In order to get a scholarship to play volleyball in college, you must first get into college. Maybe that seems obvious, but trust us—that's not a mistake you want to make. Like any high schooler looking to get into college, solid grades and good SAT/ACT numbers are a must. It's also crucial that you start talking to coaches and building relationships at schools that interest you sooner rather than later.

Volleyball is what's called an equivalency sport, meaning that each program has a fixed amount of scholarship money it can allocate between its players (source). D-I women's programs receive the equivalent of 12 full scholarships to distribute throughout the team, while men only get 4.5 (source).

D-II programs have the equivalent of 8 scholarships available for women, and still only 4.5 for men. For both men's and women's NAIA programs, that number is 8 (source).

To be honest, getting one of these coveted scholarships depends less on specific stats than other sports. Instead, coaches are looking for players to fill specific roles on the team, and you can improve your chances by taking recruiting trips and sending highlight videos to potential teams (source). Additionally, the connections you've (hopefully) made by competing in tournaments and playing for a club team should prove to be an asset, as well.

All that being said, the story of Karsta Lowe's rise from walk-in to star player at UCLA should give a little hope to prospective athletes.