2027 Middles: Voices from a College Showcase

Thank you to our subscribers for supporting behind-the-scenes coverage of both sessions of the 2025 SCVC and Mizuno Long Beach College Showcase. This standout event brought together more than 30 college programs from across the country, including UCLA, USC, Harvard, Pepperdine, Brown, and Oregon, for a coveted coach-led camp experience.   What made this showcase truly unique was the immersive format. College coaches ran the drills, provided real-time feedback, and created a dynamic environment that mirrored the structure and pace of a collegiate practice. Athletes weren't just evaluated on their performance, they were also given the opportunity to assess the coaches, observing their energy, teaching style, and communication on the court.   For middles, the camp format provided meaningful reps in both attacking and transition work, with an emphasis on quick reads, fast footwork, and blocking discipline. Working directly with college coaches gave these athletes a chance to sharpen timing and court awareness while adjusting to unfamiliar setters and tempo. The ability to stay vocal, engaged, and efficient in this environment was key.   A Q&A session added another layer of insight, allowing athletes to ask direct questions about the recruiting process, team dynamics, and what it takes to succeed at the next level. In their own words, here's what the experience meant to a group of 2027 middles who showed up ready to learn, compete, and lead. As a bonus, they also shared their advice for other athletes attending a college-coach-led camp for the first time.    [player_tooltip player_id='545293' first='Liliana' last='Swanson'] made the most of her time at the college camp by focusing on communication and collaboration. She felt confident in how she connected with new teammates and adapted quickly on the court. Her ability to lead through communication and stay present in a fast-paced setting reflects maturity and self-awareness at a key position.   Lily especially appreciated the opportunity to interact with coaches beyond just skill instruction. “It was great to joke around with the coaches and know that volleyball isn't all they're looking for in the recruiting process,” she shared. The experience gave her clarity on what matters most in choosing a college program, team culture, personal happiness, and long-term fit over brand-name recognition. Her advice to others: “Talk to as many coaches as you can and ask them questions, whether it be about themselves or volleyball skills, because they are very skilled and have lots of knowledge to share.” ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Sariah Jordyn Turner brought consistent effort and focus to every drill, even when stepping into unfamiliar territory. She worked through early nerves by staying committed to the process and choosing to lead from the front. “A moment I was especially proud of was when I volunteered to go first in some drills and demo because I was able to get out of my comfort zone and trust in my abilities,” she shared. That willingness to compete with confidence reflects a growth mindset and strong presence in the middle.   What stood out most to Sariah was the level of detail in the coaches' feedback and their investment in player development. She valued the individualized instruction and the insight into what college programs expect on and off the court. The experience helped clarify the kind of environment she's looking for, one built on communication, challenge, and support. Her advice to others: work hard, be open to mistakes, and stay focused on improvement. “It's easy to get caught up in the pressure, but it's important to remember that camps are about development and enjoying the experience, while learning as much as you can.” ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Darby Vannah stepped confidently into the camp, even volunteering to demonstrate a drill in front of her peers. “I passed the short ball, hit the slide, and then transitioned back to hit a quick middle attack,” she shared. Her willingness to take initiative, stay composed, and execute cleanly in front of college coaches showed a blend of preparation and confidence that stands out in her position.   For Darby, the highlight was connecting directly with college coaches, both on the court and in conversation. She appreciated how approachable and honest they were, noting that their feedback helped her see the game from new angles. Working with Addie Picha from Cal Poly stood out in particular. “She also played middle, and she was very good at connecting with us and explaining what we needed to improve on or add to our approach, footwork, and swing,” Darby shared. Her advice to future campers: “Be excited, be yourself, and take advantage of the great opportunity to work with and learn from some incredible coaches.” ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='775554' first='Sienna' last='Castillo'] made the most of her showcase opportunity, using each drill to refine her timing and execution. She carried that work into six-on-six play, where she delivered a solo block against a back-row attack, one of her proudest moments. Her ability to stay locked in through both training and live play shows her readiness to translate skill work into game situations.   What stood out most to Sienna was how engaged and supportive the college coaches were, both on the court and during recruiting discussions. Their encouragement and insight into the June 15 timeline gave her confidence and clarity about what's ahead. The experience helped her define what matters most in a college program, competitive energy, team connection, and coaches who are actively involved in player development. Her advice to future athletes: “Go in with a positive attitude and be ready to learn. Give it your all and be open to feedback. Most of all, have fun and enjoy the experience.” ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_b3bd7c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770392" /></figure>     ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_4421fb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770395" style="width:106px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   📍 <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">Come get on our radar!</a> — attend an upcoming <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">PrepDig Event</a>:       June 13 – Ripon (Classes of 2026–2029)   June 14 – Rancho Santa Margarita (Classes of 2026–2029)   June 24 – USAV GJNC Showcase – Session 1 (Classes of 2026–2029)   June 29 – USAV GJNC Showcase – Session 2 (Classes of 2026–2029)   August 23 – Rancho Santa Margarita (Classes of 2030–2032)   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Together, we're building a positive platform to celebrate players and connect the volleyball community through exposure and opportunity.   To all of our subscribers — thank you for being such an essential part of this journey. Let's keep growing the game and creating unforgettable memories together.   This journey is powered by the village — athletes, coaches, families, and the subscribers who support the sport.   Thank you for making it all possible — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @<a href="https://www.coachable247.com/">Coachable247</a>

Thank you to our subscribers for supporting behind-the-scenes coverage of both sessions of the 2025 SCVC and Mizuno Long Beach College Showcase. This standout event brought together more than 30 college programs from across the country, including UCLA, USC, Harvard, Pepperdine, Brown, and Oregon, for a coveted coach-led camp experience.