SoCal UpNext Showcase: Step Into the Spotlight

The SoCal UpNext Showcase at Prime Volleyball Club in Rancho Santa Margarita was all about building a foundation. For the Class of 2032 athletes, it wasn't just their first chance to step onto a showcase court, it was an opportunity to begin shaping who they want to be as players and teammates in the years ahead.   The underlining theme of the day was simple but powerful, learn how to showcase. From calling for the ball, to bringing energy in warmups, to finding their voice on the court, these athletes were challenged to think about more than just skills. As the youngest group in the gym, they walked away with valuable lessons that will serve them long before college coaches ever watch them play.   What makes this group so exciting is the time they have. With years ahead to refine their games and grow their athlete personalities, the 2032 class is getting an early start on something that will set them apart when recruiting conversations begin down the road: confidence in who they are and how they show it.   I had a chance to ask these athletes some questions about their focus, goals, and what they want others to remember about them after this showcase. Their answers show not only where they are today, but the kind of competitors and teammates they are working to become.    Fabiana Archuleta continues to impress every time she steps on the court with her ability to make plays on the ball and impact rallies on both sides. Her timing and reads are already at a high level, and she shows a maturity in how she anticipates and reacts to the game. Defensively, her quick footwork keeps her in great position while her eye work and platform allow her to control first contact with consistency. Fabiana's instincts and skill give her a strong foundation, and the upside in her game points to big things ahead as she continues to develop. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     For [player_tooltip player_id='769075' first='Ioanah' last='Niko'], the SoCal UpNext Showcase was about more than just volleyball reps. She valued the chance to share the court with athletes she usually faces as opponents, seeing it as a way to grow friendships and build a network that will travel with her throughout her career. She spoke about how the showcase reminded her that many girls “share my same journey and volleyball struggles,” an insight that reinforced her goal of being a better communicator this season. Ioanah also wanted to show coaches and peers that she is grounded in who she is, simply “a young girl trying to be the best version of me on this journey.” She proved it by earning MVP at the Showcase ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     For Kaeley “KJ” Johnston, the SoCal UpNext Showcase was as much about connection as competition. She was excited to invite and play alongside teammates and friends like Kassidy, Meilanie, Gail, and Violet, seeing the event as a chance to strengthen relationships that fuel her journey. She wanted to be remembered for the way she used her voice, explaining, “every touch deserves a conversation and communication kills confusion.” That mindset, paired with her upbeat energy, made her a steady presence who kept her team connected and confident throughout the day. Her performance earned her a MVP at the Showcase. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     For [player_tooltip player_id='878753' first='Emma' last='Kerdiles'], the SoCal UpNext Showcase was about stepping into the game with both excitement and nerves, but mostly with joy for the chance to learn and grow. She explained, “I feel really excited and a little nervous, but once I get on the court, I know it's going to be so much fun,” highlighting her eagerness to play with new teammates and absorb coaching that will help her sharpen her skills. With just over a year of volleyball under her belt, Emma is focused on building confidence and consistency in the fundamentals, showing that she is willing to laugh off mistakes, stay positive, and keep improving every time she takes the court. Her performance impressed coaches and earned her a MVP at the showcase. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='701283' first='Harper' last='Chrabaszcz'], an outside hitter from Chaminade College Prep, came into the SoCal UpNext Showcase with a focus on the strength and conditioning work she put in all summer, training three times a week to jump higher and finish matches with the same energy she started. She was excited for the chance to play with athletes she usually faces as opponents, seeing the value in growing together toward similar goals. Her competitive edge was clear as she shared, “I'm excited to hit a ball so hard that it leaves a scuff on the ten-foot line,” a statement that captured both her power and her personality. Harper already has her sights set on medaling at Nationals and an even bigger dream of representing the United States in both indoor and beach at the 2036 Olympics. She is fueled by effort, attitude, and a love for the game that makes her a competitor to watch. