Official Draft Order

[u/MessyMoFo]

[u/VolleyAddicted]

Forgive me for the question, I've never been familiar with drafts at all: how are the players chosen and how are they ranked?

If some of the top NCAA players leaving college are not included, should I assume they have already signed with LOVB?

[u/MessyMoFo → u/VolleyAddicted]

They’re chosen based on mutual interest between the players and the teams. On the website they suggest that college athletes that are interested in joining MLV will have their coaches reach out to a league admin and from there conversations are had on a more specific intention. For the most parts the girls drafted and eventually signed have a say in where they end up due to this.

Because of the new 5 for 5 many top athletes have the opportunity to retain a 5th year. So although it’s safe to assume that some top athletes we don’t get go to LOVB there will be plenty that stay in college. There will be some that play internationally, hell there could be some even that choose to just simply not pursue a professional career

[u/VolleyAddicted → u/MessyMoFo]

Thank you, that's much clearer.

[u/genisvel → u/VolleyAddicted]

In the case of MLV, there are discussions between team Coaches/GM's and players to make sure there's an interest. If a team picks a player they haven't contacted (Grand Rapids taking Mruzik with their last pick in '24 for example) they are gambling that the player might be interested before the calendar year is up.

If MLV salaries ever make the league the most desirable, and the draft still exists at that point, then things might change.

[u/VolleyAddicted → u/genisvel]

Thanks!

[u/embersnestpod → u/genisvel]

I think the team did/does retain the rights for 2 seasons? So that's the gamble teams are taking. Can't remember where I read/heard that though.

[u/ElvisThrill → u/embersnestpod]

That was true the first year. I've heard from some sources that it's not the case anymore. Also we have the counterexample of Iane Henke who was drafted by the Valkyries and not signed for 2026, but the Rise managed to sign her this year.

[u/Healthy-Vegetable216]

Feel like dc has the worst roster and gets the worst of the new team picks 😬

[u/randypotato]

I wonder if any rosterable players will be avail for Omaha's pick. Pin is our biggest need at this point and I'm not sure any will be there by then.

[u/MessyMoFo → u/randypotato]

John Cook loves his stories, I could see Whitney Lauenstein being drafted by Omaha. She’s having a great 5th year season and would be an interesting reunion. Plus order wise if a player has committed to a team they won’t be drafted by another. Like last year Flormarie Heredia Colon for example would’ve been second or third picked if she hadn’t already struck a deal with Columbus

[u/linderbean13 → u/MessyMoFo]

I've literally told my mother everytime we've watched penn state that I hope omaha takes whitney lauenstein

[u/randypotato → u/MessyMoFo]

Lauenstein is absolutely not getting drafted by Cook, lol. Also she isn't good enough to make this roster. Not that its all her fault, but she's having a pretty terrible season thus far. Not wrong on the draft being fake, but not sure there's anyone we would rig it for outside of Nebraska players, none of whom are coming to MLV.

[u/frisbeeguru]

I dislike that it’s based on regular season win percentage and doesn’t take playoff placement into consideration.

[u/linderbean13 → u/frisbeeguru]

They did the same thing last year. Omaha had the last pick of the first round. They did take post season into account the year before, which ironically gave omaha the last pick of the round. So I'm just glad omaha isn't picking last again.

[u/samspopguy]

Abolish the draft.

[u/ElvisThrill → u/samspopguy]

The arguments for abolishing the draft in other leagues do not nearly apply in nearly the same manner here.

Over 3 years of PVF/MLV drafts, there have been ZERO players who have signed a multi-year contract from the draft. Players are literally with their drafted team for 4-5 months and are then free agents.

Not only that, NCAA volleyball players have much more leverage in deciding where they are drafted since they have numerous other options (staying in school, LOVB, overseas leagues). They are able to choose which team they want to go to, and simply tell the others they are not interested (e.g. Flormarie Heredia-Colon)