The PNQ Mindset: How Prospects Are Preparing for the Challenge

The USAV Pacific Northwestern Qualifier is a prestigious event that serves as a pivotal opportunity for volleyball players to showcase their skills and secure a coveted spot at the USA Volleyball National Championships in Texas. As one of the premier qualifiers in the West, this event brings together top athletes from across the region, all vying for a chance to prove themselves on a grand stage. The intensity and competitive spirit are palpable, making it a defining moment in the journey of many young athletes.   To gain a deeper insight into what this event truly means to the players, I connected with several prospects to learn about their goals, mindsets, and what they hope to prove when they step onto the court. Their stories provide a unique glimpse into the dedication, passion, and determination driving these athletes as they pursue their volleyball dreams.   College coaches, here's a closer look at the personal aspirations and mentalities of these rising stars as they prepare for the Pacific Northwestern Qualifier.    [player_tooltip player_id='472132' first='Jianna' last='Green'], a 5'11" outside hitter and captain for Actyve 16-Navy, is excited to showcase her hitting percentage, blocking ability, and the chance to earn a bid in the competitive 16U open division at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier. She plans to bring her best performance by staying focused, bouncing back quickly after mistakes, and maintaining aggression at all times, both in the front and back row. Jianna's ability to stay locked in, regardless of the situation, is a key factor in her success on the court.   This season, Jianna has made significant strides. Transitioning from a middle hitter to a six-rotation outside hitter has allowed her to improve her footwork, passing, and back-row digging. She has worked hard on increasing her swing power, refining her roll shots, and tooling off the block. Additionally, Jianna has sharpened her volleyball IQ, becoming more strategic in reading blockers and making better shot decisions, especially when playing out-of-system. Her constant focus on improvement has made her a more versatile and well-rounded player.   Jianna's leadership and teamwork shine both on and off the court. On the court, she serves as a calming influence during tough moments, always stepping up to rally the team and help them finish strong. Off the court, she fosters a supportive environment, ensuring her teammates know they always have each other's backs. Her positive body language, engagement, and ability to encourage her team, regardless of the circumstances, make her a standout player who will capture the attention of college coaches. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='537526' first='Saylor' last='Halvorsen'], a 6'2” outside hitter and middle hitter for [program_tooltip program_id='510736' first='Sports' last='Academy'] 15 Premier, is excited to showcase her hitting at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier. She plans to bring her best performance by visualizing great plays, swinging for angles, hitting high off the hands, and demolishing the ball when there's no block up. This season, Saylor's game has evolved significantly, especially since this is her first year playing outside hitter. She's been working hard on swinging with more power, hitting from different angles, and improving her passing, a skill she finds the most challenging but works on constantly.   What will stand out to coaches is Saylor's leadership on the court. She constantly encourages her teammates to play their best and emphasizes that success comes from working together, not just individual achievements. When she scores a kill, she makes sure to give credit to the passer, setter, and her teammates for their contributions in making the play successful. Saylor's focus is on team effort, and her positive energy fuels the entire group's performance.   Off the court, Saylor enjoys spending time with friends, baking, and doing her nails. A fun tradition with her team is having a dance circle before games to bring the energy and get everyone hyped up. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Savannah, known as “Savvy,” is excited to showcase her serve receive at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier. Leading her team in serve receive passer rating with a standout 2.8 in one game this season, she has focused on widening her stance and refining her split step technique to continue improving. Additionally, Savvy has made a significant leap this season by playing beach volleyball for the first time, which has improved her ability to read the opposing team's offense and enhanced her indoor game, allowing her to anticipate plays and get into defensive positions faster.   To maintain peak performance, Savvy prioritizes eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest. She carries these habits into both local and travel tournaments, where she ensures she's prepared with meal prepping, grocery shopping, and recovery tools like ice packs and a massage gun. Her intensity, competitiveness, and leadership by example set her apart on and off the court. She is known for chasing down balls off the court and pushing her team during tough moments. Her ability to quickly analyze mistakes and adapt without letting them affect her mental game is a testament to her resilience.   Off the court, Savvy's leadership shines as she motivates and cheers up her teammates when they are down. She has spent nine years doing competitive dance before transitioning to volleyball, her first ball sport, and hasn't looked back. A fun team tradition is huddling after each game to give positive shout-outs, reinforcing a strong sense of camaraderie and support. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     At the Pacific Northwest Qualifier, [player_tooltip player_id='567523' first='Emily' last='Avila'] aims to showcase her high volleyball IQ, leadership, and strong connection with her teammates as a setter. She has worked hard to elevate her defense, court awareness, and overall game, aiming to turn these improvements into wins and positive team dynamics. Emily plans to bring her best performance and energy by staying focused and executing with precision on the court.   This season, Emily has experienced significant growth with her new team, focusing on building trust and strong connections. As a setter, she's become a more effective leader, emphasizing consistency, finding diverse ways to score, and working on deceptive setting. The skill she's most proud of developing this season, however, is defense, particularly reading tips and seams, and cultivating a “just go” mentality that gives her team valuable second-chance opportunities.   As a captain, Emily understands that leadership is not solely about skill but about fostering team morale and creating opportunities for others. She leads by being vocal, calling out plays, cheering for her teammates, and sharing scoring opportunities she sees on the court. Her positive attitude and high energy inspire and motivate the team, both on and off the court. A fun fact about Emily is that she adopted a St. Bernard puppy, Milo, outside a convention center during a league tournament. Now 120 pounds, Milo is a big fan of her neon green shoes! ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     <figure class="wp-block-gallery alignleft has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Green.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-761807" /></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Puppy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-761806" /></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Milo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-761808" /></figure> </figure>      <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, show your support by following <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCA</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coachable247/?hl=en">Coachable247</a>, for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes action, and a closer look at the volleyball community you love.</h3>   Together, we're building a positive platform to celebrate players, empower families, and connect with the volleyball community. Thank you to all of our subscribers for being an essential part of this journey. Let's keep growing the game and creating unforgettable memories.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.</h4>   Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Michelle Bamford @<a href="https://www.coachable247.com/">Coachable247</a>

The USAV Pacific Northwestern Qualifier is a prestigious event that serves as a pivotal opportunity for volleyball players to showcase their skills and secure a coveted spot at the USA Volleyball National Championships in Texas. As one of the premier qualifiers in the West, this event brings together top athletes from across the region, all vying for a chance to prove themselves on a grand stage. The intensity and competitive spirit are palpable, making it a defining moment in the journey of many young athletes.