Sophomores Who Own the Backcourt

At the Sophomore ID Camp, a select group of athletes showed what it means to be a true libero. These are not just players who wear the jersey for a rotation or two. They are full-time defensive anchors who command serve receive, communicate with confidence, and lay it all out on the floor to extend rallies.   Being a libero is about more than digging hard-driven balls. It's about consistency, leadership, and the ability to read and react before the play even unfolds. These sophomores aren't just specialists, they are game-changers who bring energy, trust, and next-level vision to every match.   Liberos shared who they are on the court, how they lead under pressure, and what they're working to build as they grow into their role. College coaches, meet the future of your backcourt.    🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? I stay mentally strong by focusing on the next play. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, I ask myself what happened and how I'll fix it. That reset mindset keeps me confident and locked in.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? As a libero, my role is to control serve receive, defend against tough attacks, and always chase down the ball with a never-give-up attitude. I pride myself on being the loudest voice on the court, guiding my team and keeping every play alive with energy and communication.   💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? I've been working on using my hands more, especially adding set dumps as a libero. It's something that adds another layer to my game and keeps opponents on their toes.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? They'd say I'm reliable, disciplined, and positive. I bring a strong work ethic and a friendly attitude to everything I do, and I'm always eager to learn and improve.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I recently moved to San Diego and I'm learning how to surf!   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? I stay calm by focusing on my breathing. Taking a moment to reset helps me stay grounded and ready for whatever comes next.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? As a libero, my job is to lead and “control traffic” on the court. That means I'm the loudest voice out there, constantly communicating and hyping up my teammates to keep the energy high and the team locked in.   💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? I've been focused on sharpening my defensive skills to make sure I can cover more ground and make tougher plays. It's all about being more effective and dependable in high-stakes moments.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? They'd describe me as energetic and always positive. I show up ready to play, and I bring excitement and support to every practice and game.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I've been playing club volleyball for six years, and I've always played libero. It's the position I love most.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? I stay present. At SCVA championships, I served on match point and relied on a specific breathing routine: two deep inhales and one exhale. I also follow a consistent serve routine, bouncing the ball twice and spinning it in my hands. When I make a mistake, I clap to release negative energy and quickly reset my focus.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? As a libero, I lead the back row by being reliable and consistent, which helps ground our defense. I lead by example, chasing balls off the court, bettering every touch, and staying engaged with my teammates. If I set a big and the hit results in an error, I'll check in and ask how they want the next ball, helping them reset and focus forward.   💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? I've been working on my split-step timing and explosive first step, especially for short serves. As the team leader in serve receive passer rating heading into nationals, my coach emphasized how critical my role is in this area, and I've taken that seriously.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? On the court, I'm serious and intense. Off the court, I'm known as one of the funniest people on the team. My witty, sarcastic humor surprises new teammates and helps us bond. That balance between focus and fun is a big part of our team's chemistry.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I love outdoor activities like wakeboarding, boating, snorkeling, hiking, and snowboarding. Nature helps me recharge, and when I return to the court, I feel grounded and ready to compete. Being at a college with access to the outdoors would help me stay balanced and at my best.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? When things get intense, I focus on being fully present. I remind myself why I love this game and trust all the work I've put in. I like high-pressure moments because they sharpen my competitive edge. I'll study the other team and look for patterns to get an advantage. That mindset keeps me focused, confident, and ready to lead through the toughest rallies.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? As a libero, my main role is to play relentless defense and keep the ball off the floor. I take pride in being a reliable presence who keeps plays alive so my teammates can stay focused on their roles. Whether it's serve receive, coverage, or back row defense, I'm committed to being in the right place at the right time. I bring calm, steady energy and clear communication to every play. More than anything, I want to lift the team and do whatever it takes to help us succeed.     💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? This season I've been dialing in my setting, especially during out-of-system plays. At the level we're playing now, rallies are more unpredictable, and I find myself setting more often. I want to be someone my hitters can count on to put them in a position to score, no matter what the play looks like.