Freshmen Hitters Who Bring the Heat

Middle blockers are often the heartbeat of a team's defense and the unsung heroes of offensive transitions. At the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase, several young middles proved they're ready to rise. These athletes showed they're not only fast off the ground, but also quick with reads, disciplined with timing, and aggressive in transition. Whether it's stuffing a top hitter or running the slide in rhythm, this group has the motor, length, and mindset to dominate at the next level.   What sets this group apart goes beyond their swings. They shared their voices by answering questions like: What do you love most about playing volleyball? What's your best skill on the court and why? What are you working to improve? What's your favorite memory so far?   They also let us in on fun facts, how they spend their free time, and their personal goals for freshman year, both on and off the court.   This is a fearless front row of freshmen who bring the heat and aren't afraid to show who they are.    Shaynalyn Tom brings a selfless edge to the front row. Her ability to cover her hitters and stay engaged in every play makes her a valuable presence at the net. “For me, I find lots of joy in playing volleyball, and it also acts as a distraction when there's too much going on in my life,” she shared. That mindset has fueled her rapid growth. Having only started club volleyball last season, she's already on the radar of college programs.   Shaynalyn is locked in on improving her hitting and expanding her offensive toolbox while continuing to refine her court awareness. Her favorite volleyball moment so far was competing at the Salt Lake City Showdown, a testament to how far she's come in a short time. Off the court, Shaynalyn dedicates time to the gym and gives back through community service, showing the kind of drive and heart that college coaches notice. She's focused, versatile, and determined to keep rising.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Gia brings intensity and edge to the middle. Her mindset and drive to win fuel her presence at the net, and she's focused on increasing her vertical to make an even greater impact. “My mindset and my determination set me apart because I like to win,” she shared. That fire shows in how she trains, how she competes, and how she leads in big moments.   Her favorite memory so far is Red Rock Rave, where her competitive nature helped drive her team. Off the court, Gia balances her grind by working out and riding her electric bike with friends, adding to her strength and stamina. She's aiming to start varsity and maintain a 3.7 GPA or higher. Both goals are well within reach for this hardworking athlete.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Stella's swing is her calling card. With a heavy arm and a strong presence at the net, she creates scoring opportunities from the middle and forces opposing blockers to stay alert. “What I love most about playing volleyball is the friends and skills I've made from it,” she shared. That connection shows in how she plays and how she supports her team.   A former setter at the 12U level, Stella brings awareness and vision that make her a smart, intentional attacker. Her focus right now is on improving her passing to develop into a more complete player. Off the court, she spends time swimming and hanging out with friends. One of her biggest goals this year is to make varsity and earn the chance to play alongside her sister. That team-first mindset is already setting her apart.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Yemaya is a high-IQ middle with sharp timing and a keen eye for holes in the defense. “What I love the most about playing volleyball is sharing the goal of competing and winning on a team with other talented girls,” she shared. That team mindset fuels her presence on the court, where she brings intention to every move.   She's currently focused on reading attackers more effectively and blocking with purpose, turning reaction into anticipation. Her favorite volleyball memory came during a road trip to her first travel tournament, a moment where friendships were forged and her love for the game deepened. Off the court, Yemaya brings that same competitive spirit to a round of UNO, and she's equally passionate about arts, crafts, reading, and music.   With a clear plan in mind, Yemaya is aiming to become a leading scorer, refine her topspin serve, and help her team contend for a state title. She's also focused on finding the right balance between school, sports, and friendships, something she's determined to figure out as she grows into the next phase of her volleyball journey.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Tinsley is on a fast track. In just one year of volleyball, she's earned a spot on a national-level team through sheer work ethic and drive. “What I love most about volleyball is being able to meet amazing people who share the same love for this sport with me,” she shared. That passion fuels her growth and keeps her focused on improvement.   Her blocking is already a standout skill. She has great timing, gets over the net well, and makes smart reads. Lately, she's been putting in extra time to refine her hitting and round out her game. One of her favorite moments came during Red Rock Rave 2025, when she delivered her first ace on the opening day.   College coaches will appreciate Tinsley's athleticism, energy at the net, and commitment to being a great teammate. Off the court, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, and her goals for freshman year include becoming the best version of herself and being a positive presence for those around her.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='772791' first='Baiya' last='Hanner'] is a vocal, energetic leader who brings personality and pressure to the middle. Her blocking is strong, and she thrives on learning from each unique attacker she faces. Baiya is focused on strengthening her mental game, knowing that mindset matters just as much as mechanics.   “I love the opportunity to meet so many types of people and build different relationships while also learning more about the hobby I love,” she shared.   Her 3rd place finish at Red Rock Rave was a proud moment, and she continues to bring energy to every practice and game. Coaches will love her enthusiasm, loud court presence, and drive to always get better.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='781621' first='Sicily' last='Churchill'] brings positivity and versatility to the front line. A middle/opposite hybrid, she's putting in extra reps through lessons and open gyms to sharpen her skills and increase her impact. “Playing with my teammates is my favorite part of volleyball,” she shared. Her favorite memory includes scoring key blocks, which shows she's already learning how to shift momentum at the net.   Off the court, Sicily is artistic and family-oriented. She balances volleyball with drawing, crocheting, baking, and spending time with her loved ones. She also competes in beach tournaments and is focused on making her high school team while excelling in the classroom.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Nylah plays with power and passion. “What I love most is the competitiveness of the sport and how we get to push ourselves. I also love the friendships we make along the way,” she shared. Her hitting is a clear strength, and she's working to read setters more effectively to make an even bigger impact at the net.   She thrives in high-level moments and brings flexibility to the front row with experience on both pins and in the middle. Off the court, Nylah enjoys spending time with friends and family. And yes, she can set too. This year, she's focused on earning strong grades and building new connections as she begins her high school journey.   ~ 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" />   July marks a key transition: club tryouts are here, and high school season is just around the corner. It's the perfect time to read more articles, build confidence, and support prospects by sharing this article.   To our incredible subscribers — thank you for being such an essential part of this journey. Together, we're growing the game, one rep, one article, and one athlete at a time.   This movement is powered by the village — athletes, coaches, families, and the community that believes in what's possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Middle blockers are often the heartbeat of a team's defense and the unsung heroes of offensive transitions. At the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase, several young middles proved they're ready to rise. These athletes showed they're not only fast off the ground, but also quick with reads, disciplined with timing, and aggressive in transition. Whether it's stuffing a top hitter or running the slide in rhythm, this group has the motor, length, and mindset to dominate at the next level.