NorCal Recruits to Watch at the Pre-Tourney Showcase

Another action-packed weekend at the Salt Lake City Showdown Qualifier is ahead. With bids to the USA Volleyball Girls National Championship in Dallas on the line, elite 13s, 14s, and 15s teams from across the country are making their way to Utah, bringing fierce competition with them. Emerging talent, including a strong contingent from Northern California, is ready to make its presence known.   PrepDig is partnering with USA Volleyball to host an exclusive Pre-Tourney Showcase on April 10. These high-energy sessions give younger athletes a unique platform to showcase their skills in front of more than 150 college programs. While recruiting contact may still be a ways off, this is a key opportunity for players to get on the radar early.   In this article, I've connected with six young recruits who are already making noise ahead of the event. From athleticism to leadership potential, these athletes are ready to take full advantage of the spotlight.    [player_tooltip player_id='516224' first='Ashlyn' last='Malone'], a 5'10” outside hitter from RAGE 15-Carmelo and a varsity athlete at Ripon High School (Class of 2028), is ready to make her presence known at the Salt Lake City Showcase. With a strong mix of hustle, versatility, and team-first energy, Ashlyn is excited to showcase her all-around game, both at the net and in the back row.   Known for her smart shot selection, scrappy defense, and relentless encouragement, Ashlyn prides herself on being one of the loudest, most supportive teammates on the court. Her ability to stay engaged, adapt to coaching, and uplift those around her is part of what makes her a standout player and a culture-setter.   Ashlyn's goal for this tournament is clear, qualify for Nationals and compete among the best for the second year in a row. She's been preparing with purpose, focusing on nutrition, recovery, and additional training sessions. From healthy meals and extra gym hours to stretching and cold plunges, she's committed to giving 110% over the course of the three-day event.   Coaches watching Ashlyn will see a player who leads with effort and heart. Her consistency, grit, and coachability, combined with her ability to elevate those around her, make her a name to remember in the Class of 2028. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Alessandra Sioco, a libero/defensive specialist for [program_tooltip program_id='494424' first='Vision' last='Volleyball Club'] 15-1 Gold and Foothill High School (Class of 2028), is set to showcase her poised, high-IQ backcourt play at the Salt Lake City Showcase. She's particularly excited to highlight her resilient defense and calm, consistent serve receive, areas she's been refining through focused reps and disciplined training. Her ability to create early angles and pursue tough balls has taken a big step forward, and she's ready to show it on a bigger stage.   Alessandra's goals for the tournament include keeping her team in-system with quality first contacts, having fast footwork, and maintaining a steady platform in serve receive. With a “just go” mentality, she's determined to extend plays and give her team opportunities to score, especially in critical moments as they push toward securing a bid.   To prepare mentally and physically, Alessandra turns to sports psychology podcasts and reviews in-game feedback from her coaches to sharpen her focus. Scouting opponents also plays a key role in her game-day readiness, helping her anticipate tendencies and make smart reads on the court.   During matches, Alessandra stands out for her scrappy defensive effort, quick reactions, and consistent “next point” mindset. Her ability to read hitters, stay locked in regardless of the score, and bring a positive attitude to every play makes her an impactful presence and a valuable piece of any team she's on. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='747342' first='Reese' last='Booth'], a Class of 2029 athlete from [program_tooltip program_id='545945' first='Rage' last='Volleyball Club'] Toa, is a dynamic setter and opposite hitter who also competes on the beach. Though this is her first year setting, Reese has already shown tremendous growth and maturity in the position. She's especially excited to showcase her quick decision-making and court vision, key tools that allow her to read opposing defenses and make smart choices that elevate her offense.   Reese's goals for the Salt Lake City Showcase revolve around leadership and communication. She aims to lead by example, bring consistent energy to her team, and stay vocal throughout every match. Her focus is on running a balanced offense, distributing sets to all hitters, and keeping defenses guessing while building confidence in her teammates.   Leading up to the event, Reese has been putting in extra reps and setting clear goals for in-game scenarios she wants to execute with her team. Her preparation is both physical and mental, as she continues to develop the awareness and calm mindset that help her thrive under pressure.   