Liberos and Defensive Specialists Stand Tall at GJNC

At GJNC in Dallas, the pressure was high and the level of play even higher, especially for teams competing in the Gold Bracket on Championship Day. But for these liberos and defensive specialists, it was just another opportunity to lead. Whether laying out for game-saving digs or keeping serve receive locked in, these backcourt anchors proved they belong among the nation's best. I had the opportunity to connect with several of them off the court and gain deeper insight into what fuels their success. College coaches looking for poised, high-IQ defenders should take a closer look at this group.    [player_tooltip player_id='778161' first='Sammie' last='Campbell'] stood out with her discipline and preparation. Her team, Omni 14 National, leaned into extra positional training, film study, and accountability as part of their build-up. “We didn't rise to the occasion, we fell back on our training,” she said. That consistency carried them all the way to the Freedom Division final. One of her most meaningful moments came when an opposing player told her, “You played so well.” For Sammie, that kind of respect validated the work she's put in. “Coming up one match short only makes me hungrier for more.”   Sammie credits much of her growth to her support system: “I wouldn't have been able to do this without my coaches. Coach Devin Elmore believed in us from day one and gave me the best advice to help me improve. Coach Hannah Platt was always there to support me and guided us with her experience as a collegiate athlete. And I'll forever be grateful for my teammates, we truly brought out the best in each other.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/image_7e2963.png" alt="" class="wp-image-790281" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='726142' first='Isabella' last='Navarro'] leaned into confidence and energy heading into the Patriot Division with Forza1 North 14 Ones. Though her team didn't initially earn a higher bid, Isabella rose to the occasion and gave it everything she had all weekend. The experience redefined her outlook. “At first I was disappointed we didn't qualify higher, but I ended the season proud. I played the hardest I had all year.”   She credits Coach Patti for helping her finish strong, both mentally and physically. “I'd love to thank Coach Patti for stepping in midseason and teaching me resilience and toughness, those lessons made all the difference.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='731906' first='Olena' last='Harasymowycz'] delivered a breakout performance for PCVC 14 Nalu in the USA Division. The team's focus on conditioning and high-rep skill work paid off, and Olena felt the momentum build throughout the tournament. “We already knew we were going to medal, so I just tried to play free and not put too much pressure on the moment.” Her standout memory came in a pivotal crossover win against La Vernia. “We've struggled in those moments before, so winning that one together was huge.” The experience lifted her confidence and made her believe her team could go even further next season.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/image_c0f1e0.png" alt="" class="wp-image-790282" style="width:172px;height:auto" /></figure>   Olena also took a moment to recognize someone very special: “I want to shout out my dad, who is also my coach. He's supported me no matter what, through every high and low. He's helped me love this sport, and I'm forever thankful for his encouragement, his guidance, and his love.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='511585' first='Alexis' last='Leo'] thrived under pressure for Vision 14 White. The Freedom Division standout focused on staying disciplined and hungry. “We play better when we're relaxed and having fun,” she said. Her team rallied to secure third place, and Alexis delivered multiple clutch aces down the stretch. “Last year, I thought even getting to Nationals would be difficult. But staying locked in and believing helped make it happen.” Her journey is a testament to the power of mindset and growth through competition.   Alexis shared her gratitude for those who've supported her along the way: “Thank you to my teammates for always fighting for points with me, and to my coaches for helping me read the game better. I'd also like to thank my parents and my sister for always supporting me, and for driving (and flying!) with me to tournaments. I'm so thankful for everything they've sacrificed to let me play the sport I love.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='568879' first='Alicia' last='Reyes'] stepped up in every way for SG Elite 14 Roshambo. Her team prioritized the little details and recreated game-like pressure in practice, which prepared Alicia to handle the intensity of the Gold Bracket with poise and composure. “My team helped push me through,” she shared. The turning point came on Day 3, when they won a tough three-set crossover, unaware at the time that the win had secured them a medal. “We were just happy we won, then we found out we had medaled.”   Alicia credits her coaches for playing a huge role in her growth, especially head coach Nathan Yu. “He's been so thoughtful all season. He always knew when to push us and when we needed support. You could tell he genuinely cared about us as athletes and as people. I'm really grateful for all the effort and energy he put into our team.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/image_be4d6b.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-790285" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='525945' first='Aniyah' last='Fayne'] embraced her dual role as a right side and backcourt leader for Omni 14-1. Even though her position is a OH/RS, I felt she played great defense at this tournament and wanted to recognize her for it by featuring her here. Her reflections center on mental steadiness, support, and trusting the process. “We worked extremely hard, so when the pressure came, we didn't try to be heroes, we trusted our prep.” Her team leaned into love and trust, and it showed. “This boosted my confidence a lot. I'm striving to get better so I can be right back in that moment again.”   Aniyah shared gratitude for the people who shaped her journey: “Thank you to my coaches for giving me the opportunity to play on a team I love. You helped me grow not just physically, but mentally too, and I think you're the best coaches ever. I love my teammates so much. You've lifted me when I was down, supported me through mistakes, and celebrated the highs together. I also want to thank my mom for standing by my side and supporting me through the sacrifices of club volleyball. And lastly, thank you to the opponents I faced all year, competing against you helped me grow into the player I am today.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='778311' first='Ava' last='Castagnino'] brought competitive fire into every practice leading up to GJNC. Actyve 14 Navy emphasized internal competition, whether through 6v6, queens, or conditioning, and Ava embraced it fully. "That mindset helped us strive to beat every team we played." She helped drive her team to the quarterfinals, where they lost in a tight three game match. “We played the best we have all season. I was so proud of our whole team.” After the run, Ava says the experience only deepened her desire to win and sharpened her resolve to come back even stronger.   When asked to shout out a teammate who made an impact, Ava didn't hesitate: “[player_tooltip player_id='714028' first='Yemaya' last='Chappell'] has worked so hard this season, and it shows. Her growth in skill, confidence, and presence has made a huge impact. Whether she's blocking or hitting, she makes herself known, and I'm so proud of how far she's come.”   ~ 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

At GJNC in Dallas, the pressure was high and the level of play even higher, especially for teams competing in the Gold Bracket on Championship Day. But for these liberos and defensive specialists, it was just another opportunity to lead. Whether laying out for game-saving digs or keeping serve receive locked in, these backcourt anchors proved they belong among the nation's best. I had the opportunity to connect with several of them off the court and gain deeper insight into what fuels their success. College coaches looking for poised, high-IQ defenders should take a closer look at this group.