LIbero College Volleyball Recruiting Question #897

Hi College Volleyball Coach,

Thank you for your book and your website.  I have used it frequently as an  invaluable resource. My question is for my daughter.  She is currently a 5'4 Libero who also plays Libero for her current club team and her HS.  Her current club team is imploding and likely may not play competitive tournaments next year.   Currently, she is trying to decide on a new club for her 18s year of club ball and would like to play in college.  She has received two decent offers for club teams next year.  

The first offer is for a 1 team that should be very competitive but already has a player who has played Libero for the last three years.  The offer is for her to play DS on a strong team playing with a 6-2 setter rotation.  This team has a really good coach who has coached the team for the last three years and my daughter would get good training.  

The second offer is for a very competitive 2 team that plays a strong qualifier schedule and has a record as good as the 1 team that offered her.  The team has been virtually the same for the last 2 years, but is getting a new coach.  The new coach offered a back row position and has said my daughter could compete for the Libero position.  I want to add that there is a player that has played Libero for 2 years.  This coach is an unknown.  The 2 team may not be quite as strong as the 1 team, but it will be close.  There is also no guarantee that she will really get a shot at the Libero position on the 2 team, although she's been told she will.  We are very torn and would like to put her in the best position possible since she would like to play in college. She has received interest from some college coaches, low level D I and D II.  

My question is, how important is it for her to play the Libero position to be recruited for college?  Is it sufficient to play DS for a good team or is it more important for her to have a shot at the Libero position?  

Thank you for your help!

Torn Mom

You have presented a challenging scenario because they are so similar to each other.  

I will answer your last question first - The Libero/DS position is a hyper competitive recruiting position because of the sheer number of players who are good (and some are very good).  For college coaches, we would tend to recruit club Liberos to be collegiate Liberos with the logic being, that the club Libero is the best passer and defender on the club team or she should not be the Libero. 

But, college coaches are also aware that politics and 'club seniority' can come into play with all positions, so beyond everything else, we recruit talent.  If a college coach believes a player will make their team better, then we will recruit her.

It would be 'better' if your daughter could play Libero for her recruiting efforts, but it is not 'detrimental' that she does not.

After reading your email 138 times (slight exaggeration) I would choose the 1st offer....and the determining factor?  The coach.  You wrote that "This team has a really good coach who has coached the team for the last three years and my daughter would get good training."  If the coach can improve the talents of your daughter, then your daughter will garner more recruiting opportunities because she is at a higher playing level.

Also, there is no guarantee (which there should never be and if presented, should be a huge red flag from any coach) that your daughter would be the Libero or even present the chance to be the Libero with the second offer.

The Coach