NXTVB

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.

What happens when your target list is too high?

In this episode, Susan breaks down one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of volleyball recruiting: targeting the right schools.

She explains what can happen when athletes build a list filled almost entirely with reach schools, from getting ignored by coaches to spending more time, money, and energy trying to get attention. That lack of response can start to affect an athlete’s confidence, mindset, and even how she performs on the court.

Susan also explains the positive cycle that happens when athletes target well. When coaches start responding, athletes gain confidence, create options, and can actually play more freely. And sometimes, that confidence and improved performance can even open the door to schools that once felt like reaches.

The conversation also explores why families should not overlook Division II volleyball. Susan shares why D2 can offer competitive volleyball, scholarship opportunities, strong coaching relationships, and another path to playing college volleyball—and why staying open to different levels can ultimately help athletes find the right fit.

If you’re building or questioning your target list, this episode will help you think differently about what it means to recruit strategically, create options, and take the pressure off.

Susan also shares information about the upcoming Division II College Coaches Camp in Petaluma, California, and how athletes can use opportunities like this to gain exposure, experience, and connections with college coaches.

Chapters

00:00 – What happens when you target well
02:00 – The confidence cycle of getting recruited
04:00 – When your target list is too high
06:00 – How recruiting pressure affects performance
08:30 – You might have a targeting problem, not an exposure problem
10:00 – How to build a smarter target list
12:00 – Creating options instead of chasing one school
15:00 – Why you shouldn’t overlook Division II
17:00 – The D2 opportunity families are missing
20:00 – Why college coach connections matter
21:30 – Using camps to create exposure and experience
24:00 – Recruit smarter, not just higher
25:30 – How Susan can help you build your target list
26:15 – Upcoming D2 College Coaches Camp

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.

How much should parents actually be involved in their daughter’s volleyball recruiting process?

What does it actually take to become a Division I volleyball player, and is D1 always the right goal?

In this special episode, Susan shares a preview of her conversation with her friend Desi McPhail on Your Mental Weight Room. Desi works with athletes on the mindset and mental side of performance, and the two dig into some of the parts of recruiting and college athletics that families don’t always get to see.

Susan breaks down what she sees in athletes who reach the D1 level, including the physicality, competitiveness, drive, and mindset required to compete at that level. She also explains why being undersized doesn’t automatically take D1 off the table and what some athletes develop to overcome physical limitations. 

But reaching D1 isn’t the only definition of recruiting success. Susan and Desi talk about why athletes need to understand what they actually want from their college experience, why playing and contributing at another level may be more valuable to some athletes, and why the path doesn’t always look the way you originally expected. 

They also pull back the curtain on conversations with college coaches and why coaches may be more direct behind the scenes than they are with recruits themselves.

This is only a small piece of Susan and Desi’s full conversation. Listen to the complete episode of Your Mental Weight Room HERE. 

Chapters

00:00 –Susan introduces Your Mental Weight Room

01:40 – What does it really take to become a D1 volleyball player?

03:00 – Why physicality matters in D1 recruiting

04:30 – Can undersized athletes still play D1?

06:25 – Is D1 actually what you want?

07:30 – When D2, D3, or another path may be a better fit

10:30 – Choosing your path based on desire instead of obligation

11:30 – What college coaches say behind the scenes

14:25 – Where to hear Susan and Desi’s full conversation 

Connect with Desi:

Instagram: @thisiscoachdesi

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.

How much should parents actually be involved in their daughter’s volleyball recruiting process?

In Part 2 of Susan’s conversation with three dads of 2028 Division I commits, the conversation shifts from what happened during recruiting to what it was really like to navigate the process as a parent.

The dads share the roles they took on behind the scenes, from managing spreadsheets, emails, film, travel, and school research to helping their daughters think through what they actually wanted in a college experience. They also get candid about the harder part: knowing when to stop coaching, listen more, manage their own stress, and give their daughters space to simply be teenagers.

They also talk about what happens after the commitment, why June 15th does not define an athlete, and the importance of running your own race instead of comparing your recruiting journey to someone else’s. The conversation closes with practical advice for looking beyond brand-name schools, evaluating where an athlete realistically fits, and using tools like Massey Ratings and virtual campus tours to discover programs families may otherwise overlook.

