What does it actually mean to “make it easy for a college coach” during the recruiting process?

In this episode, Susan breaks down one of the most important principles families often overlook: college coaches are extremely busy, and athletes who make their lives easier stand out immediately. From how you share film to the way you structure your emails and profiles, small details can make a big difference in how coaches evaluate and remember you.

Susan explains why organization, clarity, and follow-through build trust with coaches and how these habits can separate athletes in a crowded recruiting landscape. If your goal is to get on a coach’s radar and stay there, this episode will help you understand how to present yourself in a way that makes coaches want to keep watching.

Chapters

00:00 – The recruiting rule: make it easy for the coach

01:00 – Why coaches protect their time

02:30 – The role trust plays in recruiting decisions

04:00 – What “making it easy” actually looks like

06:00 – Sharing film and making it easy to evaluate

08:00 – Email communication that coaches appreciate

10:30 – Small details that build credibility

13:30 – A look inside the Recruit Ready system

16:00 – Final recruiting takeaway

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

You say you want to play volleyball in college.

But what if the real thing stressing you out isn’t the goal… it’s the timeline you attached to it?

In this episode, Susan unpacks one of the biggest hidden pressures in recruiting: the belief that it should have happened by now. For the Class of 2026 and 2027 especially, watching other athletes commit can create a quiet panic — even when you’re doing everything “right.”

Susan breaks down the two biggest sources of recruiting frustration: timelines and expectations. She explains why timing is often just a guess, why attaching your confidence to a date creates unnecessary pressure, and how to shift your focus back to what you can actually control.

She also dives into a deeper question: are your expectations rooted in desire… or fear? Because the difference between those two changes everything.

If recruiting has started to feel heavy, uncertain, or discouraging, this episode will help you reset. You only need one aligned yes. And your time is coming — even if it’s not on the schedule you imagined.

Chapters

00:00 – The ultimate goal: you only need one aligned “yes”

01:30 – Why recruiting feels frustrating (Classes of ’26 & ’27)

02:30 – The Timeline Trap: why timing creates pressure

05:30 – What you can control vs. what you can’t

07:00 – Expectations layered onto the goal

08:30 – Desire vs. fear: where your expectations come from

11:30 – Are you limiting yourself to one specific outcome?

13:30 – Division, location, academics — what really matters?

16:15 – What happens when you drop the timeline

18:30 – The “drops in the bucket” mindset

22:00 – The Celebration Game: building confidence through small wins

23:30 – “Your time is coming — and it’s always on time”

25:00 – Recruiting is more than strategy

27:30 – Final reflection: timelines, expectations, and choosing from desire

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

If you’ve heard the phrase “general interest” from a college coach and walked away confused or unsure what it actually means, this episode is for you.

In this bonus episode, Susan breaks down what “general interest” really means in Division I volleyball recruiting, why coaches use this language, and how families should interpret it without jumping to conclusions.

Susan explains the realities of recruiting timelines, NCAA communication rules, and the difference between top-prospect recruiting and the experience most athletes will actually have. She also clarifies what coaches can and can’t say before June 15 — and why silence or vague language doesn’t mean your athlete isn’t being evaluated.

This episode is designed to give you the behind the scenes info with context to help families better understand what really goes on in recruiting.

Chapters

00:00 – Why this conversation matters + the June 15 hype
02:36 – What “general interest” actually means (and how letters are sent)
04:53 – Why not receiving one doesn’t eliminate D1 opportunities
07:14 – How many athletes might receive the same letter
09:29 – Why top programs are more selective with general interest
11:40 – Using this information to make informed recruiting decisions

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

If it feels like every club suddenly announced a college camp at the same time, you’re not imagining it.

In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down the growing trend of college camps hosted at clubs and explains how they fit into the volleyball recruiting process. She shares why these camps can be a valuable use of time and resources when approached strategically.

Susan walks through why college coaches like these camps, how NCAA rules influence them, and what families should consider before signing up. She also explains how athletes can maximize the experience, advocate for themselves, and stand out even when things don’t go perfectly.

This episode is designed to help families make informed, confident decisions.

Chapters

02:00 – Why college camps at clubs have exploded

04:00 – Why these camps can be valuable for recruiting

06:00 – NCAA rules and how they influence camps

09:00 – What families should evaluate before signing up

13:00 – Camp size, coach access, and court placement

17:00 – Club reputation and how it affects the experience

21:00 – How to maximize a college camp strategically

25:00 – Emailing coaches before and after camp

29:00 – Self-advocacy and navigating challenges at camp

33:00 – How to stand out regardless of court or role

37:00 – Final guidance for athletes and parents

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

What happens when talent is no longer the differentiator?

In Part 2 of this deep-dive conversation, Susan and Sonja shift from big-picture mindset to the specific mental tools elite athletes use to perform under pressure and sustain success at the highest levels.

Sonja shares firsthand experiences from professional volleyball and Team USA, where every athlete in the gym is talented — and mental skills become the deciding factor. From visualization and internal dialogue to handling pressure and staying present, this episode gives athletes practical insight into what mental training really looks like at the top.

