Volleyball Goals - College or High School?

Coach,

I am currently an incoming freshman, playing outside hitter. This past season I played on a competitive 16-2s team as outside. However, ever since I have been playing volleyball I have been told I am a great setter. I love setting, and want to play at a college level, but I'm unsure if it is too late for me to be able to switch positions without having to play on the Freshman team for school ball.

I am 5'7", so I am not necessarily tall either. I have a pretty good vertical, and train to increase it, giving that I do hit outside for my club team.

My question is, should I risk switching to setting to be able to play at a college level, but possibly have to play on the freshman team, or risk not making it to play in college as an outside to be able to make JV?

Thanks,
TA

What is your goal? 

Your goal is to play college volleyball, so focus on that end result and the steps that are necessary to achieve that goal.  One of the steps to play as a setter in college, is to start the learning process of being a setter in high school.  And if that means having to play on the Freshman team to begin with, so you can refine your skill sets and work on your team leadership, then you have to do it.  Don't get caught up in the high school ego of what team you make, especially as an incoming freshman player.

Again, what is more important?  

You to achieve a collegiate playing position (and as a 5'7" player, setter is one of your better routes to this goal), or make a high school JV team which will be nothing but a distant memory when you are setting in college?

Use this summer to attend a few setting camps or all skills camps where you can get some quality repetitions. Use the summer base of setting practice to move into you high school experience ready to set for what ever team they put you on and ready to run a team.  This is a big difference between setting and being a setter.

Good luck!

Coach Sonnichsen