Salt Lake City Showcase Athletes You Need to Know

The Salt Lake City Showdown Qualifier is here. With a bid to the USA Volleyball Girls National Championship in Dallas on the line, top-tier teams from across the country have made their way to Utah, bringing with them fierce competition and undeniable talent.   Ahead of this action-packed, two-weekend event, PrepDig is partnering with USA Volleyball to host two exclusive Pre-Tourney Showcases on April 4 and April 10. These high-intensity sessions offer athletes a prime opportunity to showcase their skills in front of more than 150 college programs that are tuned in and actively recruiting. Whether it's a rising star looking to make a name or a determined role player ready to solidify her June 15th opportunities, the stage is set for game-changing moments.   I had the chance to connect with several of the athletes competing in the April 4 Showcase, and if there's one thing they all have in common, it's their mindset. These players are locked in, embracing the pressure, and ready to show the volleyball world exactly what they're made of.      Alex Cuan, a 5'10” outside/opposite hitter from the Class of 2026, returns to the PrepDig Showcase eager to demonstrate her progress. Since her last appearance, she has made noticeable gains in both her vertical and hitting range. Alex is a key contributor for LAVA 17 Molten (#3) and a varsity player for GHC, who was part of the team that captured the CIF Open Division Championship.   Alex approaches the SLC tournament with a team-first mindset, aiming to help her squad start strong on day one. Personally, her goals are rooted in discipline and consistency, focusing on the fundamentals, staying mentally composed during fatigue, and remaining someone her teammates can count on in high-pressure moments. These goals, she notes, extend beyond just this tournament.   Her commitment off the court is equally impressive. Alex trains in the weight room three days a week with her club, adds an additional day of strength work, attends physical therapy to stay healthy, and fits in outdoor runs when the weather allows.   What sets Alex apart is her constant communication, unwavering effort, and ability to be a dependable teammate, qualities she believes will stand out to college coaches watching the showcase. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Maddie Zaragoza, a Class of 2026 libero for City Gold 17-1 and Sierra Canyon Varsity Volleyball, is looking forward to showcasing two of her strongest skills, serve receive and serving.   Her goals are clear and team-focused: to help her team win their division by giving maximum effort and contributing in every way she can.   Maddie trains consistently, attending strength and conditioning sessions three times a week through Sierra Canyon during the school year. She also commits to weekly private libero training with elite coaches to fine-tune her technique. Alongside her physical preparation, she prioritizes nutrition to fuel her performance.   What sets Maddie apart is her relentless hustle, technical consistency, and ability to make early reads allowing her to position herself effectively and make meaningful touches that keep her team in system. Her dedication to doing the little things right reflects the kind of dependable libero college coaches can trust on the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='748114' first='Kaiya' last='Caudle'], a Class of 2027 libero/defensive specialist, competes for SG Elite 17 Excel and is a varsity player at Arcadia High School. Known for her energy, communication, and consistency, Kaiya is eager to showcase her serve receive and defensive abilities at the upcoming showcase.   She's made focused strides in reading hitters more effectively and reacting quickly to keep plays alive. Her goal is to make efficient, in-system plays while leading her team with vocal leadership and steady court presence. Kaiya prioritizes a high passing percentage, smart defensive reads, and delivering serve pressure to gain an edge each set.   Off the court, she commits to extra reps in serve receive, out-of-system defense, and regularly reviews film with her coaches. When not training in the gym, she's working to sharpen her volleyball IQ and refine her game.   Kaiya believes her enthusiasm, communication, and reliability are what set her apart. She takes pride in being a vocal leader and understands the crucial role a libero plays in keeping the team engaged, motivated, and connected throughout every match. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='760098' first='Stella' last='Pulos'], a 5'11” setter in the Class of 2027, is eager to showcase her dynamic skill set as a front row setter. She brings both offensive and defensive impact to the court, using her ability to block, dig, and strategically dump to keep opposing teams off balance.   One of Stella's primary goals for the tournament is to strengthen her connection with all of her hitters, especially the middles. She's focused on executing a variety of sets, including back sets, slides, and threes, all with the goal of helping her team secure a bid to Nationals.   Outside of regular team practices, Stella commits extra time in the gym working on strength training, improving her vertical jump, and building wrist strength to enhance her ability to execute deceptive dumps. She aims to stand out to college coaches through her setting accuracy in both perfect and out-of-system situations, along with her ability to contribute as an offensive and defensive threat in the front row. