Rising Recruits Ready for the Triple Crown Summer NIT

Thank you to our PrepDig subscribers for supporting our coverage of the Triple Crown Summer NIT in Mesa, Arizona.   This new, invite-only event brings together some of the nation's most competitive club teams across multiple age groups and divisions. The athletes featured in this article range from the 2027 to 2030 classes, offering a valuable look at developing prospects who are already learning to perform in high-pressure environments. The structure and level of competition create meaningful opportunities for these athletes to be seen, challenged, and shaped by the experience.   In preparation for the event, I spoke with a group of athletes representing various positions and stages of development. They reflected on their goals, team roles, and what they want college coaches to know about who they are both on and off the court. Their responses reflect focus, self-awareness, and drive. These spotlights are crafted not only to give college coaches a clear, concise view into the mindset and maturity of athletes preparing to find the right collegiate fit, but also to inspire those looking to follow in their footsteps.    [player_tooltip player_id='501194' first='Ellie' last='Armato'] enters the first-ever Triple Crown Summer NIT with a clear goal: to be a dominant presence at the net and lead her team with energy and confidence. She's been focused on improving her blocking reads, refining her footwork, and staying mentally tough in preparation for high-level competition. Her mindset reflects not only a drive to compete, but also a readiness to be a reliable presence in critical moments.   As a middle blocker, Ellie is vocal, focused, and always engaged with what's happening on both sides of the net. “I hope college coaches notice how I'm always thinking a step ahead and staying locked in, not just on my own job, but on what's happening on the other side of the net too.” She brings a strong volleyball IQ, a team-first attitude, and a consistent effort to elevate the play of those around her. Whether she's calling out tendencies or bringing energy through transition play, Ellie is committed to making an impact. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='715895' first='Carly' last='Johnson'], a 2027 outside hitter is focused on refining her court vision heading into the Triple Crown Summer NIT. She has been working intentionally in practice to improve her ability to read the block and back-row defenders, asking questions about shot selection and learning to adjust based on what she sees in front of her. Her goal is to make smarter decisions at the net by combining technique with awareness.   Carly brings high energy and consistent effort to every rep, regardless of whether it's a practice or a match. “When college coaches watch me play, I hope they recognize my resilient mindset, my coachability, and my all-out effort.” She values being a teammate who lifts others up and plays with purpose. Carly's team-first approach, combined with her drive to grow and her positive presence both on and off the court, makes her a reliable contributor in any environment. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780193' first='Avery' last='Jernstedt'], a 2027 right-side hitter is approaching the Triple Crown Summer NIT with the goal of playing with confidence and consistency. Her preparation has been both physical and mental, sharpening technique in practice, building strength and mobility off the court, and focusing on staying composed under pressure. She's committed to contributing in any way that helps her team succeed, from smart decision-making to leadership through energy and communication.   Avery sees herself as a dependable player who leads by example. “When college coaches watch me play, I hope they notice specifically my court awareness and hustle.” She prides herself on staying locked in, staying positive, and keeping the team focused no matter the situation. Avery is a disciplined competitor with a strong sense of team loyalty and long-term commitment, both in volleyball and in academics. Her mindset, work ethic, and steady presence make her a valuable addition to any roster. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='730198' first='Aniston' last='Hunt'], a 2027 setter heads into the Triple Crown Summer NIT focused on running a faster offense and improving her ability to disguise sets. She's taken a deliberate approach to her development, training outside of practice and studying film to better understand decision-making in game situations. Her goal is to elevate her team's attack by creating the best possible opportunities for her hitters.   Aniston embraces her role as a leader, using both her voice and presence to uplift those around her. “Bringing energy while I'm on and off the court is definitely one of the things I'm best at and really leaves an impact on the team.” She is a setter who understands the value of communication, tempo, and energy flow. Her combination of technical focus and team-first leadership makes her a reliable and impactful floor general with a competitive edge. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='571994' first='Devyn' last='Kobe'], a 2028 outside hitter, is approaching the Triple Crown Summer NIT with a mindset built around growth and challenge. She sees this as an opportunity to compete against some of the best in the country, testing her offense against bigger blocks, handling tougher serves, and making impactful moves at the net. Her team has prepared with purpose, training at game speed and matching the intensity they expect to face.   Devyn plays a key role as both a point scorer at the net and a steady passer in the back row. “I hope college coaches will notice my confidence in how I play, no matter if we are down by 10 or up a ton, and my ability to be a positive leader to my team.” She leads with composure, brings consistency in pressure moments, and is always looking for ways to improve. Devyn values feedback, plays with purpose, and adds to team chemistry on and off the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='775599' first='Alyssa' last='Wu'], a 2029 opposite is focused on maintaining energy and confidence throughout every match at the Triple Crown Summer NIT. She's been preparing by staying consistent in training, learning to handle pressure, and pushing herself to compete at the level required to succeed against top-tier teams. Her mindset is centered on resilience and doing her part to help MVVC stay competitive and chase a strong finish.   Alyssa embraces her role as a vocal, steady presence who uplifts her teammates through every momentum shift. “I want college coaches to see that I am a team player who leads with energy, stays mentally locked in, and never gives up.” She values coachability and trusts the feedback she receives, putting in the work to improve while staying positive. Her discipline, attitude, and support-first approach make her a dependable player who understands how to keep a team connected and competing. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780573' first='Alexa' last='Kim'], a 2030 libero and defensive specialist enters the Triple Crown Summer NIT with a sharp focus on consistency and precision in her passing game. She has been putting in extra reps outside of practice, passing up to 100 balls a week, and working on agility and platform control to reduce unforced errors. Alexa has also been intentional about developing her hand skills during out-of-system plays, adding another layer to her game as a young but focused defender.   Alexa brings high energy, clear communication, and a disciplined approach to every rep. “I anticipate and watch where the ball is going, and my teammates appreciate my read of the court and my clear communication skills.” She sees the game well, keeps her team connected, and is steadily building her confidence through tournament experience. Alexa is coachable, reliable, and takes pride in the details, making her a player to track as she continues to grow in her role. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780836' first='Rachel' last='Richardson'], a 2027 middle blocker for San Ramon Valley High School and NorCal 16-1 Black is heading into the Triple Crown Summer NIT with a competitive mindset and a commitment to her team. Her preparation has included intense team practices with a game-speed focus, as well as additional hours outside the gym dedicated to building strength and refining skills. She wants her energy in practice to carry over into match play, and she's ready to compete with confidence.   Rachel embraces her role as a motivator and leader, whether she's on the court or on the bench. “I play for my team: if I'm not playing my best, I give back by hyping up my teammates, getting excited about and celebrating their accomplishments.” Her all-in mentality shows through both her vocal leadership and her relentless effort. Rachel is a late-start athlete with a strong growth curve and a powerful drive to succeed, balancing her athletic development with academic excellence and a team-first spirit rooted in empathy and purpose. ~ 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>.     <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 PrepDig subscribers for supporting our coverage of the Triple Crown Summer NIT in Mesa, Arizona.