1% Better: Prospects Preparing for the Next Level

PrepDig was invited to Uchenna Ofoha's exclusive elite practice, a highly coveted invite-only session that brings together some of Southern California's top volleyball prospects.    <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/image_4c770f.png" alt="" class="wp-image-613083" style="width:161px;height:auto" /></figure>   The session was a masterclass in positional work, live hitting, passing drills, and game-like scenarios, offering players an immersive and comprehensive training experience. Coach Uche's brilliant insights and techniques showcased his deep understanding of the game, providing invaluable knowledge and skills to the participants.   The path to collegiate volleyball is a rigorous journey marked by dedication, continuous improvement, and strategic planning. For these six standout athletes, this journey is driven by a relentless commitment to their development, effective networking, and a clear vision of their future goals. From their daily routines and training regimens to their efforts in connecting with coaches and navigating the recruitment process, these players offer a window into the determination and hard work required to excel in the competitive world of volleyball.   In this article, we spotlight these aspiring players and their journey, highlighting their dedication and sharing their insights into what it takes to make a mark in the highly competitive realm of volleyball recruitment.    [player_tooltip player_id='508881' first='Audrianna' last='Granatelli'] is a committed and driven volleyball player who focuses on daily improvement to prepare for success beyond high school and club volleyball. She believes in setting small, achievable goals and celebrating those incremental victories, embodying the philosophy of 1% improvement each day. Whether she's putting in extra reps, studying game film, or enhancing her mental game, Audrianna is always finding ways to get better. Her commitment extends to academics, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA, reflecting her discipline and ability to balance the demands of being a student-athlete.   The recruitment process is an exciting journey for Audrianna as she researches colleges and their volleyball programs to find the best fit for her future. She actively participates in college camps to experience different campus environments, coaching styles, and team dynamics, helping her make informed decisions about where she can thrive both academically and athletically.   Audrianna's dedication on and off the court makes her résumé stand out. With a solid foundation from playing club volleyball since age 11, she values the journey, the passion, and the lessons learned just as much as the stats and wins. Feedback from coaches and overcoming setbacks have fueled her determination to pursue collegiate volleyball, and she approaches every challenge with resilience and a positive attitude.   Building meaningful connections is key for Audrianna. She values relationships with coaches, teammates, and the broader volleyball community, understanding the importance of networking in her journey. Her genuine love for the game and willingness to go the extra mile set her apart. She sees herself as a player who brings positivity and leadership to any team, aiming to leave a lasting impact both on and off the court.   When showcasing her skills beyond games and tournaments, Audrianna focuses on being authentic and confident. She highlights her journey and passion for volleyball through platforms like Hudl, where she shares game footage and progress, and Instagram, where she offers insights into her personality, work ethic, and love for the sport. By maintaining an active presence, Audrianna ensures that recruiters see not just her skills but the full picture of who she is as both a player and a person. - Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig     [player_tooltip player_id='474505' first='Raneighla' last='Gonzalez'] is a driven and dedicated volleyball player who emphasizes prayer, nutrition, recovery, and mental health as key elements to her success beyond high school and club volleyball. With the strong support of her coaches and family, Raneighla finds the energy and focus needed to excel in the classroom, on the court, and in life. This solid foundation allows her to recharge and perform at her best, embodying the balance of physical and mental preparation.   Raneighla is committed to understanding what coaches value in players and what makes an athlete stand out. She actively reaches out to current players to learn about their programs, although getting responses can be challenging. Her approach to the game is characterized by anticipation, whether it's for a kill, block, or second touch. Raneighla prides herself on being coachable, welcoming corrections to improve her performance, and values learning from her mistakes. Inspired by the ambition of players like Zoey Fleck, she admires the small and mighty approach and applies it to her own journey.   As Raneighla explores her college options, she is researching programs where she can grow and thrive. Engaging with current commits and speaking with players already on the teams she's interested in is a crucial part of her process. She takes initiative by introducing herself to coaches at college-level matches and games, using these opportunities to showcase her work ethic and personality. Raneighla believes in supporting her teammates and competitors, recognizing the importance of community in the sport.   What sets Raneighla apart are her ability to stay composed on the court, her focus on opponents, and her encouragement of teammates. Her combination of volleyball IQ and agility makes her a formidable player. She envisions herself as part of a D1 program where she can make an impact both on the court and off, representing her faith and giving glory to God.   Raneighla is proactive in getting noticed by being vocal about her volleyball knowledge, drive, and faith. She makes a point to introduce herself to recruiters, seeking feedback on her performance and understanding what they want to see from her in the future. Her commitment to continual improvement and her passion for the game make her a standout player ready to contribute to any team. - Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig     [player_tooltip player_id='538558' first='Ashlynn' last='Sells'] is committed to excelling in volleyball beyond high school and club levels through a rigorous daily workout routine and pushing herself in high school practices. By setting and achieving specific goals at the end of each workout, she consistently strives for that 1% improvement every day.   Her dedication and hard work set Ashlynn apart. She effectively balances her schoolwork and volleyball commitments, driven by a deep love for the game and inspired by role models who have taught her the value of hard work in achieving success.   Ashlynn has begun her recruitment process by researching schools that align with her interests, guided by the support of her club coaches and family. While finding the perfect fit for her future has been a challenge, she remains focused on what will best serve her long-term goals.   To further her volleyball career, Ashlynn actively builds connections within the volleyball community. She reaches out to coaches and players to seek advice and strengthen relationships that will enhance her volleyball experience. Her commitment to hard work, paired with her positive energy and passion for the game, makes her a standout player.   