What does it take to be ready for college volleyball beyond having the skills to compete?

In Part 2 of her conversation with Dana Burkholder, founder of Volleyball Village, Susan explores how athletes can build the resourcefulness, emotional resilience, and capacity to handle the demands of playing at the next level.

Dana explains how an athlete’s everyday environment—including friendships, nutrition, sleep, music, and personal habits—can influence how they show up at practice and competition. She shares how taking ownership of these choices can help athletes become more focused, adaptable, and prepared to handle challenges.

They also discuss what college coaches notice when evaluating recruits. How does an athlete respond after a mistake? What happens when she gets subbed out, faces a difficult tournament day, or has to reset after a tough match? These moments can reveal important qualities beyond physical ability, including emotional regulation, mindset, and how an athlete supports her teammates.

Susan and Dana also look at the role clubs and coaches play in preparing athletes for college. From helping players develop better habits and communication skills to providing ongoing education and mentorship, they discuss ways the volleyball community can better support the whole athlete.

Plus, Dana shares how she hopes to expand Volleyball Village’s resources for athletes, parents, coaches, and clubs.

If you’re pursuing college volleyball, supporting an athlete through recruiting, or working to develop players, this conversation offers a valuable reminder: preparing for the next level is about more than how you play. It’s also about how you respond, adapt, and contribute.

Chapters

00:15 – Preparing for the demands of college volleyball

02:00 – Building a supportive environment

03:15 – Everyday habits that influence performance

06:45 – Taking ownership of your choices

10:45 – Resourcefulness and building capacity

13:30 – Making the transition from club to college

14:45 – What college coaches look for beyond skills

16:30 – How athletes respond to mistakes and pressure

18:00 – Resetting after a difficult tournament day

21:30 – How clubs can better prepare athletes

23:30 – Developing athletes and coaches throughout the season

26:00 – Why coach education and mentorship matter

27:30 – Dana’s vision for Volleyball Village

29:30 – Resources for athletes, parents, and clubs

32:15 – Helping athletes recognize the value they bring

About the guest

Dana Burkholder is the founder of Volleyball Village, a resource center supporting athletes, parents, coaches, and others in the volleyball community. A former two-time First Team All-American setter at the University of Arizona and member of the USA National Team, Dana has spent more than two decades coaching and directing club volleyball programs. Her work now focuses on whole-person development, self-awareness, and helping athletes and coaches thrive both on and off the court.

Connect with Dana:

Website: https://volleyballvillage.com/home

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@volleyball-village/featured

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

What makes an athlete recruitable beyond their physical skills?

In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Dana Burkholder, founder of Volleyball Village and a former two-time First Team All-American setter at the University of Arizona, to explore the person behind the player.

Dana shares why self-worth, confidence, and self-awareness matter in athlete development, and how a performance-focused culture can sometimes leave athletes questioning whether they’re good enough. They discuss how athletes can recognize the value they bring to a team beyond points and statistics, and why personal growth matters just as much as achievement.

They also explore how coaches’ words can shape an athlete’s beliefs, why positive and intentional communication matters, and how coaches can challenge players while still helping them build confidence.

Susan and Dana discuss the balance parents face between providing support and allowing athletes to develop independence. Dana explains why athletes need opportunities to take ownership, solve problems, ask for help, and become more resourceful in their own development.

If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach looking to build confidence and develop the person behind the player, this conversation offers a valuable perspective on what growth in volleyball can really look like.

Chapters

00:00 – Developing the person behind the athlete

02:30 – Dana’s journey from player to coach

05:00 – Why youth volleyball needs a more holistic approach

08:00 – Self-worth beyond performance

12:45 – How coaches’ words shape athletes

15:30 – Resources for coaches and personal development

18:15 – Building self-awareness and emotional regulation

20:45 – What a resourceful athlete looks like

23:30 – Hydration and caring for your body

25:15 – Helping athletes without doing everything for them

28:15 – Supporting athletes through stress and pressure

32:15 – Building capacity for recruiting and college volleyball

33:00 – What’s coming in Part 2

About the guest:

Dana Burkholder is the founder of Volleyball Village, a resource center supporting athletes, parents, coaches, and others in the volleyball community. A former two-time First Team All-American setter at the University of Arizona and member of the USA National Team, Dana has spent more than two decades coaching and directing club volleyball programs. Her work now focuses on whole-person development, self-awareness, and helping athletes and coaches thrive both on and off the court.

Connect with Dana:

Website: https://volleyballvillage.com/home

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@volleyball-village/featured

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

Recruiting feels slower in the fall, and if you're watching other athletes commit while your inbox stays quiet, it's easy to wonder if you're falling behind. But a quiet recruiting season doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.

In this episode, Susan explains why college coaches have less time for recruiting during their competitive season and why sending more emails isn't always the best way to make progress. Instead of creating activity just to feel productive, you can use the fall to become a better player, evaluate your recruiting strategy, and prepare for the opportunities that may come in the spring.

Susan shares three things athletes should focus on right now: improving their volleyball skills, making sure their target list is aligned with their abilities and goals, and getting organized before club season begins. She also explains why recruiting happens in waves, why other athletes' commitment announcements don't tell the whole story, and how to stay connected with college coaches in a thoughtful, intentional way.

Chapters
00:15 – Why recruiting feels slower in the fall
01:45 – What college coaches are focused on during season
03:45 – When doing more doesn't mean making progress
06:30 – Three things to focus on right now
08:30 – Evaluate your recruiting strategy
10:00 – Prepare now so you're ready for club season
11:15 – Organizing your recruiting process with RallySend
14:00 – Recruiting happens in waves
17:30 – Get ready for the right opportunity
18:15 – How to email college coaches during the fall
20:30 – Finding the right recruiting support

https://nxtvb.circle.so/options-d39582

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.