Setting the Tone: Freshman Setters Ready to Lead

At the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase, a standout group of setters and hybrid players proved they're ready to take charge. These athletes weren't just delivering clean balls to their hitters. They were orchestrating plays, commanding the court, and leading with confidence. With strong communication skills, high volleyball IQs, and a drive to learn, these freshmen are already thinking like next-level players.   In this article, I'm not just spotlighting their skill. I'm highlighting their voices. Through their own words, you'll get a glimpse of their leadership mindset, competitive edge, and what motivates them to keep growing. Whether they're running the offense, making smart reads, or staying composed under pressure, these young athletes are setting the tone for their teams now and for the future.    [player_tooltip player_id='772736' first='Payton' last='Froid'] brings precision and poise to the setting position. A natural at creating opportunities for her hitters, she's been locked in on developing her setting craft since day one. Right now, she's focused on building her defensive game to become a more complete, six-rotation player. “My favorite part about volleyball is having a bond with a coach,” she shared. “Coaches mean the most to me, and I appreciate them so much for taking time out of their day to come coach me and a team.”   Payton has proven she can compete and win at a high level. She is also a multisport athlete with a 4.0 GPA, a love for choir, and involvement in ASB. Payton blends leadership, dedication, and academic focus in everything she does.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='774183' first='Ariana' last='Hernandez'] is relentless in her hustle. Known for chasing down tough balls and keeping rallies alive, her motor and positive energy make her an asset in any rotation. “The friendships I've made with my teammates really make me feel like I'm playing with a bunch of my sisters,” she shared. Ariana's setting is her strongest skill, and she takes pride in putting her hitters in the best possible position to score. She's currently focused on improving her defense so she can dig more balls and stay one step ahead of the play.   Ariana's favorite memory so far is winning the 2024 Salt Lake City Showdown, where her team fought hard the entire weekend and came away with a national bid. With a 4.0 GPA, she balances elite-level competition with academic excellence. Her dream is to follow in the footsteps of her cousin, former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, and lead with that same grit and heart in blue and white.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780377' first='Sloane' last='Banks'] thrives under pressure. Her calm, composed presence in tough moments gives her teammates confidence, and her leadership stands out through poise and smart decision-making. “I love the volleyball environment,” she shared. “The energy and the camaraderie makes me feel so excited all the time. The prep for a tournament, seeing my team early in the mornings, and that rush you get when you win or just do well… it never gets old.”   Sloane is working to expand her volleyball IQ while continuing to lead with strength and support, whether it's through a well-placed set, a high five, or helping with rotations. With a background in dance and gymnastics, she brings fluidity, precision, and polished footwork to her game. Off the court, she's a bold cook, a language learner, and a varsity hopeful who plays with both joy and intention.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='543959' first='Jade' last='Morgan'] leads with vision and execution. As a setter, she's focused on isolating hitters and making fast, smart decisions to elevate her team's offense. “A couple things I love most about playing volleyball are how competitive it is and the friendships you make along the way,” she shared.   This season, Jade set a personal goal to jump set in every situation and has been working steadily to master that high-level skill. Her leadership and confidence on the court helped her team earn a third-place finish at Nationals, and she's bringing that same mindset into high school as she looks to build strong connections with new teammates. With a competitive edge and a clear commitment to growth, Jade is a setter to watch.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='770102' first='Jocelyn' last='Nading'] thrives on the mental side of volleyball. “The thing I love most about volleyball is the mental part of the game,” she shared. “I love reading the blockers and defense on the opposite side of the court to isolate my hitters.” Her precision as a setter stands out, consistently placing the ball to give her attackers the best opportunity to score. Defense is another area she takes pride in, and she's committed to strengthening that part of her game even further.   Jocelyn's favorite memory is winning a national bid in Spokane, a high-stakes moment that fueled her love for challenge and accountability. Off the court, she's just as driven, reading multiple books a week and training in her home gym to stay strong for her team. Whether it's max jumping on her sets or maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Jocelyn brings the same intensity and focus to everything she does.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='781986' first='Charlotte' last='Broutt'] is a communicator, a competitor, and a coachable leader. “What I love most about playing volleyball is it makes me feel confident and strong and part of something important,” she shared. “I love the feeling of being focused and powerful when I'm on the court.” That mindset shows up in her work ethic and communication, two of her strongest assets on the floor. She brings energy to every rep and is constantly working to refine every area of her game, believing there's always room to improve.   Charlotte's favorite memories come from traveling with her team and building bonds through high-level matches. Originally a basketball player, she found her passion for volleyball thanks to her older sister and never looked back. Off the court, Charlotte is grounded and well-rounded, balancing volleyball with academics, friendships, and reading. Her goals include making varsity and earning above a 3.5 GPA as a freshman, and her drive suggests she's on track to accomplish both.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='748107' first='Brooklyn' last='Hill'] is a quiet force with a strong motor. “What I love most about volleyball is watching myself grow in the sport,” she shared, and that perspective shapes the way she approaches the game. Her leadership shows in her work ethic. She's always giving maximum effort and setting the tone with her focus. Right now, Brooklyn is working on staying out of her own head during challenging moments, knowing that composure is key to high-level play.   One of her proudest memories came in the semifinals in Reno, where she served 10 straight balls in the third set to close out the win for her team. That moment reflects her grit and ability to stay locked in under pressure. Off the court, Brooklyn's creativity shines through, and she finds balance spending time with friends and family. With her mindset and motor, Brooklyn is a setter on the rise.   ~ 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.   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.   🎯 College Coaches — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We're tracking their performance, growth, and impact through Recruitable Credentials — earned indicators college coaches recognize. Follow their journey with us and connect with athletes built for the next level.   🙏 Parents & Supporters — Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

At the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase, a standout group of setters and hybrid players proved they're ready to take charge. These athletes weren't just delivering clean balls to their hitters. They were orchestrating plays, commanding the court, and leading with confidence. With strong communication skills, high volleyball IQs, and a drive to learn, these freshmen are already thinking like next-level players.