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Why New Jersey Middle Schoolers (and High School Underclassmen) Should Spike Their Way to Success: The Case for Fall Volleyball

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9/23/25

BASKETBALL PLAYERS TAKE NOTICE!

A compelling argument for 7th and 8th graders planning their high school athletic careers, plus current freshmen and sophomores looking to expand their athletic horizons

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Volleyball is Having a Moment

Picture this: You’re a 7th or 8th grader who loves basketball and dreams of playing in high school. But what if we told you that the sport experiencing the most explosive growth in girls high school athletics could be the perfect complement to your basketball future?

Volleyball is no longer basketball’s little sister: it’s becoming its rival.

For the first time in sports history, more high school girls now play volleyball than basketball nationally. In New Jersey alone, 12,212 girls are discovering what makes volleyball the fastest-growing girls sport in America. And here’s the kicker: 340+ New Jersey high schools offer volleyball programs, meaning opportunities are literally everywhere.

For current 7th and 8th graders, next fall could be your entry point into a sport that’s reshaping the high school athletic landscape. And for current high school freshmen and sophomores? It’s absolutely not too late to join the volleyball revolution and become a dual sport athlete.

The Perfect Athletic Marriage: Why Basketball Players Excel at Volleyball

Shared Athletic DNA

If you’ve mastered the basketball court, you already possess 80% of what makes a volleyball star. Both sports demand:

As one college recruiter noted: “In volleyball, you have to be good at everything. You have to work together more.” Sound familiar? It’s the same team chemistry that makes great basketball players.

The Height Advantage

Young basketball players often worry about height in volleyball, but here’s the secret: volleyball positions fit every body type. While front-row players benefit from height, the libero and defensive specialist positions are designed for shorter, quicker athletes. The sport “appeals not just to the super tall but the super small… where they can find success at a very high level.”

Why Planning for Fall Volleyball + Winter Basketball = Athletic Gold

1. The Science of Multi-Sport Success

30 out of the 32 first round picks in the 2017 NFL draft were multi sport athletes in high school. The benefits are undeniable:

2. Perfect Seasonal Timing

Fall volleyball runs from August through November: the perfect lead-in to basketball season. You’ll:

3. Dual Recruitment Opportunities

Playing two sports can increase your odds of getting recruited when you reach high school and beyond. As you develop through your high school years, having skills in both basketball and volleyball creates multiple pathways to college athletics. In New Jersey’s competitive basketball landscape, volleyball offers an alternative pathway that many young athletes overlook.

For current high school underclassmen: Adding volleyball to your athletic resume as a freshman or sophomore still provides significant recruitment advantages. Many college coaches prefer well rounded athletes over single sport specialists.

The College Scholarship Revolution in Volleyball

Explosive Growth = More Opportunities

The numbers are staggering for volleyball recruitment:

The Recruiting Reality Check

Here’s what volleyball coaches are seeing: “Basketball is a hard sport to master. Unless you’re willing to put in the time and effort and have a certain level of athleticism and hand-eye skills, you will not be successful. In volleyball and lacrosse, those barriers are lower.”

This doesn’t mean volleyball is easy, it means more athletes can achieve success and catch the attention of college recruiters.

New Jersey’s Volleyball Advantage

Regional Powerhouse Potential

New Jersey is positioned perfectly for volleyball success:

Club Volleyball Paradise

New Jersey has one of the most extensive club volleyball networks in the country. For middle schoolers, this means:

Starting club volleyball in 7th or 8th grade positions you to be a standout high school recruit before you even set foot on campus.

The Club Connection

New Jersey’s robust club volleyball scene provides year-round development opportunities that complement future high school programs. Starting club volleyball in 7th or 8th grade could be the single best decision you make for your high school athletic future.

Here’s why club volleyball is a game-changer for New Jersey middle schoolers:

New Jersey offers numerous club options at every skill level, from beginner-friendly development programs to elite regional clubs. Starting now means you’ll be ahead of 90% of incoming freshmen who try volleyball for the first time in high school.

