If you're a competitive recruit but you don't want to go D1, you might be worried about competitive opportunities available to you in the lower divisions of college sports. However, just because you're not going D1, that doesn't mean that you have to give up competitive play. That said, the world of college conferences is confusing, especially in Division III, so how do you know where to go? Here is a list of the top 3 most competitive volleyball conferences for women and men in the NCAA* to help your recruiting process:
Women's Volleyball Conferences:
The University Athletic Association (UAA)
To say this conference is competitive is an understatement: six teams from the UAA made it on the 2022 NCAA regional rankings list: NYU, Emory, Carnegie Mellon, CWRU, Washington University in St. Louis, and UChicago. Four teams, NYU, Emory, Carnegie Mellon, and UChicago, competed in the 2022 NCAA tournament, with NYU making it all the way to the semifinals.
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The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)
All 2022 Region I rankings were filled with NESCAC teams: Tufts, Wesleyan, Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Colby. Additionally, two teams from this conference competed in the 2022 NCAA tournament: including Tufts and Wesleyan. If you want postseason opportunities, the NESCAC is the place for you!
The Landmark Conference
Two teams, Juniata and Scranton were ranked regionally. Both teams competed in the 2022 NCAA tournament, and Juniata became the 2022 NCAA Women's Volleyball champions. This conference is based in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Not only does this conference give you opportunities to reach the postseason, but it also gives you the chance to play with/against the best Division III players in the country.
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Men's Volleyball Conferences:
The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
Based in the upper midwest, this conference contains three regionally ranked teams. Aurora University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Dominican University (IL) who made it to the quarterfinal of the NCAA tournament. The NACC is full of tough competition and provides you with a chance to continue your season past your conference tournaments!
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The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
This conference contains two regionally ranked teams: Carthage College, who are ranked first in Region III, and North Central College. Carthage College were also the 2022 NCAA Men's Volleyball champions. There is no better place to learn and grow as a player when your teammates and opponents are national champions!
The Commonwealth Coast Conference
Out of New England, the Commonwealth Coast Conference contains two regionally ranked teams; Wentworth Institute of Technology and Endicott College. Both teams played in the NCAA tournament, with Wentworth going all the way to the semifinal. The CCC will provide you with great opportunities to get better as a Division III volleyball player.
*All statistics and information came from the NCAA 2022 women's and men's regional rankings, as well as the 2022 NCAA women's and men's tournament bracket.
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* Originally published on March 7, 2023, by Bella Nevin
