I was in the same boat 5 years ago. My volleyball playing daughter had the credentials to play at the D1 level (All-State, All-Courant, All-Conference, POY, State Championship, State Tournament MVP) but wanted a complete college experience. In D1, doesn't matter the school or the sport, all your time is owned by the coach. To her, it wasn't worth it. She stepped one foot on the campus of Endicott College and the deal was done. Let me tell you, it was the most wonderful ride imaginable.
DIII taught her time management. There was time where she had to be 100% dedicated to VB and time where she had to be 100% dedicated to the classroom. It was the best of both worlds. She was able to put in hard work on both. Graduated in 5 years (losing 1 VB season to COVID) with a Master's degree. She was able to, and encouraged to, work her butt off in the class room and on the court. One wasn't sacrificed for the other.
As a parent, it was enjoyable too. Endicott plays in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The longest conference road trip is to Biddeford, ME. The school also routinely scheduled OOC games against some combination of Middlebury, Amherst, MIT, Tufts, Springfield, Babson, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Wellesley. We also travelled to Georgia and Los Angeles on special trips. She also played for Team USA in a DIII tour of Brazil. In 5 years, we went to every game she played including 3 NCAA appearances! I can't say enough good things about Endicott or DIII competition. Oh about the competition...it is surprisingly good. Why? Because all those schools I just mentioned recruit nationally! The MIT VB team is stacked with SoCal players talented enough to play at Stamford but lacking the required height of 6'6". (I kid) They choose MIT because it leaves them time to play the sport they love while getting a half decent education. Scan the rosters of those schools and you'll rarely see another New England player.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, she walked of the court and into a career based upon a relationship that started during her HS recruitment and continued through college. It's a very small community, everybody knows everybody.
In a nutshell, I feel DIII sports is the epitome of what collegiate sports is supposed to be. My wife and I are thrilled she got a chance to experience it. It was a beautiful ride!