If you’re a parent wondering how to support your daughter without taking over her recruiting journey, this episode offers an honest look at what these dads learned along the way.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome back to Part 2

01:20 – What role should dads play in recruiting?

03:20 – Helping your athlete figure out what she really wants

05:20 – When being the coach gets in the way of being dad

07:40 – Protecting time for athletes to just be kids

08:35 – Who was actually the most stressed?

12:30 – What the dads will miss about recruiting

15:45 – What happens after your athlete commits?

17:30 – Final advice for parents navigating recruiting

19:20 – June 15th does not define your athlete

21:45 – Stop chasing only the brand-name schools

23:00 – Using Massey Ratings to find the right competitive fit

27:20 – Using virtual campus tours to narrow your list 

About the Guests:

Jason Wender
Father of Liv Wender, 2028 S, West Virginia Commit

Matthew Delaney
Father of Carolina Delaney, 2028 OH, Pepperdine Commit

Brett Baatrup
Father of Amaya Simon, 2028 MB, Colorado State Commit

Connect with the Players:

Amaya Simon: @amayaclassof2028

Carolina Delaney: @carolinadelaneyvb

Liv Wender: @livwendervolleyball

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 was it actually like to be inside Wrigley Field for one of the most talked-about volleyball events of the year?

In this bonus episode, Susan takes you behind the scenes of her experience at the Wrigley Field volleyball matches in Chicago. From attending Mizzou’s practice and getting media access to watching the matches from field level, Susan shares what she saw firsthand and what the experience was really like inside the stadium.

She talks about the unique challenges of playing volleyball outdoors, the elevated court, the atmosphere inside Wrigley, and what was happening from a fan’s perspective when court conditions eventually stopped play. Susan also shares what stood out to her about the athletes and their willingness to adapt, help find solutions, and make the most of an incredibly unusual situation.

But this episode is about more than what went wrong. Susan reflects on what it meant to see more than 40,000 volleyball fans show up for an event like this and how far the sport has come from the days when she had to record Olympic volleyball on VHS in the middle of the night just to watch it.

Was everything perfect? No. But Susan believes there’s a lot the volleyball world can learn from Wrigley and even more to be excited about when it comes to where the sport is headed. 

Chapters

00:00 – Why Susan went to Wrigley Field
 01:45 – Susan’s lifelong connection to volleyball
 05:00 – From recording volleyball on VHS to filling stadiums
 07:15 – Behind-the-scenes access at Wrigley
 09:10 – Seeing the outdoor court and practice firsthand
 11:00 – The challenges of playing volleyball outdoors
 12:00 – Why Susan was so impressed by the athletes
 15:00 – What happened with the court conditions
 17:00 – What the experience felt like inside the stadium
 18:00 – How the athletes responded
 20:00 – Was the Wrigley Field event still a success?
 24:00 – Susan’s favorite part of the entire experience
 27:00 – What Wrigley says about the future of volleyball 

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 does the volleyball recruiting process actually look like from the parent side?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Susan sits down with three volleyball dads whose daughters recently committed to Division I programs in the class of 2028. Each came into volleyball with experience in other sports, and each quickly discovered that college volleyball recruiting operates very differently.

They share what surprised them most about the process, what happened when June 15th arrived, and just how quickly calls, emails, offers, and decisions started moving. They also talk about college camps, visiting campuses early, building and narrowing a target school list, and trying to understand where their daughters realistically fit within the national recruiting landscape.

Susan also breaks down why recruiting can feel so subjective in volleyball, why measurable stats only tell part of the story, and why gaining clarity early can help families spend their time, energy, and resources more strategically.

If you’re a parent trying to understand what may be coming next in your daughter’s recruiting process, this episode gives you an honest look at what these families learned while going through it in real time.

