Prospects to Watch @PrepDigCa: NorCal
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PrepDigCa’s Instagram shines a spotlight on our ‘Prospects to Watch,’ providing invaluable social exposure to athletes aspiring to play at the collegiate level. Our featured prospects attract attention and ‘likes’ from a diverse array of colleges, ranging from D1, D2,…
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Continue ReadingPrepDigCa’s Instagram shines a spotlight on our ‘Prospects to Watch,’ providing invaluable social exposure to athletes aspiring to play at the collegiate level. Our featured prospects attract attention and ‘likes’ from a diverse array of colleges, ranging from D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO. While highlight clips are informative, they can miss the essence of a player’s personality and character. At PrepDig, we take a proactive approach, encouraging our athletes to actively participate in their recruitment exposure within our articles.
When a player earns the title of ‘Prospect to Watch,’ we reach out, extending an invitation to share their unique voice and perspective. We firmly believe that this transcends mere highlights, offering colleges a deeper understanding of the athlete as a whole. This article also offers players, parents, and coaches a window into the character of our prospects. It’s with great pleasure that I present to you the voices of some of our standout Prospects to Watch.
My name is Ava Duran Ava Duran 5’10” | MB Vacaville Highschool | 2027 CA , class of 2027, 4.0 GPA, 5’10, with a 9’10 approach touch. I am currently playing on Club Solano 15 1’s. I love being on a team and making so many friends and amazing memories. My favorite part of volleyball is that it’s a team effort! My coaches have described me as a “coachable, six rotational player, aggressive, versatile (front and back row), team player, that plays with heart, with a ‘we over me’ attitude”. As my grandfather has told me, (quoted from Willie Keller), “You gotta hit ‘em where they ain’t”. And I’ll continue to strive to do just that! The following is my schedule for the remainder of the season.
May 11-12 Power League Regional Championships
Jul 8-11 Junior’s National Championship American Division (currently, our team is attempting higher placement!)
Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig
Highlights
My name is Aniyah Fayne Aniyah Fayne 5’8″ | OH PS7 Middle School | 2029 CA . I’m a 5’8 outside hitter for OMNI 13 National. I attend PS7 Middle School in Sacramento, CA class of 2029. Go Shepards!
I started playing volleyball 3 years ago and recently transitioned from middle blocker to outside hitter. It was a challenge at first but the change made me feel excited and motivated to continue improving my game.
Volleyball has always held a special place in my heart. The moment I step onto the court, a wave of happiness and freedom washes over me. The sound of the ball hitting the floor and the cheers of my teammates fuel my passion for the game. Playing volleyball is not just a hobby for me, it’s a source of comfort and joy. It’s where I feel most like myself and truly alive. The court is my happy place, where I can forget about the world and just focus on the game I love. I am grateful for the endless opportunities it provides for growth and personal development. Future Schedule: NorCal Invitational Roseville, CA June 8-9, 2024.
Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig
Highlights
My name is Lilian Bongiorno Lilian Bongiorno 5’11” | OH San Francisco University | 2027 CA and I am a 5’11 all-around PIN hitter on Marin Juniors 15 Black. I love learning and currently have a 4.0 GPA at San Francisco University High School, where I was selected to play at the Varsity level my freshman year! I’m in my third year of playing club volleyball, and this is my second season at Marin Juniors . Last year, my team won the Spokane Qualifier in the Liberty division. This year, we placed second and won a bid at Red Rock Rave in Las Vegas.
What sets me apart on the court is my vigor, mental toughness, ability to anticipate on defensive, and strategic decision-making when attacking. This season, I’m most proud of my improvement in mental toughness. When sets get tight, I swing away and on serve receive, I tell myself, “Bring it.” Another standout skill is my ability to see the court in front of me. I’ve trained hard to recognize where to put down a ball (whether it’s sharp cross or hard line). When tipping or rolling, I look for our opponent’s seams or avoiding their most confident passer on the court.
Overall, my love for the game is what keeps me going. I get up early on weekends to workout with my trainer or take part in a hitting clinic or private lesson. When there’s a specific part in my game that I feel needs to be developed, I put in the extra time to improve that skill. Every week, I’m consistently at practices and the pre-workouts, showing up with a positive and supportive attitude, and determination to give 100% every time. My passion for volleyball is what inspires growth in my game, whether it’s the drastic change in my vertical since last year, more power in my hits, or my mental game on and off the court.
Today, I am currently working on my block timing (connections with my team’s middle blockers), quick reactions in defense (reading the hitter’s arm swing) and continuing to find areas to hit or place the ball around the block. I still have a lot to learn but I’m ready for the challenge ahead. Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig