Setter too short to play college ball? Really?

Question
My daughter's JV volleyball coach told her that no matter how well she sets, college coaches want tall girls who can block and hit as well as set.  She's 5"5' and great setter - she just made the area's elite Jr. Olympic team. She can block and hit in a pinch, but it will never be her strong suit.  Should she give up her dream of playing at college?

Answer
Good afternoon Sue!

Thank you for visiting www.allexperts.com.  You've asked me a great question!

What your daughter's coach told you has a lot of truth to it.  Sure, college coaches want 6 foot setters who can block.  And some college coaches find them.  College coaches also want 6'3" MB's, 6' OH's, and libero's from heaven.  Some coaches find them too.  

However, many college coaches can only get 5'11" MB's, 5'8" OH's, 5'7" setters, etc.  So they make do.  

Please copy/paste this into your browser's address bar to see the setter on my stepdaughter's D1 college team:  http://www.ruhighlanders.com/teams/index.php?category_id=18&season_id=70  

Her name is Kiley Kent, she's awesome, and she's not much taller than your daughter.  At 5'5", your daughter can still set, but for many college teams, she'll be relegated to being a back row setter only.  

My stepdaughter is #5.  At 5'6", she started on the team as an OH as a freshman.  But even with a 28" vertical, she was at a serious disadvantage!!  She had trouble hitting around the blockers AND almost blocked none.  :(  

So even if your daughter has similar jumping ability, she will be similarly "used" by the opponents' six foot hitters.  Kiley will tell you that's what happens to her, and she has amazing jumping ability.  

Maybe your daughter can "increase her value" to a college team by going to summer camps as a libero.  That's what some smaller setters do........they try another position to see if they can be as successful, thus if they're asked to change positions after high school, they are able to do so.  

Finally..........here's what your daughter's coach SHOULD have told her:  "Colleges are looking for taller setters.  But if you're setting is so good that it makes up for your lack of 6-footness, then a college coach will be after you!!  So keep on setting, keep on conditioning, keep on jump training, make and send a skills tape to coaches, keep playing club ball, visit schools & watch their team play, contact the head coaches of the colleges you're interested in, etc......in other words, take care of what you can take care of, and let the rest just work itself out."  My stepd. will tell you that she got several, "We can't use you," letters, and that hurt.  But she's incredibly happy being with Radford University.  

Thank you for visiting.  I hope that you also visit me at www.coachhouser.com.  I think you'll like the smiling faces.

Coach Houser