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The Volleyball CV a coach values
The ranking systems, the concrete metrics coaches recruit on, and which measurables to put on your athlete CV.
Coaches don't recruit on charm; they recruit on physical measurables and position. Height is the #1 screen (by position), followed by approach touch (peak reach off an attack jump) and block touch (reach off a blocking jump). Add standing reach, vertical (approach and block, in inches) and your position: OH/outside, MB/middle, OPP/right side, S/setter, L/libero.
Indicative benchmarks (women, public-source estimates, verify with your coach):
| Position | Approx. approach touch |
|---|---|
| Solid D1 OH | ~9'5" (estimate) |
| D2/NAIA hitter | ~9'6"-10'2" |
| D1 setter min. | ~9'6" |
| D1 libero | ~8'8"+ |
In men's the bars are 3-5 inches taller and ~1-1.5 ft higher in touch. These specific figures are estimates, not fixed standards.
Ranking systems that signal level: PrepVolleyball/PVCA, AVCA lists, and above all the USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline. For Europeans, the objective proof is playing in the top national division, national youth-team selection (U17-U20) and CEV/FIVB results. On your CV put: name, grad year, position, height, approach and block touch, vertical in cm AND inches, club, league/level, GPA and contact.
Sources
- NCSA — Women's Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines (position measurables)
- NCSA — International Student-Athletes: How to Get Recruited
- NCSA — Women's College Volleyball Scholarships (team counts, levels)
Last reviewed: June 2026
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