Walking On to College Volleyball | RosterWise™

What walking on means

A walk-on is a player who joins a college athletic team without an athletic scholarship. Walk-ons earn their roster spot through tryouts or by being invited by the coaching staff, and they participate in the same practices, training, and competition as scholarship players.

There are two types:

• Preferred walk-ons are invited by the coaching staff before the season. They have a guaranteed roster spot and the coach has specifically identified them as additions to the team. Preferred walk-ons may receive scholarship money in subsequent years based on their performance and contribution.
• Open tryout walk-ons earn their spot through a general tryout, competing against other hopefuls for whatever roster spots are available. This is the less certain path, and the success rate at competitive programs is low.

Both types of walk-ons are full members of the team. The difference is how they arrive, not their status once on the roster.

The House settlement’s impact on walk-ons at D1

The 2025 House v. NCAA settlement has meaningfully reduced walk-on opportunities at opt-in D1 programs.

Before the settlement: D1 women’s volleyball programs had 12 head count scholarships and no formal roster limit. Many programs carried 16-20 or more players: 12 on full scholarship plus walk-ons and preferred walk-ons. Walk-on spots were a significant part of roster construction.

After the settlement (opt-in schools): Programs are capped at 18 players. With the ability to distribute scholarship money across all 18 spots, many programs will choose to fund most or all of their roster. The math leaves very little room for walk-ons. A program that funds 16-17 players might carry 1-2 walk-ons. Some may carry none.

At non-opt-in D1 schools: The pre-settlement structure remains. These programs still operate with 12 head count scholarships and no formal roster limit, so walk-on opportunities may be more available — but this varies by program.

The honest takeaway: If your athlete is considering walking on to a D1 volleyball program that has opted into the House settlement, the opportunity is significantly more limited than it was before the settlement. Families should contact the program directly to ask whether walk-on tryouts are offered and how many walk-on spots the program typically carries.

Walk-on opportunities at D2

D2 women’s volleyball programs operate under the equivalency model with 8 scholarships distributed across the roster. Most D2 rosters carry 16-22 players, meaning a significant portion of the roster may not be on athletic scholarship.

Walk-on opportunities at D2 are generally more available than at opt-in D1 programs:

• D2 does not have the same 18-player roster limit
• Programs often need depth beyond their scholarship players
• Preferred walk-on invitations are common for athletes the coach has identified but cannot fund
• Open tryouts vary by program — some hold them, some do not

D2 walk-ons who perform well can earn scholarship money in subsequent years as the coach has flexibility to redistribute equivalency aid.

Walk-on opportunities at D3

Division III does not offer athletic scholarships, so in a sense, every D3 player is a “walk-on” from a financial aid perspective. However, D3 coaches actively recruit players and have significant influence over the admissions process for their recruits.

The distinction at D3 is between:

• Recruited players — Athletes the coach has identified, communicated with during the recruiting process, and supported through admissions
• Walk-on players — Athletes who try out for the team after enrolling, without prior contact with the coaching staff

D3 roster sizes vary widely. Some competitive D3 programs carry 16-20 players and are highly selective. Others carry 20-30 and welcome walk-on talent. The best way to assess walk-on viability at a D3 program is to contact the coach directly — many D3 coaches are responsive to outreach from prospective students who are genuinely interested in both the school and the volleyball program.

Walk-on opportunities at NAIA

NAIA programs offer up to 8 scholarships for women’s volleyball, with rosters that typically range from 16-22 players. Walk-on culture at NAIA programs varies, but many NAIA coaches welcome walk-on athletes — particularly those with competitive club or high school experience.

NAIA programs often operate with smaller staffs and smaller recruiting budgets, which means they may not have identified every potential recruit in their region. An athlete who reaches out directly and demonstrates genuine interest can sometimes find a walk-on opportunity that was not advertised.

What the walk-on tryout looks like

Walk-on tryout formats vary by program, but typically include:

• Skills testing — Serving accuracy, passing consistency, attacking efficiency, blocking footwork, and defensive movement
• Scrimmage play — Live play against current roster players to evaluate game sense, competitiveness, and how the athlete performs under pressure
• Athletic testing — Some programs include general athleticism assessments (vertical jump, sprint times, agility)

The competition is real. Walk-on tryouts at competitive programs attract former high school and club players who are genuinely talented. The bar for making the roster is not participation — it is demonstrating that you can contribute to the team’s competitive goals.

Preparation matters. Athletes considering a walk-on tryout should arrive in excellent physical condition, having maintained their skills through club play, open gyms, or individual training. Showing up to a tryout after months without touching a volleyball is unlikely to produce a positive result.

Realistic expectations

Walking on to a college volleyball program is possible. People do it every year, at every division. But families should enter the process with clear-eyed expectations:

• At opt-in D1 programs, walk-on spots are scarce. The 18-player roster limit leaves minimal room, and the spots that exist are highly competitive.
• At D2 and NAIA programs, walk-on opportunities are more available but not guaranteed. Contact the coaching staff early — before enrolling, if possible.
• At D3 programs, walk-on culture varies widely by program. Some welcome it; others effectively fill their roster through recruiting before the school year begins.
• Playing time is not guaranteed. Making the roster as a walk-on is one challenge. Earning playing time is another. Many walk-ons spend their first year (or more) developing in practice without seeing the court in matches.
• The experience can be outstanding. Walk-ons who earn their way onto a roster and eventually into the lineup often describe it as one of the most rewarding experiences of their college career. The path is harder, but the result can be deeply meaningful.

How to improve your chances

If walking on is the plan, these steps increase the likelihood of success:

1. Contact the coaching staff before enrolling. Express your interest, share film, and ask whether walk-on tryouts are available. A coach who knows you are coming is more likely to give you a fair evaluation.
2. Choose a program where you fit. Use roster data to identify programs with genuine needs at your position and class year. Walking on to a program that already has five players at your position is a much harder proposition than walking on where there is a clear gap.
3. Stay in competitive shape. Train seriously in the months leading up to tryouts. Volleyball-specific conditioning, skill work, and competitive play all matter.
4. Be realistic about division level. If your athlete was a strong high school player but not recruited at D1, the walk-on path is more viable at D2, D3, or NAIA — where the competition level aligns better with their current ability.
5. Have a backup plan. Walking on is not guaranteed. Enrolling at a school that is a strong academic and social fit regardless of whether volleyball works out is a wise approach.

Walking on is a legitimate path. It requires preparation, realistic self-assessment, and persistence — but for the right athlete at the right program, it can be the beginning of a meaningful college volleyball career.