Her story is a reminder that while chasing D1 is a worthy goal, it isn’t the only path to success. The real measure of “making it” is finding a program where you can thrive on and off the court — even if it’s not the place you thought you’d end up.

This is Part 3 — and the finale — of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series. If you missed Emily’s or Kelsey’s stories, catch up first, then tune in for Sally’s inspiring conclusion.

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

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.