The Cultural Shift: Why Girls Are Choosing Volleyball

The Evolution of the Sport

Volleyball has evolved dramatically over the past decade, transforming into a sport that celebrates:

The Environment Factor

Many athletes find volleyball’s culture uniquely appealing. As one college player noted: “I just like the volleyball environment better. It’s a little more chill. Basketball is definitely more hard-core.”

Your Strategic Advantage: Starting Volleyball as a Rising High Schooler (Or Current Underclassman!)

The Perfect Entry Point

Unlike basketball, where elite competition often begins in elementary school, volleyball offers unique opportunities for students entering high school, and even for current freshmen and sophomores:

“For volleyball, most girls are not exposed to the sport outside of elementary or middle school gym class… someone with little experience or knowledge of the sport is far more likely to make it onto a HS volleyball team than they are in basketball.”

This means 7th and 8th graders have the perfect opportunity to develop volleyball skills before entering high school, giving them a significant advantage over complete beginners. But current high school freshmen and sophomores shouldn’t count themselves out, volleyball’s learning curve allows dedicated athletes to catch up quickly and make meaningful contributions to their teams.

Faster Path to High School Varsity (Even for Current Students!)

Your basketball skills provide an immediate advantage when you try out for high school volleyball. Many coaches actively recruit basketball players for their:

Starting volleyball training now, in 7th or 8th grade, especially through club volleyball, positions you to make varsity teams as a freshman or sophomore. This is something virtually impossible in basketball without years of elite training.

Current freshmen and sophomores: Your basketball experience makes you an attractive volleyball recruit RIGHT NOW. Many programs have JV spots available, and your athletic foundation means you could potentially earn varsity playing time by your junior year. This still provides plenty of time for college recruitment.

The Academic Advantage

Grade-Point Boost

Volleyball coaches want to keep their team GPA high, creating an environment where academic excellence is celebrated. Multi-sport athletes often develop better time management skills and academic discipline.

College Recruitment Timeline

Fall volleyball aligns perfectly with college recruitment calendars, giving you two sports worth of exposure during peak recruiting periods.

Making the Transition: Practical Steps for Middle Schoolers and High School Underclassmen

1. Explore Club Volleyball Programs Now

2. Summer Training is Crucial

3. Connect with Your High School Program

4. Build Your Athletic Foundation

The Bottom Line: In New Jersey’s competitive volleyball landscape, club experience isn’t just helpful: it’s essential for high school success. Starting now gives you a head start on your future teammates and competitors, whether you’re in 7th grade or currently a high school underclassman.

The Bottom Line: Why Wait?

In New Jersey’s competitive athletic landscape, volleyball represents an untapped opportunity for basketball players to:

“Play as many sports as you can in high school, and have fun with them,” advises Washington’s Kara Bajema, who earned state MVP honors in both basketball and volleyball before choosing volleyball for college.

Your Volleyball Future Starts Now

The next fall season is your opportunity, and New Jersey’s 340+ volleyball programs are looking for athletes just like you: middle schoolers and high school underclassmen with basketball court sense, athleticism, and competitive drive who are ready to excel in volleyball.

Don’t let this opportunity pass. While your classmates are still deciding what sports to try in high school, you could be building a dual-sport foundation that sets you apart in high school athletics and future college recruitment.

For 7th and 8th graders, the timing is perfect. You have one to two years to develop volleyball skills through club programs before entering the competitive high school landscape.

For current freshmen and sophomores, it’s absolutely not too late! Your basketball foundation gives you a huge advantage, and you still have 2 to 3 years of high school eligibility to make your mark in volleyball. This head start in a second sport could be the difference between making JV or varsity, and ultimately, between getting recruited or getting overlooked.

The question isn’t whether you can succeed in volleyball, it’s whether you’re ready to get ahead of the game through club volleyball and discover just how successful you can be as a dual-sport athlete.

Talk to your parents about club volleyball programs TODAY. Research New Jersey clubs in your area and attend information sessions this spring. Connect with club coaches about summer training opportunities. Current high school students: reach out to your volleyball coach about opportunities for basketball players. Your volleyball journey, and the high school athletic advantages that come with it, should start with club volleyball this summer.

Ready to spike your way to high school success? New Jersey’s extensive club volleyball network is waiting to help you get there, whether you’re in 7th grade or already walking the halls of your high school.

