NCAA volleyball recruiting just went through its biggest change in decades.
Roster caps replaced scholarship limits. Programs can now offer more money but have fewer spots.
Here's what that means for your family.
What Changed (In Plain English)
Old system: D1 volleyball programs had 12 scholarships to split among as many players as they wanted. Rosters could be 20, 22, even 25 players. Most athletes got partial scholarships. Walk-ons filled the rest.
New system (as of July 1, 2025): Programs are capped at 18 players total. All 18 can receive full or partial scholarships. No more unlimited rosters.
This came out of the House v. NCAA settlement. The goal was to give athletes more scholarship money. The side effect? Fewer total roster spots.
More Money Per Player, Fewer Players Total
Programs can now offer up to 18 scholarships (up from 12).
That sounds great. And for the 18 players who make the roster, it is.
But if you're player #19, you're out of luck. Programs that used to carry 22 players now have to cut to 18.
That's 4 fewer spots per team. Multiply that across every D1 program and you're looking at hundreds of lost opportunities nationwide.
Walk-Ons Are Basically Gone
Under the old system, walk-ons were common. You'd make the team without a scholarship and hope to earn playing time (and maybe scholarship money) later.
Under the new system, walk-ons count against the 18-player cap.
Coaches have to decide: Do I use roster spot #18 on a walk-on who might develop, or do I give it to a scholarship player who can contribute right away?
Most programs are choosing the scholarship player.
If you're counting on walking on and earning a scholarship later, that path just closed for most D1 programs.
The Competition Just Got Tighter
Fewer roster spots = higher standards.
Coaches can't afford to take a chance on a project player anymore. Every spot matters.
If you're a borderline D1 recruit, you're now competing with players who would've been walk-ons under the old system but are now fighting for scholarship spots under the new one.
The bar didn't just move. It moved up.
The Bottom Line
18 roster spots. Up to 18 scholarships. Fewer walk-ons. Higher standards.
The system changed. Your recruiting strategy needs to change with it.
Know your level. Start early. Be realistic about where you'll get the best opportunity.
The spots are still there. There are just fewer of them.