Outside Hitters: Relentless at the Net

When momentum was up for grabs on Championship Day at GJNC, these outside hitters stepped in with fearless swings, smart shot selection, and undeniable presence. Competing in the Gold Bracket against some of the top teams in the country, they anchored serve receive, generated out-of-system kills, and fired up their teammates when it mattered most. I connected with each of them off the court to dig deeper into how they prepared, how they handled the pressure, and what this moment meant in their development. College coaches looking for terminal hitters who compete with purpose should take a closer look.    [player_tooltip player_id='742790' first='Andrijana' last='Beman'] entered Nationals ready to give everything she had. As the go-to outside for PCVC 14-1 Nalu, she embraced conditioning, visualization, and a team-first mentality. “I stretched and warmed up my legs to prepare for every game,” she said. One of her most memorable moments came in a comeback win over OMNI, where her team erased a 2–10 deficit. “It was a lot of pressure, but I was determined to put my body on the line for every ball.” That competitiveness shows up not only in her performance, but in how she leads and connects with teammates. “Coach Greg, Coach Shannon, and Coach Isa really pushed me to my limits to help me become the best athlete I can be,” she shared. “My teammates are my second family. I love every one of them with my whole heart. I'm an only child, so they're like the sisters I've never had. I love you all and appreciate you more than you know, and I can't wait for 15s!”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='569569' first='Anaya' last='Dela Fuente'] focused on staying locked in and bringing positive energy, no matter the result. “Win or lose, I always try to keep my cool and remind my team we belong here,” she said. Her reflections show emotional intelligence and a team-centered approach. “The connections we made this season meant a lot. It was my first year on this team, and they made me feel confident and full of energy.” That confidence translated into consistent play and leadership on the floor.   Anaya shared, “I'd like to thank my coaches: Jez, Shelby, Lisa, and SG Elite for always being there for me. They've pushed me to be my best and helped me grow in confidence on and off the court. I've learned and improved so much as a person and an athlete since the first time I stepped foot on SG, and I'm so grateful for everything they've done throughout my 15s journey.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='783472' first='Lauren' last='Rowe'] entered the Freedom Division knowing it was the final ride with her team. That awareness added weight to every match, and she didn't shy from it. “It felt sad, but also proud and accomplished. We didn't know if each game was our last,” she said. One of her favorite moments came in a tight win that sent her team to the big court. “We held hands on the sideline as our right side put it away. We all tackled her in celebration.” Lauren plays with heart, and she's ready to keep pushing for the next level, possibly as an outside, where she feels most at home. “Thanks for the best team I could ever ask for...OMNI 14 National.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='787804' first='Rebecca' last='Neault'] brought smart, efficient play to Ignite 15 National. Playing for a smaller club, she helped earn the first-ever bid in program history. “We aren't the tallest, so we had to be the smartest and toughest,” she said. In a key three-set win, she delivered four straight kills to help her team go 3–0 and stay in the Gold Bracket. “That game summed up everything we'd worked for.” Her volleyball IQ, ability to score in tough moments, and relentless work ethic make her a strong prospect with clear upside. “My teammates welcomed me so much this year, and knowing I could repay their kindness by helping out in crucial moments made me even more grateful for the environment I've become part of.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='769741' first='Jimin' last='Seung'] embraced the pressure of her first Nationals with clarity and confidence. “I knew I had to shift my mindset and help my teammates adapt too. This is a team sport,” she said. Her Pipeline team had previously lost to MadFrog, but in the semifinals, they earned redemption, and a medal. “We'd never played on a championship court before. That moment was unforgettable.” Jimin's emotional maturity and composure make her stand out, especially considering she was playing up in age.   Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I don't even know where to start, my coaches are the most awesomest. They help everyone strive for perfection and build great players. They always wish the best for you, no matter what happens. The trust and connection I have with them is on another level. I've never felt this cared for or improved so much in a single season. I'm hopeful for continued growth and a successful path alongside my coaches and teammates.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='766540' first='Malika' last='Khushu'] brought focus and fight to Coast 14-2's Liberty Division run. “We knew this was our last time playing together, so we made it a priority to give everything we had,” she said. Playing in front of packed stands, including former and current coaches, only added to the weight of the moment. “It was competitive and exciting, and we fought for every point.” Malika thrives in big environments and leads with steady energy, especially when the pressure is on.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/image_e96668.png" alt="" class="wp-image-790634" /></figure>    <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

When momentum was up for grabs on Championship Day at GJNC, these outside hitters stepped in with fearless swings, smart shot selection, and undeniable presence. Competing in the Gold Bracket against some of the top teams in the country, they anchored serve receive, generated out-of-system kills, and fired up their teammates when it mattered most. I connected with each of them off the court to dig deeper into how they prepared, how they handled the pressure, and what this moment meant in their development. College coaches looking for terminal hitters who compete with purpose should take a closer look.