Inside the HBCU Showcase: Voices from the Court

Thank you to our subscribers for making coverage like this possible. I'm excited to bring you some of the voices and stories from the HBCU Showcase in Las Vegas, held on July 13, 2025. California athletes made a statement with their performances, earning the attention of HBCU coaches and putting their names on the radar.   HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, are institutions founded primarily to serve Black students during a time when access to higher education was limited due to segregation. Today, they are celebrated for their academic excellence, cultural legacy, and vibrant athletic programs. This showcase gave athletes a meaningful opportunity to connect with HBCU coaches, learn about these storied programs, and imagine themselves thriving in an environment rooted in both community and excellence.   The athletes featured below didn't just show up...they brought heart, perspective, and purpose. Through their reflections, they shared the mindset, work ethic, and personal connection they feel toward the HBCU experience. This platform allowed each of them to raise their voice and visibility, offering college coaches a deeper look at the character behind the game.    A 2026 outside hitter from Saint Mary's College High School in Berkeley, [player_tooltip player_id='730255' first='London' last='Crawford'] stands out for her high-level court awareness and mental toughness. She takes pride in reading the opposing side and making smart adjustments mid-play. A two-sport athlete who also plays shortstop, she brings quickness, sharp reactions, and controlled movement to the volleyball court. Over the past year, she's locked in on improving her serve receive through small technical adjustments and consistent reps.   When asked what draws her to HBCUs, she shared: "I have always believed that HBCUs are premier educational institutions! My parents are graduates of Howard, and my brother currently attends Xavier of Louisiana. Representation matters, and the opportunity to play with others that love HBCUs, volleyball, and academics as much as I do will make the experiences even more meaningful. HBCUs represent just 3% of the colleges and universities in the US, but are responsible for producing 70% of Black physicians. I plan to have a career in the health sciences, and there is no better place than an HBCU where I can achieve my goals of being a scholar-athlete."   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='506708' first='Maya' last='Wynn'], a left-handed right side/outside from Heritage Christian School, plays the game with a strategic mindset and fierce competitive spirit. She sees the court like a chessboard, always searching for the smartest move, even in the face of a double block. Off the court, she's a passionate teammate who uplifts others and brings joy to tense moments. Maya has dedicated extra hours to improving her defense and serve receive, blending physical training with written affirmations to stay focused and encouraged.   Reflecting on the opportunity to play at an HBCU, she shared: "Playing at an HBCU means I get to play with more people like myself. HBCUs are an amazing environment to be around, and it's very different from other colleges in a good way...the vibe is something I want to be a part of. When I toured Howard in 2023, I saw one big community, and that's what I live for, not only as a student but as an athlete too."   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='708497' first='Lailah' last='Clayborne'], a 2028 middle/pin from King Drew Magnet of Medicine and Science, is a driven student of the game who leads with both positivity and accountability. She's confident in her ability to attack through the middle and is putting in the work to grow her skills as a pin hitter and back-row defender. Always observant and eager to learn, Lailah brings a balance of humility and hunger to every practice. Her biggest gains have come through aggressive attacking, earned through extra reps, optional practices, private lessons, weight training, and dedicated film study.   Reflecting on what draws her to the HBCU experience, she shared: "Playing at an HBCU interests me because it is an opportunity to play surrounded by people who I have shared experiences with and who I can relate to on a whole different level. Playing at an HBCU could shape my volleyball journey by empowering me to level up like the elite Black girls around me, as well as encourage other Black girls. Outside of volleyball, playing at an HBCU could come with making lifelong friends who share my same interests and rich history."   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='734830' first='Disaya' last='Chacon'] is a 2027 setter from Quartz Hill High School who commands the court with confidence and purpose. Known for her clean delivery and competitive drive, she's currently focused on refining her jump setting. She's invested time in private lessons to improve her extension and squaring up, and the progress is evident.   Sharing what draws her to the HBCU experience, she said: "What interests me about HBCUs is the diversity. I love being in a diverse community and being around people with unique backgrounds. I think that would help me grow, not just in volleyball, but as a person because I can learn from so many different people, ideas, and experiences."   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     A libero/DS from Bakersfield College, Markaija Bolden is a leader by example. Her confidence on defense, nonstop communication, and relentless hustle make her a key presence in the back row. This past year, she took on the challenge of strengthening her setting, despite being told it wasn't her strength, and put in the work outside the gym with friends, family, and solo reps to turn it into a skill she now takes pride in. Markaija is resilient, focused, and deeply grounded in her purpose both on and off the court.   When asked what draws her to the HBCU experience, she shared: "What interests me most about playing at an HBCU is playing with people who look like me. Volleyball isn't that diverse in California, so playing with teammates who reflect me would give me so much more confidence. Being around my people would just feel refreshing, never having to code-switch and just feeling safer and more relaxed overall."   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Nylah Hiddleson is a dynamic 2027 outside/opposite/DS from Quartz Hill who thrives on smart shot selection and keeping her team focused. She brings energy, awareness, and a strong next-point mentality to every rally. Over the past year, Nylah has made significant progress in her passing and decision-making, learning to hit around the block and target key zones with precision.   For Nylah, the opportunity to play at an HBCU represents something deeper than volleyball. She shared: "I would love to go to an HBCU. I'm adopted by a white family and lived in a predominantly white area my whole life, but we moved to California to change that. I would just love to show up and feel seen, to feel like I fit in and can just be happy. With volleyball, I feel like I can be seen more by coaches who I can bond with on and off the court. I would love to feel like I have another family in this sport and this community."   ~ 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

Thank you to our subscribers for making coverage like this possible. I'm excited to bring you some of the voices and stories from the HBCU Showcase in Las Vegas, held on July 13, 2025. California athletes made a statement with their performances, earning the attention of HBCU coaches and putting their names on the radar.