2026 D3 commits (from VolleyTalk)

[FPYCparent]

I know D1 commits usually get all the attention, but a poster over at VolleyTalk compiled a list of high school seniors playing D3 volleyball in the fall. I don't know if I've ever seen a "unified" list like this for D3. A decent amount of CHRVA/DMV players on this list:

https://volleytalk.proboards.com/thread/107103

[Anonymous]

FPYCparent wrote:
I know D1 commits usually get all the attention, but a poster over at VolleyTalk compiled a list of high school seniors playing D3 volleyball in the fall. I don't know if I've ever seen a "unified" list like this for D3. A decent amount of CHRVA/DMV players on this list:

https://volleytalk.proboards.com/thread/107103

I was surprised to see so many players from ECVC - I didn't realize that it was so competitive (we don't often meet them in tournaments).

[Anonymous]

Looks like Va Elite and Va Juniors show up most often without counting. That seem correct?

[Anonymous]

The primary difference between D1 and D3 sports often comes down to time commitment, intensity, and the balance between athletics and academics.

Division I programs are typically more intense with greater time commitments. A D1 athletic schedule can be rigorous, often involving daily practices, sometimes twice a day, along with regular travel for games and meets. These programs typically have more resources available, such as access to top-tier coaching, state-of-the-art training facilities, and more substantial financial aid or sports scholarships. Many D1 athletes find their sports schedule can be like a full-time job.

On the other hand, Division III sports tend to strike a balance between athletics and academics. The time commitment for D3 athletics is generally less than D1, which can give you more time for academics, extracurricular activities, social life, and other interests. Practices are still regular and competitive but less intense compared to D1. Financial aid at the D3 level does not include athletic scholarships, but many schools offer robust financial aid packages based on need or academic merit.

Coaching styles can vary significantly by team and individual coach, not necessarily by division level. Still, the overall atmosphere might be less pressure-filled at D3 schools since the emphasis is more on the experience of the sport rather than high-stakes competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Va Elite and Va Juniors show up most often without counting. That seem correct?

That is accurate for CHRVA teams. I tallied the list for MD, VA, and DC:
• ECVC: 7
• VA Elite: 5
• VA Juniors: 5
• Five-Four-Zero: 5
• Loudoun Elite: 3
• Virginia Wave: 3
• Richmond VBC: 3
• Metro: 3
• Baltimore Elite: 2
• BRVC: 2
• Columbia Volleyball Academy: 2
• MD Jrs: 2
• River City: 2

[Anonymous]

STJ 18s had 3
Keelin O'Connell - L/DS (Cetennial/Gettysburg)
Wynn Mendez Eaton - S (UAA/University of Rochester)

https://prepdig.com/college/rochester-ny/

[Anonymous]

STJ 18s had 3 DIII Commits for 2026:

Keelin O'Connell - L/DS (Cetennial/Gettysburg)
Wynn Mendez Eaton - S (UAA/University of Rochester)
Esther Jung - OH/DS (Little East/Rhode Island College)

https://prepdig.com/college/rochester-ny/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Va Elite and Va Juniors show up most often without counting. That seem correct?

VAE have quite the D3 commit list from prior years. D1 not so much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Va Elite and Va Juniors show up most often without counting. That seem correct?

That is accurate for CHRVA teams. I tallied the list for MD, VA, and DC:
• ECVC: 7
• VA Elite: 5
• VA Juniors: 5
• Five-Four-Zero: 5
• Loudoun Elite: 3
• Virginia Wave: 3
• Richmond VBC: 3
• Metro: 3
• Baltimore Elite: 2
• BRVC: 2
• Columbia Volleyball Academy: 2
• MD Jrs: 2
• River City: 2

There are two from Academy. I saw one on the list and I know one is missing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Va Elite and Va Juniors show up most often without counting. That seem correct?

That is accurate for CHRVA teams. I tallied the list for MD, VA, and DC:
• ECVC: 7
• VA Elite: 5
• VA Juniors: 5
• Five-Four-Zero: 5
• Loudoun Elite: 3
• Virginia Wave: 3
• Richmond VBC: 3
• Metro: 3
• Baltimore Elite: 2
• BRVC: 2
• Columbia Volleyball Academy: 2
• MD Jrs: 2
• River City: 2

There are two from Academy. I saw one on the list and I know one is missing.

Oh wait, one the Academy players moved to MD Juniors this year because she had been playing up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Va Elite and Va Juniors show up most often without counting. That seem correct?

That is accurate for CHRVA teams. I tallied the list for MD, VA, and DC:
• ECVC: 7
• VA Elite: 5
• VA Juniors: 5
• Five-Four-Zero: 5
• Loudoun Elite: 3
• Virginia Wave: 3
• Richmond VBC: 3
• Metro: 3
• Baltimore Elite: 2
• BRVC: 2
• Columbia Volleyball Academy: 2
• MD Jrs: 2
• River City: 2

There are two from Academy. I saw one on the list and I know one is missing.

Oh wait, one the Academy players moved to MD Juniors this year because she had been playing up.

Is this the team that Coach Amy took with her from MoCo when she established Academy?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for tracking this these are every bit as important as D1 offers and a great accomplishment. Also useful to help parents think about future club selection and a reality check for skills comparison. The DMV is putting out a lot of good talent.

[Anonymous]

The NESCAC list from the DMV is pretty impressive - Tufts, Williams, Amherst, Hamilton, Colby, Bates- all great schools.

[FPYCparent]

My DD mentioned that there is at least one Metro 18 North player committed to a D3 school (not listed in the VolleyTalk thread).

...

As far as D1 vs. (D2 and) D3, it may already be obvious that some/many/most D1 can simply overlook prospects based on things like height. My kid (who is a front-row player, but not close to 6 feet) attended a camp at a D1 school last summer. The first-year coach there simply said that the program competes against so much height in-conference that they cannot seriously consider certain position players who aren't 6-0+.

With the top 2 CHRVA clubs often enjoying an over-abundance of height on its rosters, the remaining clubs still have very capable players that only lack height. As a result, those clubs may not ultimately produce numerous D1 commits (compared to the top 2), but they are still producing some good if not great collegiate players.