Ashlynn showcases her skills and ambition by attending college camps and reaching out to college coaches at schools that interest her. These efforts have helped her gain recognition from recruiters, putting her on a path to achieving her volleyball aspirations. Her dedication, both on and off the court, demonstrates her readiness to take her game to the next level. - Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig     [player_tooltip player_id='506785' first='Emme' last='Dingilian'] began playing competitive volleyball at the age of 11 with Supernova Volleyball and has consistently achieved success at every level. Her journey started as the starting setter during her 12U season, showcasing her ability to manage and direct the team's offense early on. By her 13U season, Emme's leadership qualities were recognized as she was named team captain and awarded the club's "Captain of the Year" accolade.   Emme's adaptability became evident when she transitioned to the role of starting libero during her 14U season, where she was again selected as a team captain and earned the "Passer of the Year" award. Her defensive talents continued to shine in her 15U season, where she excelled as the starting libero for both her club and varsity team at Heritage Christian. Her impressive performance, highlighted by a season-high of 162 digs, earned her First Team All-Olympic League honors and the title of team MVP.   In her sophomore year, Emme took on the challenge of playing as an all-around outside hitter for her high school team. Despite being undersized at 5'6", she ranked second on the team in kills, demonstrating her ability to contribute offensively. Her efforts were recognized with a Second Team All-Olympic League selection. Emme's club experience also continued to evolve; she was moved up to the 17U team under the coaching of Morgan Wijay and played primarily as a libero, while her versatility allowed her to contribute as a defensive specialist in the front row when needed. This adaptability and her consistent leadership led to her being named Supernova's "Player of the Year."   Now in her junior year, Emme has embraced the challenge of learning a new skill by taking on the role of setter, proving her commitment to doing whatever it takes to support her team. Her competitive nature, influenced by a family background rich in athletics—including a brother who played D1 collegiate baseball—fuels her ambition to play at the next level.   As a student-athlete, Emme balances her academic and athletic commitments with diligence. She maintains excellent grades and incorporates healthy nutrition, stretching, and therapy into her routine to manage the physical demands of her sport. To further develop her volleyball IQ, she analyzes film of herself and high-level collegiate teams, which has boosted her confidence and performance on the court.   Emme is proactive in her college recruitment process, reaching out to schools through emails and highlight reels, and has attended skills camps, such as one at Cal Poly SLO, to explore potential collegiate fits. Her close relationship with her club owner and coach, Morgan Wijay, has been instrumental in her development, providing insights from Wijay's experience as a former D1 athlete. Emme has also benefited from attending Zoe Fleck's skills camps and interacting with other club coaches at tournaments, broadening her understanding of the game.   Supported by her parents and close-knit relationships with her teammates, Emme continues to grow both on and off the court. Her ability to seamlessly step into any role required by her team sets her apart, making her a valuable asset to any collegiate volleyball program. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chloe Cook</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/image_a4fa1c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-613076" style="width:230px;height:auto" /></figure>   Chloe Cook is a dedicated sophomore whose goal is to improve by one percent every day, a commitment she upholds by regularly hitting the gym to build strength, focusing on form exercises to maintain proper technique, and taking ice baths to aid in recovery. Additionally, she attends Coach Uchenna's invited Sunday practices to stay active over the weekend.   Chloe is competing at a high level with older and more experienced players, which she believes makes her resume stand out. Her love for the game drives her ambition to play volleyball in college, with Arizona State University (ASU) on her dream list.   Chloe takes a proactive approach to her volleyball journey by showcasing her skills at events like the Uchenna camp and a recruiting camp in Las Vegas. Chloe's passion and dedication to her development as a player set her on a promising path toward achieving her collegiate volleyball aspirations. - Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vanessa Morgan</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/image_858f8a.png" alt="" class="wp-image-613077" style="width:272px;height:auto" /></figure>   Vanessa Morgan is a dedicated volleyball player who views her involvement in team sports as preparation for life beyond the court. Through volleyball, she has gained valuable skills in conflict resolution, teamwork, and understanding her role within a larger group. Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, Vanessa is committed to developing her volleyball skills, strength, conditioning, and mental toughness. She studies film regularly and actively seeks feedback from a variety of coaches to refine her techniques.   Vanessa is exploring opportunities at Division II and Division III schools that offer both volleyball programs and nursing degrees, aligning her athletic aspirations with her professional goals. Acknowledging the challenges of the recruiting process, Vanessa understands the importance of being proactive, reaching out to coaches, attending camps, and advocating for herself to get noticed.   What distinguishes Vanessa is her emphasis on academics. She is committed to excelling in the classroom, recognizing the importance of being a student first in the student-athlete equation. Her passion for competition and her desire to push herself to be her best motivate her to play at the collegiate level.   Vanessa's approach to improvement includes engaging with different coaches, attending various camps, and participating in group and solo training. Her thirst for knowledge and commitment to learning sets her apart as a player who is always eager to enhance her game. Although she got a later start on the recruiting process, Vanessa is leveraging resources like PrepDig to build her interpersonal skills and become more comfortable with interviews and the recruiting landscape. - Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">To train with Coach Uche, send a message to: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_uch.e/?hl=en">@_uch.e</a> </h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/image_5ae9ca.png" alt="" class="wp-image-613081" style="width:145px;height:auto" /></figure>   If you loved this article, please follow our Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCA</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.   By subscribing to PrepDig, you're not just supporting coverage of your favorite events – you're also helping to shine a spotlight on talented prospects.   To see even more events and athletes featured, spread the word and encourage your friends to subscribe to <a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com</a>.   Let's keep growing this positive player platform and create unforgettable memories and experiences together with your support.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for creating the journey!</h2>

PrepDig was invited to Uchenna Ofoha's exclusive elite practice, a highly coveted invite-only session that brings together some of Southern California's top volleyball prospects.