Chapters

00:00 – Susan’s recruiting support and Volleyball Recruiting School
06:00 – Why these three dads wanted to share their experience
07:25 – Meet the volleyball dads and their daughters
11:25 – How volleyball recruiting differs from other sports
13:30 – What happened when June 15th arrived
18:50 – When families realized recruiting was moving fast
19:10 – Visiting campuses early to gain clarity
22:55 – Why camps matter more than families may realize
24:20 – Narrowing the school list and targeting strategically
27:20 – A late-blooming athlete and a very fast recruiting journey
29:20 – Why evaluating volleyball recruits is so subjective
31:35 – The importance of jump touch and measurable traits
32:20 – What’s coming in Part 2

About the Guests:

Jason Wender
Father of Liv Wender, 2028 S, West Virginia Commit

Matthew Delaney
Father of Carolina Delaney, 2028 OH, Pepperdine Commit

Brett Baatrup
Father of Amaya Simon, 2028 MB, Colorado State Commit

Connect with the Players:

• Amaya Simon: @amayaclassof2028
• Carolina Delaney: @carolinadelaneyvb
• Liv Wender: @livwendervolleyball

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 does an SEC head coach really look for when evaluating recruits?

In this episode, Susan sits down with University of Missouri head coach Dawn Sullivan to talk about recruiting, culture, and what she’s building at Mizzou. Dawn shares why talent is only one piece of the evaluation process and what she notices about an athlete’s competitiveness, resilience, communication, coachability, and how they respond when things don’t go their way.

They also dive into how Dawn rebuilt Mizzou’s roster, the role the transfer portal has played in the program, and why finding the right people and creating genuine relationships are at the center of her recruiting philosophy. Dawn gives athletes and parents a behind-the-scenes look at the things college coaches may be evaluating that recruits don’t always realize.

Then the conversation heads to Wrigley Field. Dawn shares how Mizzou was selected for the SEC-Big Ten Challenge, how the team has prepared to play outdoors, and what she hopes fans see when Mizzou takes the court on one of volleyball’s biggest stages.

Whether you’re navigating recruiting or simply excited about where college volleyball is headed, this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to build a program where talent, culture, and the right fit all matter.

Chapters

00:00 – Why this Mizzou conversation is special
02:25 – Meet Mizzou head coach Dawn Sullivan
05:35 – Dawn’s coaching journey and philosophy
07:15 – Building a program around people and culture
09:10 – Recruiting athletes who fit the program
11:20 – How Dawn evaluates character
12:20 – Building confidence, trust, and connection
16:25 – Rebuilding Mizzou volleyball
19:00 – Recruiting Missouri athletes
20:05 – How the transfer portal fits into Mizzou’s strategy
23:25 – What Dawn really looks for in recruits
27:05 – Grit, ownership, and the role of parents
30:00 – How the Wrigley Field match came together
32:20 – Preparing to play volleyball outdoors
36:20 – Mentally preparing for the Wrigley stage
37:35 – The personality behind this Mizzou team
40:05 – What Dawn hopes fans see at Wrigley 

About the Guest:

Dawn Sullivan is the head coach of Mizzou Volleyball, where she has quickly helped reestablish the Tigers as a contender in the SEC. Sullivan took over the program in December 2022 and led Mizzou to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in her first two seasons, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2024. She was named SEC Coach of the Year in her first season and AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year in 2024. Now entering her fourth season at Mizzou, Sullivan has compiled a 57–33 record with the Tigers and recently signed a contract extension through the 2029 season.

Before Mizzou, Sullivan spent five seasons as the head coach at UNLV, where she built the Rebels into one of the Mountain West's top programs. She went 109–38, led UNLV to five straight postseason appearances, two Mountain West championships and the 2021 NIVC Championship, while earning Mountain West Coach of the Year honors twice. Prior to UNLV, Sullivan spent 13 seasons on staff at Iowa State. A former All-American at Kansas State, she helped lead the Wildcats to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances as a player and was inducted into the Kansas State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

Connect with Dawn:

• Website: https://mutigers.com/sports/womens-volleyball
• Instagram: @dawn3sullivan

Link to the book:
Sidelined No Longer: The Untold Story of Women's College Sports by Karen S. Rudolph (Susan's Mom)

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 if volleyball could help you build opportunities that last long after your playing career ends?

In Part 2 of Susan’s conversation with professional volleyball player Bella Bergmark, they shift the conversation off the court and into NIL, social media, personal branding, and what athletes can start building while they’re still playing.

