Red Rock Rave: Beyond the Court

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Red Rock is in full swing. This tournament emerges as a pivotal moment in the club volleyball scene, setting a crucial standard for both teams and players. At this stage, teams have become acquainted with their opponents and assessed their strengths and weaknesses. With players finding their rhythm on the court and line-ups solidified, it may seem like each team's destiny is predetermined. Yet, amidst the coach's strategic maneuvers and subtle lineup adjustments, the athlete emerges as the unpredictable element, capable of reshaping the game's trajectory with a single play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acknowledging the crucial role of athletes' mental, physical, and emotional well-being in volleyball, I've had the honor of linking up with four promising prospects as they play in the desert this weekend. Together, they offer insights into their season's journey, aspirations, and the sheer excitement of what lies ahead in their volleyball journeys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486486"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eI'm very excited to compete in the 14 OPEN Division at the Red Rock Rave National Qualifier.  It'll be the first of three qualifiers (Red Rock Rave, Salt Lake City Showdown, and Far Western in Reno) our team, [program_tooltip program_id='510736' first='Sports' last='Academy'] Jen-14U, will have this season and the first time we'll travel out of state as a team.   u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis season has been full of firsts as I started at a new club ([program_tooltip program_id='510736' first='Sports' last='Academy']) with great coaches, elite training facilities, sports performance/recovery, and joined several new teammates (who are some of the best players in our area!!).  I'm also enjoying the challenge of playing OH as well as Middle for the first time.  As our team gets to know each other, I'm really excited to see if we can meet our potential and earn a bid to Nationals as we've stayed in the top 10 in SoCal and continue to improve.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGiven my love for volleyball, I've truly enjoyed the competitive culture and family environment at [program_tooltip program_id='510736' first='Sports' last='Academy'] and know that I'm getting well-prepared to not only compete on the Red Rock Rave stage but also play at a high level in High School, College, and beyond…u003c/spanu003eMichelle Bamford @ PrepDig","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["496500"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eI am so happy to share my journey so far. My team is thriving with each game bringing victories and lessons to learn. My goal is to become better and strengthen my skills. Our goal as a team is to excel on the court, make it to nationals, and bond together. Looking forward I am excited for what comes ahead, every match and every team I play with. Every match is a new chance to shine and prove ourselves.u003c/spanu003eMichelle Bamford @ PrepDig","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='524489' first='Mattea' last='Pisani']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Harvard Westlake","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"LAVA - Shack 15 Molten","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis club season has been a great experience because of the lasting friendships I have made and I have really enjoyed playing with athletes who share my same passion and competitiveness for the sport. Our goal as a team is to compete at the highest level possible. We hope that our hard work and commitment will earn us a bid to Nationals. For myself, I would like to continue to grow and develop my footwork and eye work on defense. In my free time, I enjoy watching film on Zoe Fleck, Lexi Rodriguez, and Emma Halter as well as many other high-level liberos, and learning new things I can apply to my gameplay. I recently began incorporating the split step into my serve receive and I am already seeing major improvement performance-wise. I plan to keep implementing new techniques so that I am able to continue growing as a volleyball player every chance I get. While I have been leading the back row in my position as libero, this season I have also had the privilege of being elected captain by my teammates. I have really enjoyed stepping into this leadership role and pushing myself to be the best I can be for my team.u003c/spanu003eMichelle Bamford @ PrepDig","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["507778"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eC/O 2028u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eLong Beach Volleyball Clubu003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e14 Geraldu003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eI've been lucky enough to play with my team for five years, and last club volleyball season we won the SCVA 13 Elite Division. Our main goal, we set as a team, was holding ourselves and teammates accountable so we could perform at our highest level. My favorite moment was in the Elite division championship match when we were tied 1 set to 1, losing the third set and just coming out of a long protested call. We focused back up, relied on and trusted each other to do our jobs as players. We ended up winning 15-13 because of our ability to overcome obstacles, work hard and be relentless. For me, winning that match meant so much because our hard work and effort were beginning to pay off. Being able to share that win with my teammates was an unforgettable experience. I'm excited for our upcoming travel to the SLC Showcase and Junior Nationals at the end of the season, but right now, I'm mostly excited to compete for gold in the 14 Liberty Division at the Red Rock Rave. We went 3-0 on day one and 3-0 on day two, can't wait to battle on the court this final day. I'm also eager to begin high school to display my capabilities to college coaches. Once again, thank you so much for the opportunity and allowing me to share some of my club volleyball experience.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ff561873135"} /-->