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? They'd describe me as humble, caring, and deeply committed. I always put the team first and go out of my way to lift others up. I'm someone who leads with support and kindness, and I try to create the kind of culture where everyone feels respected, valued, and motivated.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I played in the 2023 Pan-Armenian Volleyball Games in Armenia, which are held every four years as part of the Armenian Olympics. I was honored to be the youngest player on the court at just 13 years old, competing against athletes who were 21 and older. Representing my culture on that international stage shaped me in powerful ways, both as a player and as a person.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247       🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? I sing a song in my head and tell myself to focus only on the next point. I let go of what just happened and lock in on what's coming. That reset helps me stay present and positive, no matter the situation.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? As a libero, I lead by example and motivate my teammates to be the best they can be. I love bringing hype and energy, both on and off the court, and I take pride in being the spark that lifts everyone up.   💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? I've been focused on improving my out-of-system setting with my hands. I want to master this skill so I can be even more reliable when plays break down and give my hitters the best chance to score.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? They'd describe me as positive, supportive, and a role model. My teammates know they can trust me—on the court to make plays, and off the court to have their back. I'm all about building that deep sense of trust and connection.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I used to be a competitive gymnast!   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? I focus on staying positive and mentally strong. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, I think about what I can do right. I stay composed by trusting my skills and believing in my teammates. Confidence is key for me, not just in myself, but in everyone on the court.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? I would describe my role on the court as a leader. I bring energy, composure, and a strong sense of competitiveness to every game. I lead through my work ethic, positive attitude, and ability to stay calm under pressure. One of the most important ways I elevate others is through constant communication. Whether it's lifting someone up when they're down or celebrating their success, I make sure my teammates know I've got their back. When everyone feels supported, the whole team performs better.   💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? This season, I've been focused on taking more space in serve receive and covering more of the court. I've always had that instinct to go for everything, but I've realized that what sets great liberos apart is their consistency and control. Since working on these adjustments, I've noticed a big improvement in my overall game.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? They'd say I'm supportive, dependable, and a positive presence. I make a strong effort to be someone people can rely on, whether they need advice or just someone to listen. I bring a strong sense of accountability to our team. I hold myself to a high standard and encourage that same mindset in others through my example.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I've been playing volleyball since 7th grade, and I also play beach volleyball. Playing both has made me quicker and helped me react to the ball faster, which has really helped round out my game.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     🧠 In high-pressure moments, what's your mindset and how do you stay composed? When the game tightens or momentum shifts, I like to reset the energy by giving high fives and reconnecting with my teammates. I come from a Junior Olympic gymnastics background, where I trained over 20 hours a week and learned how to block out distractions. That experience taught me how to stay mentally tough and locked in. Now in volleyball, I channel that focus into the next ball and keep a positive mindset to help win the point.   💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you? As captain of the defense, my role is twofold. I need to execute defensive skills with efficiency and consistency, like clean passing, covering hitters, and reading the play before it unfolds. But just as important is my energy. I celebrate my teammates with passion, because even if I'm not touching the ball, I know my energy can lift the entire team.   💪🏽 What's something specific you've been working to add to your game this season, and why? This season, I've been working on incorporating hand setting into match play whenever possible. Improving my tempo and placement gives our hitters more chances to score. I've also been training twice a week with Blacklabel Strength to improve my fitness and conditioning so I can bring high performance and energy from start to finish.   🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture? I'm energetic, quick to laugh, and extremely extroverted. Team chemistry is everything, and I love being a connector. Whether we're peppering in the hallway at a tournament or leading blind karaoke during team bonding, I'm someone who brings people together. My can-do attitude and strong work ethic help create a culture of fun, trust, and grit.   💥 What's a fun fact about you that you'd want college coaches to know? I love country music and line dancing, and I hope to attend a college in the South where that's just part of everyday life!   ~ 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. It's the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey.   🔥 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 Sophomore ID Camp, a select group of athletes showed what it means to be a true libero. These are not just players who wear the jersey for a rotation or two. They are full-time defensive anchors who command serve receive, communicate with confidence, and lay it all out on the floor to extend rallies.