What D1 Coaches Notice That Most Parents Don't | Ari Homayun, UC Davis (Part 2)
Description
This is the part of the conversation Ari rarely gets asked about publicly — and it's the part parents most need to hear.
In Part 1, Ari shared her journey from 18-year-old freshman fighting for a spot at Hawaii to the head coach building UC Davis into a powerhouse. In Part 2, she opens up about what actually happens behind the curtain of D1 recruiting.
What gets a player on her radar — and what gets one quietly removed. The parent behaviors that make her hesitate (and the ones she actively looks for). What she sees in freshmen that breaks her heart, and the tools she uses to bring them back to themselves. Why so many talented kids stall out the moment they arrive on campus, and how families can prevent it before it happens.
She also shares the most honest advice you'll hear about athletes who aren't top recruits — but who are just as deserving of their D1 dream.
This is the conversation that, if you'd had it before your daughter started this journey, would have changed how you approached every step.
In this episode (Part 2 — Standalone Video):
🔓 The "big sister" coaching philosophy — and why it works 🔓 How Ari evaluates the complete recruit: highlight reel → full game → live → visit 🔓 The recruiting red flags that get parents and players removed from her list 🔓 Why "letting your kid drive their recruiting" is the hardest pill for parents to swallow — and the most important 🔓 How to teach vision: the end-of-step-close technique D1 coaches actually want to see 🔓 The "right decision vs. right execution" framework that builds volleyball IQ fast 🔓 The biggest issues freshmen face — and how Ari brings them back to themselves 🔓 How to separate your daughter's self-worth from her results 🔓 Ari's honest advice for athletes who aren't top recruits but have their hearts set on D1 🔓 What she'd tell every club coach about evolving with the modern game
🎓 The D1 Game Plan This conversation gives you the what. The D1 Game Plan gives you the how — built specifically for your daughter, her ceiling, her timeline, and her dream schools. 👉 Book your strategy session: salavavolleyball.com/gameplan
📦 Want every conversation? This video is also part of the D1 Beach Recruiting Coach Conversations Bundle — every uncut, full-length conversation with the head coaches building today's top D1 beach programs. One-time purchase. Lifetime access. 👉 Get the bundle: [link]
🎙️ Hosted by Tomas Salava — former pro beach volleyball player and champion, on a mission to give beach volleyball families the same level of clarity and access that football and basketball families have had for decades.