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='763486' first='Shay' last='Roddy'], a 5'6” libero from the Class of 2027, competes for Brusa 17-1 and is embracing the opportunity to lead her team at the Open level, an exciting challenge for a new club. As a libero, she's most excited to showcase her ability to direct the court, letting her competitive spirit and attention to detail shine through.   Her goals are centered around team development and success: working hard, building chemistry, having fun, and striving for greatness, all while aiming to win. Shay takes pride in her leadership, helping her teammates stay grounded through tough moments and celebrating with them in the highs. She's committed to focusing on the next play and never dwelling on the past point.   Off the court, Shay trains with a strength coach to build explosiveness and overall strength. Her time in the weight room has also helped her develop mental toughness. She's taken a more disciplined approach to nutrition, hydration, and sleep, knowing that these habits are key to consistent performance.   Shay believes what sets her apart is her calm, composed presence on the court combined with her fierce competitiveness and ability to elevate those around her. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='476977' first='Faith' last='Dansby'], a Class of 2028 student-athlete, currently competes as an opposite/defensive specialist for LAVA Mission 16-1 and Granada Hills Charter. While she plays both positions effectively, her true passion lies in defense, something she's eager to showcase at the upcoming event.   Her goal at every tournament is to demonstrate what she's been learning both at practices and through her own training. For Salt Lake, Faith is focused on stepping out of her comfort zone and showing coaches her drive and hunger to grow.   Faith has recently prioritized her nutrition, understanding that properly fueling her body is essential to staying healthy and performing at her best. She's also taken the initiative to review film from past tournaments, identifying areas for improvement and actively working to refine those aspects of her game.   What sets Faith apart is her mindset. She doesn't dwell on mistakes, instead choosing to stay focused on the next play. Her effort is relentless, she takes pride in going after every ball with intensity and purpose. In a sport where attitude is everything, Faith has developed the emotional maturity to lead by example on the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='747218' first='Brooklyn' last='Pierce'], a Class of 2027 setter for Brusa 17 ONE William and Temecula Valley High School, is eager to showcase her ability to run a dynamic, tempo-driven offense. She's especially focused on creating one-on-one opportunities for her hitters through improved deception and precise ball placement.   Brooklyn has dedicated extra time in the gym to strengthening her connection with her middles, with a goal of highlighting the middle attack alongside the pins at the Salt Lake City Qualifier. Competing in the Open Division is a major opportunity for her and her team, especially as part of a brand-new club—and she's motivated to help put Brusa on the map. After a strong third-place finish at Red Rock in the USA Division, she's looking to build on that momentum and continue improving in every area of her game.   In preparation for this event, Brooklyn has committed to strength training three times a week to build endurance for the demands of a three-day qualifier. She also trains weekly with a setting coach to sharpen her consistency, tempo, and location.   What sets Brooklyn apart is her ability to run an effective middle offense, her range and deception with back sets, and her calm, composed demeanor on the court. As a sophomore playing up in the 17s, she brings valuable experience and maturity to her team. Her high volleyball IQ, steady leadership, and confident presence are attributes she believes college coaches will recognize and appreciate. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Emilie Lasala, a determined and versatile outside hitter, is excited to showcase her all-around game, bringing powerful attacks, strong back-row play, and dependable defense to the court. She also takes pride in her leadership, positivity, and ability to push through challenges, all of which reflect her deep passion and drive for the game.   Her goals for the upcoming tournament focus on consistency and adaptability, minimizing errors and adjusting to each match's flow. Emilie is intentional about being a vocal leader, celebrating her teammates' successes, and staying composed in high-pressure situations.   Off the court, she has been working hard in the gym to improve her strength and footwork. In addition, Emilie has invested time in mindset training through visualization and meditation, helping her remain calm and focused under pressure. She has also made nutrition a priority, cutting back on sugars and increasing her protein intake to keep her energy levels steady throughout competition.   Emilie believes her work ethic, hustle, and passion will help her stand out to college coaches. She consistently brings positive energy, encourages her teammates, and leads by example, both vocally and through her play. ~ 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>

The Salt Lake City Showdown Qualifier is here. With a bid to the USA Volleyball Girls National Championship in Dallas on the line, top-tier teams from across the country have made their way to Utah, bringing with them fierce competition and undeniable talent.