Class of 2029 Liberos Ready to Make Their Mark

At the PrepDig NorCal Showcase in Ripon, California, the energy was undeniable as a standout group of incoming freshmen Liberos took the court with something to prove. Focused, competitive, and ready for the next step, these athletes showed up not just to be seen but to grow, grind, and gain ground on their college goals. From crisp serve receive to fearless floor defense, this group represented the heart of the backcourt with poise well beyond their years. I had the chance to connect some athletes off the court to learn what drives them, what they're working on, and what they want college coaches to know as they begin their high school journeys.   Meet some Liberos who are just getting started.    [player_tooltip player_id='775584' first='Gemma' last='Wood'] is wired to bring her A game. Her love for the game shows in her daily approach, walking off the court just a little better than the day before. She's the kind of defender who makes her presence known with nonstop hustle and clear communication, making sure no ball goes untouched. Right now, she's working on sharpening her mindset and learning to move forward quickly from mistakes, a skill that will serve her well at the next level.   Gemma's favorite memory is kicking a ball into the air just high enough for her setter to keep the rally going. Off the court, she's the kind of teammate who brings laughter and light to every room. Between youth group on Wednesdays and study sessions with friends, she's focused on keeping her grades strong and her perspective even stronger.   You can catch [player_tooltip player_id='775584' first='Gemma' last='Wood'] in action on June 25 at 9:00AM on Court 63 at the Girls Junior National Championships, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     For [player_tooltip player_id='779898' first='Ariana' last='Hardcastle'], there's no “one thing” she loves most about volleyball...she loves it all. The grind, the camaraderie, the challenge, the competition, it's what fuels her. She brings versatility and vision to the backcourt, with a natural ability to read hitters and cover the floor. She's currently working on tightening up her platform and footwork to fine-tune her first contact.   Ariana's favorite moment came mid-match when her team learned they earned a bid to Nationals, a reminder that hard work pays off when you least expect it. She's got some serious flexibility...literally. Her gymnastics background sometimes kicks in during plays where she drops into the splits to save a ball. Off the court, she finds her peace on the trampoline and in her music. Her goals are grounded: keep that scholar-athlete status and continue evolving as a student and teammate.   You can catch [player_tooltip player_id='779898' first='Ariana' last='Hardcastle'] in action on June 25 at 8:00AM on Court 66 at the Girls Junior National Championships, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='778161' first='Sammie' last='Campbell'] doesn't just play the game...she leads it. What she loves most about volleyball is how it pushes her mentally, and how it challenges her to show up as a better version of herself, both on and off the court. She's a natural leader with a gift for lifting up her teammates and setting the tone in high-pressure situations.   Sammie's current focus is speeding up her reaction time and improving how she reads hitters to elevate her team's ability to transition. Sammie's favorite memory came during school season, when she led her team to a playoff upset over a squad stacked with club talent. She's a 4.0 student with dreams of getting into real estate after college, and when she's not balling out, you'll find her lakeside with her family and her dog. Her freshman goal? Make varsity, lead by example, and leave no doubt she belongs on that court.   You can catch [player_tooltip player_id='778161' first='Sammie' last='Campbell'] in action on June 25 at 12:30PM on Court 23 at the Girls Junior National Championships, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247         [player_tooltip player_id='776681' first='Sophia' last='Fong'] is a serious competitor who finds joy between teammates, herself, and in the game. Her work ethic and drive are constant, but it's her volleyball IQ that separates her. She plays with purpose, chases down every ball, and knows how to be in the right place before the play even unfolds. She's focused on owning serve receive this season, stepping into seams and becoming the first contact leader her hitters can rely on.   Sophia's favorite moment came in crunch time, serving the game-winning ace in a third-set regional final to clinch a Nationals bid. Off the court, she's a powerhouse too: class president, newspaper editor, team captain, 4.0 GPA, and deeply interested in marine biology and entrepreneurship. Her freshman mission is clear, learn from leaders around her and become one in return.   You can catch [player_tooltip player_id='776681' first='Sophia' last='Fong'] in action on June 25 at 8:00 AM on Court 29 at the Girls Junior National Championships, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780224' first='Zuma' last='Kan'] competes with heart and a short memory...the good kind. She's trained herself to let go of mistakes and play free, a rare quality in a young defender. Her favorite part of the game is the bond she builds with her team, and it shows in the way she plays every point with purpose. She's currently locked in on improving her consistency and bringing the same level of intensity and energy to every rep.   Zuma's 14s season was one big highlight reel, filled with new teammates, long matches, and nonstop growth. Hailing from a small town where volleyball often flies under the radar, she's bringing next-level goals to every opportunity. Outside of volleyball, she's a multi-dimensional athlete who loves disc golf and time with friends. Freshman year goals? Earn a varsity spot and bring home her fifth Redwood Writing Contest award. ~ 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/my-account/subscriptions/">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>.     <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>

At the PrepDig NorCal Showcase in Ripon, California, the energy was undeniable as a standout group of incoming freshmen Liberos took the court with something to prove. Focused, competitive, and ready for the next step, these athletes showed up not just to be seen but to grow, grind, and gain ground on their college goals. From crisp serve receive to fearless floor defense, this group represented the heart of the backcourt with poise well beyond their years. I had the chance to connect some athletes off the court to learn what drives them, what they're working on, and what they want college coaches to know as they begin their high school journeys.