You say you want to play volleyball in college.
But what if the real thing stressing you out isn’t the goal… it’s the timeline you attached to it?
In this episode, Susan unpacks one of the biggest hidden pressures in recruiting: the belief that it should have happened by now. For the Class of 2026 and 2027 especially, watching other athletes commit can create a quiet panic — even when you’re doing everything “right.”
Susan breaks down the two biggest sources of recruiting frustration: timelines and expectations. She explains why timing is often just a guess, why attaching your confidence to a date creates unnecessary pressure, and how to shift your focus back to what you can actually control.
She also dives into a deeper question: are your expectations rooted in desire… or fear? Because the difference between those two changes everything.
If recruiting has started to feel heavy, uncertain, or discouraging, this episode will help you reset. You only need one aligned yes. And your time is coming — even if it’s not on the schedule you imagined.
Chapters
00:00 – The ultimate goal: you only need one aligned “yes”
01:30 – Why recruiting feels frustrating (Classes of ’26 & ’27)
02:30 – The Timeline Trap: why timing creates pressure
05:30 – What you can control vs. what you can’t
07:00 – Expectations layered onto the goal
08:30 – Desire vs. fear: where your expectations come from
11:30 – Are you limiting yourself to one specific outcome?
13:30 – Division, location, academics — what really matters?
16:15 – What happens when you drop the timeline
18:30 – The “drops in the bucket” mindset
22:00 – The Celebration Game: building confidence through small wins
23:30 – “Your time is coming — and it’s always on time”
25:00 – Recruiting is more than strategy
27:30 – Final reflection: timelines, expectations, and choosing from desire
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Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank
P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.