During her 15-year tenure as the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Florida, Mary Wise has led the Gators to a perfect 15 SEC regular season championships. She rocked a span of 100 straight victories and has won more than 90 percent of her matches. Here, Wise offers advice about getting on court with a top college program.

Play as often as possible. “Being involved with club teams, attending camps and being proactive overall is the best way to get yourself out there. Volleyball is not like football, which has tons of player coverage. We don’t have the same resources and media information, so volleyball players and their parents need to be proactive.”

Use the Web. “The Internet is one of the most valuable tools for initiating and directing communication with coaches. Get online and find a school with a program you like in the area of the country you’re interested in. Do some research on that school and its program, and then open the lines of communication.”

Advice that is often lost in the quest for a spot on a college roster. “Remember, there are great programs and coaches in Division II, Division III and NAIA—not just in Division I. There are more volleyball programs out there than ever.”

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