Bella shares how she went from being skeptical of social media to growing an audience, working with brands, and creating income through content. She explains why athletes don’t need a massive following to get started, what brands are actually looking for, and how sharing her own experiences with burnout and mental health helped her connect with thousands of other athletes.

They also get practical about overcoming the fear of posting, staying consistent, approaching brands, working with agencies, and creating content that fits into an already busy athlete schedule.

More than anything, Bella and Susan explore how athletes can use the opportunities available today to build skills, income, relationships, and a personal brand that can create more options when their playing career eventually ends.

Chapters

00:00 – Building opportunities beyond volleyball
 02:05 – Bella’s introduction to NIL
 04:25 – How athletes can build an audience
 06:05 – Why brands work with athletes
 07:40 – Getting over the fear of posting
 10:10 – Sharing her mental health journey
 15:10 – Using content to help other athletes
 18:40 – Creating content consistently
 22:15 – Brand partnerships and agencies
 27:40 – Turning what makes you different into an advantage
 30:00 – Create more than you consume
 33:00 – The growing opportunities in volleyball
 35:15 – NIL and life after sports
 39:45 – Final takeaways

About the Guest:

Bella Bergmark is a professional volleyball player and coach originally from San Francisco. She played her undergraduate volleyball at UC Berkeley before transferring to the University of Texas, where she won two national championships.

Since turning pro, Bella has competed across three professional seasons — in Puerto Rico, France, and most recently with LOVB Austin, where her team won the league championship last season.

Beyond competing, Bella runs volleyball clinics around the country each year and coaches athletes online through her program, the Bergmark Performance Academy, offering personalized film review and 1-on-1 coaching for players looking to take their game to the next level. She's also active on social media, sharing volleyball tips, strength and conditioning content, and volleyball humor with her audience. Off the court, she lives with her dog Freyja and her cat Mochi.

Connect with Bella:

LOVB Website: https://www.lovb.com/teams/lovb-austin-volleyball

Instagram:@bella.bergmark

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.

Bella Bergmark’s volleyball journey is proof that being overlooked early does not mean you are behind.

In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Bella to talk about the path that took her from being a developing recruit in the Bay Area to UC Berkeley, the University of Texas, two national championships, and eventually a professional volleyball career.

Bella opens up about changing positions during recruiting, dealing with performance anxiety, redshirting at Cal, navigating the disruption of COVID, and reaching a point where she knew she wanted more from her volleyball experience. She shares what pushed her to enter the transfer portal, how quickly Texas came calling, and what it was like stepping into a gym filled with All-Americans and competing for a role on a championship team. 

They also talk about the coaches who believed in Bella before she fully believed in herself, learning to trust the process, and how taking a chance on herself ultimately opened the door to a career she never imagined when she was a high school athlete.

Today, Bella has played professionally in Puerto Rico, France, and with LOVB Austin, where her team won the league championship last season.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, behind, or unsure where your recruiting journey is headed, Bella’s story is a powerful reminder that your first opportunity does not have to be your final destination.

Chapters

00:00 – From an overlooked recruit to Cal

04:20 – Bella’s recruiting journey and position change

07:35 – Arriving at Cal and fighting for playing time

12:25 – When volleyball stopped feeling fun

16:40 – Deciding to enter the transfer portal

20:05 – Why Bella took the chance on Texas

23:15 – The coach who believed in her

25:15 – Building belief and detaching from outcomes

28:15 – From college volleyball to playing professionally

About the Guest:

Bella Bergmark is a professional volleyball player and coach originally from San Francisco. She played her undergraduate volleyball at UC Berkeley before transferring to the University of Texas, where she won two national championships.

Since turning pro, Bella has competed across three professional seasons — in Puerto Rico, France, and most recently with LOVB Austin, where her team won the league championship last season.

Beyond competing, Bella runs volleyball clinics around the country each year and coaches athletes online through her program, the Bergmark Performance Academy, offering personalized film review and 1-on-1 coaching for players looking to take their game to the next level. She's also active on social media, sharing volleyball tips, strength and conditioning content, and volleyball humor with her audience. Off the court, she lives with her dog Freyja and her cat Mochi.

Connect with Bella:

LOVB Website: https://www.lovb.com/teams/lovb-austin-volleyball

Instagram:@bella.bergmark

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.