November 16, 2024
As we prepare for the 2025 Men’s D3 Volleyball season to start, we are continuing to share insights from our player survey from the Spring. We asked the participants in our survey to share advice for other players, especially younger players, to help prepare them for collegiate volleyball. We received a wide variety of feedback, and we are hoping that some of these will resonate.
Certain trends emerged in the data, but we will let our fans read through the details rather than summarizing them so the subtle nuances of some of the comments are shared. Almost half of the respondents shared comments on this question. Many thanks to all the players who took the time to respond.
INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS
You’re gonna be nervous all the way up til you step on the court, but once the first serve goes you have to stop overthinking. You’re not nervous, you’re excited. They are the same emotion. It’s just how you choose to interpret it.
Relax. You have practiced every technique and every mechanic possible to prepare yourself for this game. You have tools in your toolbox. All you can do is use what you know to your best ability. You’re here because you love volleyball, so enjoy it and make it fun.
Remember to have fun.
You are not playing a game to 25 you are playing 25 games to 1.
The only person putting pressure on you is yourself, and once you realize that you can play looser.
Be confident and trust yourself.
Focus on your role and trust that the training you did prepared you for the moment.
Always keep your head in the game and stay focused.
One mistake won’t determine your career but being able to learn from that mistake will turn you into a great player.
One thing that can help you in a match if you start to get nervous, just take 2 deep breathes and slowly exhale.
Be confident.
You wouldn’t be in this position if you didn’t train as hard as you did and have the skill you did.
Trust your training and go out there and play and fight for your team.
Be in the moment.
Never get too high, never get too low.
Be mentally prepared for your game and don’t overestimate or underestimate your opponent.
All teams are gonna make good plays just don’t worry about it and go to the next point, having a good attitude really helps.
Be positive.
A team will always do better when everyone is positive.
Be the man in the arena.
Get off your phone.
Be where your feet are.
The most important point is the next one.
Breathe, you’ve been here before.
Chill.
Deep breathes.
Don’t wait until the last minute to stretch.
Nothing about volleyball is guaranteed and it can all be taken away in a flash. Enjoy it while you have it. Have a routine and try to stick to it but don’t make it a superstition.
Have fun.
Don’t be nervous, once you make that first play, keep your foot on the gas the whole time.
Forget about it and make up for it the next play.
Don’t focus on results, just play your game and have fun.
Just relax and trust your process you’ve worked for this moment.
Keep it simple.
Listen to your body, don’t overdo it.
Don’t get angry with teammates or yourself.
Don’t get nervous.
Don’t overthink it.
Always be ready.
Turn your brain off and trust your instincts. Caveman hit ball.
Understand that mistakes happen on the court. Don’t let it ruin the rest of your game.
Don’t think too much.
Don’t worry about 1 mess up or losing one point when there are many more to come.
Don’t worry about how you play or the game. Focus on the team and don’t get down on yourself.
Don’t worry about other people, play your game.
Enjoy the game you chose to play in college, you only have 4 years of it and it’ll go by quickly. Enjoy every moment.
Enjoy the moment and be loud.
Find a pregame routine that’ll help calm your nerves.
Eat a healthy meal that will be nutritious but not filling.
Find what mood you play best in and get yourself to that mood before the game starts.
Find your flow and keep repeating, eat, hydrate, stretch and see the trainers an hour and a half before your game.
Focus on your job and your job only but also hold others accountable if you think necessary.
Don’t dwell on mistakes, play every point like your last, and be intentional.
Get better at passing.
Go all out.
Do what’s best for the team.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, no one is perfect.
Always make sure you’re having fun, support your teammates when you can.
Always play each game like it’s your last.
Have fun.
Have fun and play loose with confidence.
Always prepare, you will be the most confident when you prepare the most. This includes before game day as well.
Always remember you’re just playing a game.
Have fun!
Have something to scan as a reset button. I always look at the scoreboard to calm myself down and reset.
It’s just another day of volleyball.
Jump high.
Just go and try your best, it’s just a game at the end of the day.
Just play volleyball, don’t over complicate it.
Live and learn.
Lock in.
Look at games as a new experience and see what different aspects of the game you can grow from and work on.
Mentality is very important, take it seriously, and have fun.
It’s okay to be nervous, use that nervous energy and believe in the hard work you’ve put in.
It’s just a game and most important part is having fun while playing.
Mess up, get the nerves out of your system then focus on playing.
More times than not you’re thinking about your mistakes, more than anyone else cares, if you mess up, move on.
Nervousness and excitement are the same emotions in your brain, it’s just how you perceive it.
Always go in excited.
No matter what happens, always look forward never backwards. Even if the score is 23-10 you can still make an amazing play.
No matter what happens, you are a star!
No matter what, never give up.
Have fun!
Have fun and focus on your teammates.
Nobody out there can stop you.
Don’t overthink it.
Play your role and have fun doing what you love.
Don’t overthink just play.
Play hard, forget the bad points quickly, and have fun.
Play loose, creative, and don’t let mistakes get to you mentally or physically.
At the end of the day, it’s a game, and something that you’ve had FUN with your whole life, why stop enjoying it when you mess up,
Play to have fun.
Playing with confidence is more important than playing well.
Pre-game prep is very serious and find ways to be motivated because it makes it easier to focus and not overthink.
Relax.
Relax and have fun. If your too serious it can affect your play
Relax and overall HAVE FUN.
Repetition and having a “next point” mindset.
Same as every other day.
Smile! Just trust, it helps.
Stick to a routine to play consistently well.
Stop thinking! You practice so that your body will know what to do in these situations.
Stretch and always be ready at a moments notice, even on the bench.
Take a deep breath, and visualize.
Take the moment, don’t be scared and enjoy it.
That you can lose a point being too careful and you could lose a point going for it. For us to win, we need to go for it.
The gym is your best friend.
The hard work you put in will pay off.
To prepare well so everything comes naturally in the game.
Too play as confident as possible.
Don’t be perfect but be a perfect teammate.
Don’t bring previous plays into the current situation.
Each point is a unique opportunity.
Don’t dwell on your mistakes. Everyone makes them.
Have fun!
Nerves are going to happen, but if you play without a care and confident, you play better.
You trained for this and that’s why you know what you can do and that you are prepared for it.
Trust yourself.
Trust yourself and carry yourself how you would in practice.
Try not to be nervous but it’s ok if you are.
Just have fun, be focused, and repeat what you practiced.
Just play.
Try to stay as relaxed on the court as you can.
Treat it like you do at practice. When I first started playing, I was so nervous out there my legs and body started shaking. Take a breath. It still happens to me sometimes now.
Use your nerves to sharpen your skills. Calm yourself but keep a little bit of nerve.
Wake up early and drink plenty of fluids.
Wake up early and prepare as soon as you are ready to warm-up with confidence.
When games get crazy, try to find a headspace that calms you down, and queues you in for high performance.
Make sure to ask questions.
Have fun!
You are allowed to make mistakes. Volleyball is a game of them.
Soak in each moment because it goes by in a flash.
Stay engaged and positive even if you aren’t playing.
Stay humble. Never assume you’re going to win, play your own game.