Freshman Prospects Make Varsity Roster - Part 1

<p>In the highly competitive world of high school volleyball, making the varsity team as a freshman is no small feat. It takes a unique combination of skill, determination, and a strong work ethic to stand out among older, more experienced players. In this article series, we start with four exceptional young athletes have done just that, earning their spots on the varsity roster and proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. We begin by taking a closer look at the journeys and ambitions of [player_tooltip player_id='513942' first='Jaylen' last='Maroney'], [player_tooltip player_id='571994' first='Devyn' last='Kobe'], [player_tooltip player_id='580738' first='Cassidy' last='Howard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='538286' first='Trinity' last='Wright'] as they embark on their high school volleyball careers.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/image_7ad934.png" alt="" class="wp-image-593739" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='513942' first='Jaylen' last='Maroney']: A Late Bloomer with Big Ambitions</h2>   <p class="text-gray-700"></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='513942' first='Jaylen' last='Maroney']'s journey in volleyball began later than most, but her rapid improvement and dedication to the sport have quickly made up for lost time. Initially a club soccer player from the age of seven, Jaylen decided at 11 that she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps and try volleyball. With her mother, a former Division 1 volleyball player, as her biggest inspiration, Jaylen seized every opportunity to develop her skills.</p>   <p>Balancing high school volleyball with club soccer has been a challenge, but Jaylen's commitment to recovery and time management has kept her on track. Her strengths lie in her ball control and defense, which she has honed as an undersized six-rotation outside hitter. Jaylen's energetic presence on the court, combined with her love for both hitting and making spectacular saves, makes her an invaluable asset to her team.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">“I want to prove that I should be on the court despite being a freshman,” Jaylen says, highlighting her determination to earn her place on the team. She also expresses gratitude to the seniors on her team for welcoming her into the Edison VB family, making her transition to high school volleyball smoother.</p>   <p>In her own words: "I would like to give a shoutout to my Seniors  Audrey Carevich , Allie Bravata,  Mason Mangus, Kylie Grundman, and Grace Fitzpatrick for welcoming me with open arms and accepting me into the Edison VB family. They have truly made the transition to high School  a great one and I can't wait for the rest of the season with them." </p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig<br><br></li> </ul>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='571994' first='Devyn' last='Kobe']: A Six-Year Journey to Varsity Success</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">For [player_tooltip player_id='571994' first='Devyn' last='Kobe'], volleyball has been a central part of her life for the past six years. Encouraged by her mother, who also played in high school and college, Devyn quickly fell in love with the sport and has been driven to succeed ever since. The jump from middle school to high school volleyball has been a significant adjustment, particularly with the increased practice schedule, but Devyn is eager to see the progress she and her team will make.</p>   <p>Devyn's powerful attacking and blocking abilities, combined with her supportive and coachable attitude, were key factors in earning her a spot on the varsity team. Weight training has also played a crucial role in helping her become a more explosive player, further enhancing her vertical jump.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Devyn is focused on staying organized and on top of her schoolwork to ensure she maintains the grades necessary to continue playing sports. Her primary goal for the season is to win the league, a challenging but achievable target with the talent and determination she brings to the team.</p>   <p>In her own words, " I want to give a shoutout to all my upperclassmen high school teammates who I also have on my club team. I have known most of the girls for a few years now so it was nice to know people going into a new school! They have all willingly given me advice not only about volleyball but about high school in general. They have all made me feel so welcome!"</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig<br><br></li> </ul>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='580738' first='Cassidy' last='Howard']: Learning from Experience</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='580738' first='Cassidy' last='Howard']'s introduction to volleyball came from watching her older sisters play. Tagging along to their games and practices sparked her love for the sport, and she was eager to join a team of her own as soon as she was old enough. Now, as a freshman on the varsity team, Cassidy is excited about the opportunity to learn from older, more experienced players.</p>   <p>Believing in herself and what she could contribute to the team was a key factor in Cassidy's success. She is determined to absorb as much knowledge as possible from her upperclassmen teammates, asking questions and staying focused on her goals.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">For Cassidy, time management is crucial in balancing her academic and athletic responsibilities. She knows that school must remain her top priority, but she is equally committed to showing that freshmen can make a significant impact on a varsity team. Her positive attitude and willingness to learn have already made her a valuable team member.</p>   <p>In her own words, "I feel every girl on my team have been so welcoming and made me feel as part of the team since day one. I would give a shout out to my whole team @bonitabearcatsvolleyball. They've all been such a great example of how I want to be when upcoming freshman join us in future seasons."</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</li> </ul>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='538286' first='Trinity' last='Wright']: Determination Drives Success</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/IMG_4493-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-592311" style="width:387px;height:auto" /></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='538286' first='Trinity' last='Wright']'s volleyball journey began at just eight years old when her parents encouraged her to try a sport outside of dance. A third-place medal at her first beach clinic ignited her passion for volleyball, and she has been dedicated to the sport ever since. Now, as she transitions from middle school to high school, Trinity 's determination and love for the game have earned her a spot on the varsity team.</p>   <p>Adjusting to the faster pace of high school volleyball is a challenge Trinity is ready to tackle head-on. Her positive attitude, coupled with the support from her new teammates, has made the transition smoother. Trinity's constant smile on the court is something her coaches appreciate, and it reflects her excitement to play hard, build with her teammates, and have fun.</p>   <p>Trinity's goals for high school volleyball are ambitious. She is determined to balance her academic and athletic responsibilities while striving for a CIF championship with her team. The camaraderie and support she has received from her teammates, particularly her “big sisters” on the team, have made her feel welcome and ready to achieve great things.</p>   <p>In her own words, "I want to give a special shoutout to my Colony Varsity teammates. They were all super excited to have me on their team and very helpful with getting me used to the high school life. Especially Shaylen Mcfoy and Natalie Banuleos. They both have officially made me their “little freshman” and have made me feel welcomed. They introduced me to all of the girls, and include me in conversations. I love how they were so open to having me on the team. I would also like to thank my coaches Eddie Perez and Ian Nelson. I've had so much fun at the practices we've had so far, and we've made so much progress these past couple of weeks. I'm excited to start playing league games! This will give me a lot of practice and expand my volleyball IQ for my upcoming 15's club season, as I have also made the 15 ONE's team with Forza 1 North."</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stayed tune for more Freshman Prospects Making their Varsity Rosters. </h2>   <p>If you loved this article, make sure to follow our Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCA</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</p>   <p>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.</p>   <p>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>.</p>   <p>Let's keep growing this positive player platform and create unforgettable memories and experiences together with your support.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Thank you for creating the journey!</em></strong></h2>

In the highly competitive world of high school volleyball, making the varsity team as a freshman is no small feat. It takes a unique combination of skill, determination, and a strong work ethic to stand out among older, more experienced players. In this article series, we start with four exceptional young athletes have done just that, earning their spots on the varsity roster and proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. We begin by taking a closer look at the journeys and ambitions of Jaylen Maroney Jaylen Maroney 5'11" | OH Edison | 2028 CA , Devyn Kobe Devyn Kobe 6'1" | OH/RS West Ranch | 2028 CA , Cassidy Howard, and Trinity Wright Trinity Wright 6'0" | MB Etiwanda | 2028 CA as they embark on their high school volleyball careers.