For decades sports and education have gone hand in hand at many American Universities. Students are proud to represent their schools in leagues which can also pave the way into their future careers and universities get media coverage and stronger reputations. When it comes to college admissions in America, sports grant a special advantage to students by providing them with full scholarships based on their year’s performance in a particular sport. This full scholarship covers most of one’s expenses, such as tuition, housing, meals, books, training equipment as well as travel and hotel costs at away games.
Volleyball is one such sport that can provide you with full scholarships in different universities in the USA. It is one of the biggest international sports, with its two forms beach volleyball and team volleyball being a part of the Olympics. If you are a player of this team sport of net and ball and want to acquire the best college for yourself this article is for you. Keep in mind all that year in and out training you did, it’s time to get rewarded for all your sweat and hardship.
We bring you the best volleyball colleges for both men and women. This list has the best and most acclaimed colleges of the US, being a part, of which will not only give you access to the best education and training but also help in the making of your bright future. Take a seat a read on to find yourself the best college.
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Best College Women Volleyball Team
Women’s Volleyball has always been one of the most competitive and fierce sports loved by all of America for generations. Here’s your opportunity to gain yourself a college through this sport. Scroll down to find out the best 10 volleyball college teams.
The University of Wisconsin, Madison
This college loves its number one position and in no manner is about to hand it to anyone else anytime soon. Wisconsin is considered 3rd best team of all time in the history NCAA. This college sponsors 12 varsity sports and gives out scholarships to 450 female athletes. With Kelly Sheffield holding the reigns of this team for the last 7 years, he has bought up some of the best players. Their star player Sydney Hilley and other wonderful players Dana Rettke, Grace Loberg are doing a great job in making the name of this team.
Stanford University
Being one of the top universities of America, Stanford is living up to its name, shining on the volleyball court with the same spirits as in any other field. Their women’s team is a 2 times champion in Division 1, with Kevin Hambly as their coach. They have appeared in 39 NCAA tournaments and have the most ever runner-up finishes. Its alumnae have won multiple medals in the Olympics and they also had 2 players in the 2014 championship squad to Italy.
University of Texas, Austin
This university situated in heart of the Texas state makes number 3 in our list due to its powerful and fiery performance in not only games but on the academic board as well. Team members care about their game and grades giving the team an academic progress rate of 984. After this great score, the Longhorns also have 58 All-American accolades to date, with 5 of them landing AVCA All-American teams this season.
The University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team is one of the most celebrated teams of all time with 5 NCAA national championships in their pockets. The reigns of the team are currently in the hands of coach John Cook who has led the team to 4 of its national championships defeating all our top 3 picks in different years. The team doesn’t only scores well on the court but also has an excellent academic progress rate of 989.
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State is one of the best universities for volleyball scholarships. Headed by coach Russell Rose for the last 40 seasons, the team has 7 national championship titles and 24 conference championships under their pockets. Penn State has given 3 All-American players and 2 of its alumnae were part of the women’s volleyball team that won an international championship after defeating China in 2014.
Baylor University
The team famously known as Lady bears is relatively new to the national spotlight yet is a shining star. In NCAA polls among the Women’s volleyball team, they held no.1 position. Even though they are yet to win an NCAA championship, they have won 12 big conferences under coach Ryan McGuire with a record of 15-1.
University of Florida
Situated in Gainesville, Florida their team is quite popular and talented. Florida Gators can be seen standing on the podium every year at the Southeastern Conference (SEC), they have secured many individual awards. They compete in Division I of NCAA championships.
Michigan State University
They are players of the Division I NCAA championship and constantly contribute to All-American players. The team is being coached by Cathy George since 2005 who has led them into 3 regional finals and one semi-final.
University of Minnesota
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are coached by Hugh McCutcheonformer head coach of both US men’s and women’s national volleyball team. The team has been in the final four 5 times and also has given many All-American players.
The University of California, San Diego
USCD’s volleyball team is doing quite well on and off-court. The reigns of the team are in hands of coach Ricci Luytieswho is all ready to lead them in their first season as an NCAA Division I member.
Top Colleges for Men Volleyball
Men’s Volleyball has gained fame in America in recent years and we have bought you the top 10 best colleges to get scholarships from this sport. Scroll down to read the list.
California State University Long Beach
The Long Beach men’s volleyball team is being coached by Alan Knipe since 2001. It has won 3 NCAA championships in back-to-back years. This team has also won Big West Conference for 2 consecutive years. Their most notable alumnae are Bob Ctvirtlik, a member of the 1988 gold-medal team, and Tom Hoff a member of the 2008 U.S gold-medal team in Beijing. They have given many remarkable players to America’s national team.
University of California
UCLA has one of the best college teams in any sport, volleyball being no exception. UCLA has excellent scholarship programs for athletes. Since the establishment of Men’s volleyball team in 1970, it has won a total of 19 NCAA titles. Some of the legendary players like Steve Salmons and Karch Kiraly have played for this team.
Brigham Young University
BYU Cougars are quite new to the court, their team is only 29 years old has yet been successful in various games. They are a fan favourite team. The Cougars have won 3 national titles in 1999, 2001, and 2004 and are currently coached by Shawn Olmstead who is in his 5th season.
Ohio State University
Ohio state offers 18 varsity sports, volleyball is one of them. The reign of this team is held by Kevin Burch, who is starting his 1st season as head coach. Before him, till 2019 team was coached by Pete Hanson who led the team to win 2 NCAA tournament titles. In total the team has 3 national titles and has won 17 tournament titles and 27 regular seasons MIVA titles.
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State offers athletic scholarships to top players across the country. The team is coached by Mark Pavlik since 1995, who was awarded AVCA National Coach of the Year in 2008. Under his guidance, the team has a record of 15 straight NCAA final four appearances and has also won once in 2008. Penn State volleyball team has also been sending All-American players since its establishment.
Loyola University, Chicago
Loyola University has many promising players and is coached by Mark Hulse. The Ramblers have won 2 Men’s National Collegiate Volleyball Championship, in 2014 and 2015 respectively. It has given over a dozen All-American players, Thomas Jaeschke being their star alumnae having won the national player of the year in 2015 and a bronze medal in the 2016 Olympic games.
University of California, Irvine
Irvine Anteaters moved to the Big West Conference’s inaugural men’s volleyball league at the starting of season 2017-2018. They are a relatively new team with Kevin Tille, David Smith, and Carson Clark as some of their shinning alumnae. Anteaters have won 4 NCAA Men’s National Collegiate Volleyball Championships and have appeared in additional 3 tournaments.
University of Southern California
The USC Trojans started awarding scholarships to players in the 1976-1977 season. The team is coached by Jeff Nygaard, a beach volleyball player who played in the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team has won 4 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championships and came second seven times. If you are a beach volleyball player this is your go-to university.
University of Hawaii, Manoa
Another great college to secure a beach volleyball scholarship. The Rainbow Warriors are currently being coached by Charlie Wade and has 3 perfect undefeated conference seasons and in the 2020-2021 season completed their first undefeated season by defeating UC Irvine in the finals.
Pepperdine University: Located outside the city of Malibu, California, Pepperdine University offers an excellent program for beach volleyball players. They have won 4 national titles and Robert Jan “Bob” Ctvrtlik one of America’s best volleyball players and Olympic gold medalist is an alumina player of Pepperdine Waves. The Waves are doing quite well.
