Setters Who Shaped Durango

At the Durango Fall Classic, setters emerged as the leaders every team depends on. They defined the game through decision-making, communication, and composure under pressure. These athletes highlighted what makes their position so critical: leadership, IQ, and the ability to connect teammates in the most intense moments. Their focus on both technical growth and mental toughness reveals the mindset that makes a setter invaluable to any program.    [player_tooltip player_id='765941' first='Sierra' last='Aswad'] described herself as a setter and leader who values composure and strategy. She has been focusing on decision making and connecting with her teammates in and out of system. Her goals include improving her setting to strengthen team unity in high-pressure moments.   “A goal I have set for myself and my team this season is to show our confidence and unity no matter the results,” Aswad said. “Whether we are up by 10 or losing by 10 I hope we show our perseverance in tough situations.” She sees her role as bringing positive energy that calms the court and helps her teammates feel confident in the game plan. Cathedral Catholic finished tied for 15th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='388088' first='Meaalofa' last='Tauaese'] identifies herself as a setter who runs the court with composure and vision. She has been working on the IQ and mental preparation aspects of the position so she can set balls in difficult situations and challenge herself to grow more dynamic.   “I want to be able to set balls others might not be able to set,” Tauaese said. She added that she loves being a great teammate and is proud of being considered a loyal friend. Her Samoan heritage and family culture are central to who she is, shaping the way she supports her team and carries herself with pride on and off the court. Etiwanda finished 43rd at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='542169' first='Paige' last='Bowyer'] is driven by competition and thrives in environments that require clear leadership. She has been developing her defense and mental preparation while sharpening her blocking and setting choices. For her, leadership means being steady whether she plays six rotations or three.   “The goals I have set for myself have been all about how my leadership can impact a team,” Bowyer explained. “No matter if I am playing all 6 rotations or only 3 I know I have an impact by helping my team succeed.” Her presence is marked by focus, an understanding of the game plan, and the ability to uplift teammates. She is fiery in her love for competition but balances it with composure in critical moments. Liberty finished 49th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='725424' first='Kayla' last='Yau'] identifies her game by creativity and versatility. She highlighted setting decisions, short serves, and defensive hustle as areas she is proud to bring to the court. Her training included jump setting, serving with speed and accuracy, and footwork drills to boost movement.   “My goal for our team is to win league,” Yau said. “My personal goal is to jump set consistently. I think that jump setting is a great way to run a fast and sneaky offense.” She also described her work in visualization and mental training, building confidence to take more risks such as setting against the flow or dumping to a spot. Off the court, her long history in student leadership shows up in her commitment to building community and being a strong teammate. South Pasadena finished 57th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='773808' first='Elizabeth' last='Lewis'] sees herself as a leader who is determined and resilient. She has been working on setting footwork, defense, and hitting while making volleyball IQ a priority as she grows. Her goals revolve around positivity, energy, and effort.   “My goals this season are to always cheer on my teammates and keep the team moving in a positive direction in every game,” Lewis said. “Giving each match 100 percent, 100 percent of the time no matter if we are winning or losing.” She described herself as someone who never gives up, who loves the game, and who leads with consistency. That balance of energy and determination is what she brings to her teammates. Liberty finished 49th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='886556' first='Luna' last='Eatherton'] defines herself as a setter with IQ, strong serving, and defensive range. She has been working on ball placement, jump float, and positioning to strengthen her decision making. Her goals include winning CIF and stepping into a leadership role where she takes command of the game.   “I am a leader on the court calling the shots,” Eatherton said. “I am bilingual and every Saturday for 11 years have been taking Polish. Over the summer I played with the Polish national team.” That combination of cultural experience and advanced technical work reflects her dedication to improvement and her ability to bring confidence and vision to her team. Huntington Beach finished tied for 31st at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='886566' first='Jayla' last='Jackson'] values consistency and trust as a setter. She emphasized defense, hustle, and the ability to cover scrappy plays while still delivering hittable balls. Her training has focused on making clean sets, especially in out-of-system situations, so her hitters can rely on her.   “I want to be the kind of setter my hitters can always trust,” Jackson explained. She set goals around improving consistency in every area while helping her team win league and continue their CIF streak. She also spoke about her personal drive: always seeking to get better through film, conditioning, and extra reps. Off the court, she described herself as someone who adds humor and balance, helping teams stay connected. 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The Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest tournaments in the country, highlighting programs and players who rose to the challenge. Next up is the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona, another premier stage where athletes will continue to showcase growth, leadership, and competitive drive. It is the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey as they compete in front of college coaches and elevate their game against top-tier competition.   🔥 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 Durango Fall Classic, setters emerged as the leaders every team depends on. They defined the game through decision-making, communication, and composure under pressure. These athletes highlighted what makes their position so critical: leadership, IQ, and the ability to connect teammates in the most intense moments. Their focus on both technical growth and mental toughness reveals the mindset that makes a setter invaluable to any program.