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='778782' first='Alessandra' last='Cischke'], a setter from Trinity Pacific Christian, is working on a quicker release with strong wrist action and better use of her legs and arms to give her hitters more tempo and power, while also taking pride in being a defensive setter who can hold her own in the back row. She came to the SoCal UpNext Showcase eager to connect, excited “to get to meet and play with other talented girls from Southern California, and learn from their game.” Her mindset this season is to control the controllable, move on quickly from one play to the next, and keep her energy positive while becoming a more vocal leader. Known for her effort and dedication, she strives to get 1% better each day while always being a supportive teammate. Inspired by her aunt, a former Division I and professional setter, Alessandra carries that family legacy with her, and when she is not indoors, she can often be found on the beach continuing to sharpen her skills in the sand. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Maya' last='Banheh'], an outside hitter from West Creek Academy, has been focused on her footwork, working to bring her approach and arm swing together for a more effective attack. She came into the SoCal UpNext Showcase motivated to test that progress against top talent and shared, “I believe this showcase will help me as it is the first opportunity to step into the new season with talented girls and compete but also learn and have fun!” With a personal goal of challenging herself against stronger competition to be ready for higher-level tournaments, Maya also wanted coaches and teammates to see her passion for the game and her commitment to making the experience fun for everyone around her. A multi-sport athlete since age six, with backgrounds in club soccer and basketball, she now channels that love of competition fully into volleyball. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='877363' first='Ava' last='Copenhaver'], an outside hitter from Pioneer Middle School, is focused on improving her jump serve, working to get it consistently over the net and deep in the court while reminding herself to keep trying even if it doesn't land. She came to the SoCal UpNext Showcase excited to meet new players and take in advice from coaches, sharing that if she makes a mistake on serve receive her goal is “to have the mentality to want the next serve to come to me.” Known for bringing power and strength to every point, Ava also stands out for how quickly she makes friends, a quality that adds to her impact on and off the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='785216' first='Demi' last='Farrior'], a middle blocker and opposite from UCLA Lab, has been putting in the work to sharpen her blocking from pin to pin and stay disciplined in her transitions on every possession. At the SoCal UpNext Showcase, she was eager to step on the court with players she normally competes against, saying she was most excited about “playing alongside athletes that I see in competition during the club season.” Her goal this year is to grow her serving and push her vertical even higher, while showing coaches the kind of teammate she is and how coachable she can be. Off the court, Demi is a track and field All-American and shares her love of volleyball with her twin sister, Marli, who also competes at a high level. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='877379' first='Marli' last='Farrior'], an outside hitter and middle blocker from The Center for Early Education, has been sharpening her jump serve with the goal of making it one of her most reliable weapons. At the SoCal UpNext Showcase, she embraced the chance to grow her game and connect with others, sharing that she was most excited about “learning new techniques at the showcase and meeting new players.” Marli has also been focused on developing her line shot and attacking corners, using the high level of competition to test herself under pressure. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='779082' first='Jennavecia' last='Soto'], an outside hitter and defensive specialist from Orange County School of Computer Science, came into her first SoCal UpNext Showcase with a clear focus on becoming more consistent in her swings and sharper with her defensive reads. She pushed herself to go for every ball and play without hesitation, all while embracing the opportunity to test her game against top SoCal competition. “This being my first showcase, I want to show my talent and how hungry I am as a volleyball player,” she shared, reflecting her drive to prove herself and learn from the athletes around her. With a personal goal of being the loudest on the court and keeping energy high for her teammates, JJ also hopes coaches and players remember her as someone who not only gave her all but also brought a sisterhood spirit to every team she joined. I've seen JJ put in the work, and I'm excited to see how far her potential takes her. ~ 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" />   Throughout August, as tryouts, preseason training, and early matches unfold, high school players enter a critical stretch of growth, leadership, and visibility. 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The SoCal UpNext Showcase at Prime Volleyball Club in Rancho Santa Margarita was all about building a foundation. For the Class of 2032 athletes, it wasn't just their first chance to step onto a showcase court, it was an opportunity to begin shaping who they want to be as players and teammates in the years ahead.