MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - For most high school athletes, the final buzzer at the end of senior year means the end of their playing career. But for others, that final buzzer is only the beginning.

“Both Daria and Rachel, who are committed to division 1 programs, started playing at a pretty high level club wise their freshman year," said Okemos Volleyball Coach Jamie Ianni.

Daria Richards and Rachel Thomas, two Okemos volleyball juniors, are only the latest student athletes in the township to commit to play at the collegiate level. With Richards committing to Baylor University and Thomas committing to Tennessee Tech. Just last fall, three haslett girls basketball seniors signed to play at Hillsdale College and Northwood University. WIth recruiting becoming more and more competitive, the process is starting earlier and earlier.

“Start as early as 7th and 8th grade years, depending on what club you’re playing for, the exposure that you're getting," said Ianni.

However, that isn't the same for all sports.

“It starts their freshman year or sophomore year," said Okemos Football Coach Jack Wallace.

For sports like football, colleges deal primarily with the high school coaches for recruiting. But in many other sports such as volleyball, many colleges are turning to travel and club programs.

“Very little recruitment happens during the high school season anymore," said Ianni. "I think the college coaches have limited amount of contact time where they can go watch kids play so its much more convenient for them to watch 150 team club tournament and see a lot of players versus a 2 team dual in a high school.”

With club sports changing the way colleges and student athletes interact, so does the internet.

“It's a little easier now with technology," said Ianni. "To put a Youtube link up and say 'hey, here I am playing.'"

“That makes it a lot easier now to getting college coaches film," said Wallace. "That’s really important, getting a good film is really important for a high school athlete to show them what they can do.”