They also discuss why mindset work isn’t about “thinking positive,” how confidence is built over time, and what coaches are actually evaluating when watching athletes compete. If your athlete struggles with pressure, consistency, or confidence when the stakes rise, this episode offers clarity and direction.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome back to Part 2

01:30 – What separates athletes when talent is equal

04:00 – Handling pressure at the highest levels

07:00 – Visualization as a performance tool

10:00 – Internal dialogue and self-talk

13:00 – Staying present when mistakes happen

16:00 – Confidence vs consistency

18:45 – Emotional regulation during competition

21:30 – What coaches notice mentally during matches

24:00 – Why mindset isn’t motivation

26:30 – Burnout vs longevity

29:00 – Mental habits elite athletes repeat

31:30 – Final advice for athletes and parents

46:30 – Final advice for athletes and families

Connect with Sonja:

Instagram: @_sonjaanderson

Bio on Website: https://nxtvb.com/about

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

Talent might open the door, but mindset determines who stays.

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Susan sits down with Sonja Anderson to unpack what actually separates athletes who rise to the top from those who stall out, even when talent levels are similar.

Sonja’s journey spans every level of the game — from small-town high school volleyball to Division I All-American, 12 years playing professionally overseas, and competing with Team USA on the international stage. What kept her evolving wasn’t just skill, but the mental framework she built along the way.

Together, Susan and Sonja explore how mindset develops across each stage of an athlete’s career, why confidence alone isn’t enough, and how athletes can learn to adapt when the game gets harder and the margins get smaller.

This episode is essential listening for athletes who want longevity in the sport — and for parents who want to understand what truly supports growth beyond physical ability.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to the mindset conversation

01:30 – Sonja’s early volleyball journey

04:30 – Moving from small environments to elite competition

07:30 – When talent stops being the separator

10:00 – The mental shift required at higher levels

13:00 – Confidence vs mental durability

16:00 – Learning to adapt as the game gets faster

18:45 – Why discomfort signals growth

21:30 – What breaks athletes mentally as competition increases

24:00 – Parental support vs pressure

26:30 – Why mindset must evolve with skill

Connect with Sonja:

Instagram: @_sonjaanderson

Bio on Website: https://nxtvb.com/about

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

In Part 2, Susan and Meredith move from experience to decision-making.They unpack how recruiting actually works across Ivy League, mid-major, and Power Four programs — including timelines, academic expectations, scholarships, financial aid, NIL, and rev share.

Meredith explains the Ivy League academic index, why recruiting timelines move differently, and common misconceptions that cause families to rule out options too early. They also compare needs-based aid and scholarships, and explain why “more money” doesn’t always equal a better fit. This episode gives families clarity and language to make smarter, more grounded recruiting decisions — without panic, pressure, or comparison.

Chapters

00:00 – Which athletes thrive in different D1 environments

03:00 – Power Four athlete traits vs Ivy League athlete traits

06:00 – Independence, pressure, and compartmentalization

09:30 – Recruiting priorities beyond volleyball skill

12:00 – Evaluating potential vs current level

14:30 – The Ivy League academic index explained

18:00 – Recruiting timelines and calculated risks

21:00 – Common Ivy League misconceptions

23:30 – Financial aid vs athletic scholarships

27:00 – Why Ivy League schools may be more affordable than expected

30:30 – Power Four scholarships, rev share, and NIL

34:00 – NIL vs rev share explained simply

37:30 – Choosing based on values, not hype

40:30 – “Would you still go there without volleyball?”

43:30 – Why recruiting is a marathon, not a sprint

46:30 – Final advice for athletes and families

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.

Division I volleyball isn’t one experience — and treating it like it is can lead families down the wrong path.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Susan sits down with Meredith Schamun, a Division I coach who has coached at the Ivy League, mid-major, and Power Four levels. Meredith brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what actually separates these environments beyond the label of “D1.”

They break down how time commitments, training windows, academic priorities, and daily expectations differ across Ivy League and Power Four programs — and why many athletes are surprised by what Division I really demands. This episode helps families zoom out and understand the landscape before making assumptions about where an athlete will truly thrive.

Chapters

00:00 – Why Division I is not one experience

02:00 – Meredith’s coaching journey across D1 environments

05:00 – How Ivy League volleyball compares to other D1 programs

08:15 – Time commitments: Ivy League vs Power Four

11:00 – Summer training and reporting differences

14:00 – Shorter seasons and limited training windows

17:00 – What surprises athletes most about Ivy League volleyball

20:30 – Power Four expectations and daily demands

23:30 – Adjusting as a freshman at a Power Four program

26:30 – Travel, holidays, and life balance

29:30 – Independence and self-management at each level

33:00 – Who tends to thrive in Ivy League environments

36:30 – Who thrives in Power Four environments

39:30 – Pressure, expectations, and culture differences

Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

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.