When it comes to volleyball, college recruiting can be more difficult than returning a 70 mph serve. Getting noticed by the top volleyball recruiting programs can be a difficult task, and it's even harder to keep track of all the volleyball programs you've applied for (and perhaps even volleyball scholarship offers). But there are some steps you can take now that will make getting recruited for college volleyball a painless, and even fun, experience.

The first thing you need to do is make a great college volleyball recruiting profile. Some things you'll want to include are:

• A volleyball recruiting video with clips of you executing different kinds of skills.
• A complete listing of the teams and coaches you have played for.
• Information on your academic history, which will help the coach determine if you are a good fit for the school as well as for the team.

But the profile alone isn't enough. Think of it as the set - it won't score you points unless you "spike" it by making sure college volleyball coaches are seeing it and you. There are several ways to communicate with college coaches - emailing coaches and getting volleyball coaches to see you play are two popular options. And this is no time to be boring! There are easy ways to be creative and get noticed by volleyball coaches.

Finally, remember to be realistic about your school options. Plan a clear strategy for volleyball recruiting that outlines your dream schools, target schools and safety schools. To get recruited at the best volleyball program for you, know yourself and communicate with coaches to learn more about the teams and schools you are applying for.