Previous Two Sport NJ High School Standouts:

Anna Morris, Immaculate Heart

Anna Morris of Immaculate Heart demonstrated the power of multi-sport athletics during her high school career, capturing four state championships for the Blue Eagles in volleyball before ultimately choosing to pursue basketball at the collegiate level. Her decision to focus on basketball at Northwestern has proven wise, showcasing how the athletic versatility developed through competing in multiple sports can translate into success at the highest levels.At Northwestern, Morris has been a valuable contributor off the bench, displaying the well-rounded skill set that made her such a coveted recruit. Her college career highlights include a career-high nine points against Ohio State with three blocks, and consistent contributions in scoring, rebounding, and defense. Coach Joe McKeown praised her unique combination of abilities, comparing her to former Northwestern standouts and noting how she “rebounds like Pallas and shoots like Scheid” – versatility that likely stems from her multi-sport background. Morris’s high school resume was exceptional in basketball, earning All-State, All-Section, All-Conference, and All-County honors four years running while averaging 14 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She was named Big North Player of the Year in 2018 and earned recognition on the Naismith High School Player of the Year Watch List, ultimately choosing Northwestern over offers from Power Five conferences and Ivy League schools. Her journey from four-time state volleyball champion to Division I basketball player exemplifies how multi-sport participation builds the athleticism, court awareness, and competitive drive that can serve athletes well regardless of which sport they ultimately choose to pursue at the next level. The hand-eye coordination, jumping ability, and team dynamics learned in volleyball have clearly enhanced her basketball career at Northwestern.

Jenna Rogers, Rutherford Bulldogs – Nebraska Cornhuskers

Former Rutherford High School standout Jenna Rogers exemplifies how multi-sport participation can fuel elite athletic achievement. While she holds the all-time school record for kills in volleyball at Rutherford, Rogers chose to focus on high jump when she arrived at Nebraska – a decision that has paid remarkable dividends. The general athletic development Rogers gained from excelling in two sports at the high school level provided the foundation for her extraordinary track and field career. At Nebraska, she became a school record holder and one of the program’s most decorated athletes, earning All-America honors eight times, including first-team recognition six times. Rogers’ college achievements are staggering: a USATF Silver Medal in 2023, five Big Ten championships, and consistent national-level performances. In 2024, she reached the pinnacle of her sport at the Olympic Team Trials, breaking Nebraska’s school record with a 6-3¼ clearance that tied for third place. Her 2025 indoor season saw her set facility records and earn her final All-America honor with a 10th-place finish at NCAAs.Beyond athletics, Rogers maintained academic excellence throughout her career, earning multiple Academic All-Big Ten honors and serving as an NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Representative. Her journey from volleyball standout to elite high jumper demonstrates how the athleticism, competitiveness, and work ethic developed through multi-sport participation can translate into exceptional success when an athlete chooses to specialize.

Nikki Woods – Demarest – Princeton Tigers

Nikki Woods of Demarest High School exemplifies how multi-sport participation can create the foundation for elite collegiate success. While her javelin throwing prowess ultimately led her to Princeton, Woods developed her exceptional athleticism competing for the Norsemen in multiple sports throughout her high school career including an amazing volleyball career. At Princeton, Woods has established herself as one of the premier javelin throwers in Ivy League competition. She holds the No. 5 spot on Princeton’s all-time javelin list with a personal best of 44.35m and earned Second Team All-Ivy honors in 2024. Her consistent excellence includes a second-place finish at Ivy Outdoor Heps in 2024 (43.27m) and a fourth-place showing in 2023 (44.06m). Woods arrived at Princeton with an impressive high school resume that showcased her national-level talent. She was a 2022 New Balance National Bronze Medalist and captured back-to-back New Jersey Meet of Champions titles in 2021 and 2022. Her high school personal best of 151’6″ ranked her 10th nationally among prep athletes, establishing her as one of the country’s top prospects. The athletic versatility Woods developed through multi-sport competition at Demarest has served her well in the demanding technical event of javelin throwing. The coordination, explosive power, and competitive mindset cultivated across different sports have translated seamlessly into her specialized focus at the collegiate level, proving once again how broad athletic participation can enhance performance when athletes choose to specialize at the next level.

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