Coaches will notice Reese's poise and ability to stay composed in any situation. Her court reading, anticipation, and thoughtful playmaking make her a promising young talent with a bright future in the game. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='766592' first='Ilayda' last='Caglar'], a 5'9” outside hitter from [program_tooltip program_id='494424' first='Vision' last='Volleyball Club'] II 15-2 and a member of the Class of 2028, is ready to bring a complete, high-energy game to the Salt Lake City Showcase. Known for her determination and hustle, Ilayda is especially excited to highlight her ability to score in both system and out-of-system situations, an area she's been working on diligently with the help of her coaches and teammates. That extra effort has paid off, and she feels more confident than ever in her shot variety and execution.   Heading into the tournament, Ilayda's goals center around being a dependable teammate in high-risk, high-reward moments and maintaining a “go after it” mindset. She believes in controlling what she can—her effort, energy, and support—and prides herself on being a consistently uplifting presence both on and off the court.   To prepare, Ilayda has increased the frequency and intensity of her practices, added training sessions at home, and focused intentionally on nutrition and mindset. Her pre-tournament routine includes fueling her body with whole foods, limiting sugar, and emphasizing protein and carbs. Mentally, she reinforces self-belief through daily affirmations like “I believe in myself,” which help her stay grounded and confident during high-pressure moments.   Ilayda stands out through her diverse skill set, mental toughness, and relentless work ethic. Whether it's mixing up her shots, contributing defensively, attacking from the back row, or serving as a scoring threat from the end line, she's a player who impacts the game in every rotation. Her positive attitude and refusal to give up on a point make her a force to watch in the Class of 2028. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='697336' first='Johanna' last='Lawler'], a 6'2” middle blocker from Rage 14U Toa and a member of the Class of 2029, is an emerging talent with size, versatility, and a developing offensive toolkit. Heading into the Salt Lake City Showcase, Johanna is focused on continuing to expand her role, most recently working with her setter to incorporate a slide into their offensive system.   One of her main goals is to be more vocal and take on a leadership presence during matches. She understands the impact of communication and is striving to be a steady and reliable force her teammates can count on.   In preparation for this event, Johanna has added two extra hours of training each week and has been intentional about staying hydrated to maintain peak performance throughout the tournament.   What sets Johanna apart is her combination of height, game IQ, and unique versatility. In addition to her front-row dominance, she contributes from the service line and delivers strong passing from the back row, traits not often seen in players at her position and age. College coaches will recognize Johanna as a high-upside middle with a multi-dimensional skill set and a strong foundation for growth. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='721600' first='Sophia' last='Merkel'], a 5'4” libero/defensive specialist for RVC 15's Carmelo and Liberty High School's JV team (Class of 2028), brings energy, grit, and passion to every play. Competing for [program_tooltip program_id='545945' first='Rage' last='Volleyball Club'], Sophia is eager to showcase her serve receive and defensive consistency, two areas she takes great pride in and continues to refine with focused effort and extra reps in the gym.   Her goals for the Salt Lake City Showcase go beyond stat lines. Sophia aims to be a reliable leader on the court, support her team in every moment, and approach each game with the belief that every ball is playable. She's dedicated time to reviewing film, identifying areas for growth, and putting in additional work on her off days to close those gaps.   What makes Sophia stand out is her relentless energy, from warmups to gameplay to the sidelines. She enters each point fully committed to giving maximum effort, bringing constant hustle and vocal encouragement to her team. Her love for the game is evident in how she plays, and coaches will quickly recognize her as an athlete who competes with heart, focus, and a deep passion for volleyball. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247      <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>

Another action-packed weekend at the Salt Lake City Showdown Qualifier is ahead. With bids to the USA Volleyball Girls National Championship in Dallas on the line, elite 13s, 14s, and 15s teams from across the country are making their way to Utah, bringing fierce competition with them. Emerging talent, including a strong contingent from Northern California, is ready to make its presence known.