UpNext Floor Generals: Setters of the 2031 Class

At the SoCal UpNext Showcase, the setters in the Class of 2031 began stepping into one of the most important roles on the court: leading an offense. For this group, the focus was not on being perfect but on learning how to connect with teammates, communicate clearly, and take ownership of the game's flow. What stood out most was their voice in answering questions, thoughtful, confident, and eager to grow. Whether they spoke about improving a skill, setting a season goal, or how they want to be remembered, these athletes showed that they are already learning to see the game through a leader's perspective. College coaches will want to keep an early eye on this class of floor generals because their confidence and court presence are just beginning to take shape.    [player_tooltip player_id='852044' first='Natalia' last='Agustin'], a setter and opposite from St. Columban Catholic School, showed early promise at her first showcase. She kept plays alive with her hustle and ability to extend rallies, proving she could make difficult saves and give her hitters opportunities to score. Natalia shared that she had been focused on both setting and hitting, and the showcase gave her the chance to learn how to advocate for herself with teammates and coaches.   She expressed a clear goal of becoming more communicative on the court, saying she wanted “to be more loud in court to help encourage my team more.” Natalia also highlighted her character, describing herself as “100% coachable and respectful,” traits that stood out in her play. A left-hander who recently discovered she is ambidextrous through volleyball, she brought a unique versatility to her position and showed the kind of adaptability that will continue to serve her well. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='756619' first='Sahej' last='Ahluwalia'], a setter and right-side from Vista Verde, brought balance and composure to the SoCal UpNext Showcase. She spoke about her focus on improving setter defense, explaining that one of her coaches taught her to be “patient and calculated yet nimble like a spider,” and she worked to apply that mindset in live play. The event gave her the opportunity to compete alongside new teammates, learn from different coaches, and add layers to her offensive creativity.   Her goal going into the season was to develop into a more deceptive and versatile setter, building on her experience of playing both front and back row. Sahej described herself as “a competitive and calm leader” who cheers on her teammates, and that presence came through in her play. Off the court she revealed a fun side, sharing that she sings, plays multiple instruments, and proudly supports her hometown Kansas City Chiefs. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='778750' first='Emmie' last='Cole'], a setter from St. Mary Magdalen School, showed both hustle and precision at the SoCal UpNext Showcase. She explained that she had been working on making her sets more accurate and consistent, especially when the pass was off-target, saying she wanted to “hustle to the ball, square up and put it in the perfect spot for my hitters to make a play.” Playing alongside athletes from different schools gave her the chance to test her decision-making with a variety of hitters and challenge herself to make smarter choices on the fly.   She described herself as a setter who is “always positive, hustles for every ball, makes smart plays and never gives up,” and that energy was evident in how she carried herself throughout the event. Her tall, lean frame gave her natural strength in her hands, and once she consistently engages her legs, her setting will become even more dynamic. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='778837' first='Jessi' last='Duran'], a setter from Porter Ranch Community School, showed strong awareness and consistency at the SoCal UpNext Showcase. She explained that she had been focused on her passing as much as her setting, working to improve her serve receive and out-of-rotation touches. Competing alongside new teammates gave her the chance to test her skills in a faster environment while also reconnecting with friends.   Her goal was to learn how to run a smooth offense and build confidence in both her hitters and her liberos, noting that she wanted them to trust she could “get to any pass.” Jessi emphasized that she hoped coaches and players would remember her as both a dependable teammate and a good friend. She also brought her personality to the event, sharing that she has three older siblings and three dogs. With her sharp ball awareness and ability to keep her eyes locked in on the ball, she consistently put herself in position to make clean plays. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     ZaAliyah Feltus, a setter and middle blocker from Delta Academy, showed versatility and leadership at the SoCal UpNext Showcase. She shared that she had been focused on increasing her overall volleyball IQ so she could become “a complete player that can get in any position on the court.” The showcase offered her the chance to learn more about what it takes to reach the next level and gave her valuable insight into the expectations of a future college athlete.   Her goals reflected both focus and ambition as she aimed to keep improving, stay consistent, and “make a name for myself.” ZaAliyah described herself as confident, competitive, and reliable, noting that she wanted coaches to know they could trust her to play any position at any time. Her natural leadership stood out, not only in the way she handled the ball but also in how she communicated and connected with those around her, setting a strong tone on the floor. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='526627' first='Autumn' last='Francois'], a libero from Margarita Middle School, stood out at the SoCal UpNext Showcase with her focus and drive. She explained that she had been working hard on serve receive in order to “give the setter perfect balls so we can run our offense more smoothly,” and she aimed to show consistency and confidence under pressure. Competing against strong players her age gave her the opportunity to push herself beyond her comfort zone while gaining valuable experience.   Her season goal is to grow into a reliable player her teammates could trust in any situation, and she expressed that she wanted coaches to remember not only her physical skills but also her ability to perform mentally in tough moments. Autumn is athletic and driven, and she has already built a reputation for her competitiveness and leadership on her social platforms. This is only the beginning for Autumn. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='876987' first='Wanli' last='Sakugawa'], a setter from Richardson Middle School, approached the SoCal UpNext Showcase with a serious, no-nonsense focus. She explained that she had been working on her attitude and communication, aiming to better connect with teammates, and she was eager to meet new players and coaches in a competitive setting.   Her goal was to become a more aggressive setter, finding ways to score and adapting to different hitters. That mindset matched her on-court presence, where she showed a quick left-handed arm swing and the ability to adjust even off a choppy beach-like approach. Wanli described herself as someone who always looked to score while leading with confidence, qualities that made her stand out as a young setter with upside. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='779971' first='Zoe' last='Tharp'], a setter from Lindero Canyon Middle School, impressed at the SoCal UpNext Showcase with her communication and court presence. She shared that her focus had been on putting her hitters in the best possible position to succeed, explaining that she wanted to be “very verbal and build a deeper connection with my hitters.” Playing alongside athletes from different schools challenged her to adapt quickly and strengthened her ability to connect with new teammates.   Her personal goal was to push herself to be the best she could be and to step into new situations with confidence. Zoe wanted coaches to remember her “attitude, energy, and commitment,” and that mindset matched what she showed on the floor. With a solid platform, sharp footwork, and a serious approach to attacking the ball, she already looked the part of a volleyball player. A former gymnast, she has the athletic base and focus that will help her continue to develop into a strong setter. I can't wait to watch her journey. ~ 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" />   September high school volleyball is in full swing, with players finding their rhythm as two of the nation's premier events approach. The Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas and the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona provide stages for athletes 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 SoCal UpNext Showcase, the setters in the Class of 2031 began stepping into one of the most important roles on the court: leading an offense. For this group, the focus was not on being perfect but on learning how to connect with teammates, communicate clearly, and take ownership of the game's flow. What stood out most was their voice in answering questions, thoughtful, confident, and eager to grow. Whether they spoke about improving a skill, setting a season goal, or how they want to be remembered, these athletes showed that they are already learning to see the game through a leader's perspective. College coaches will want to keep an early eye on this class of floor generals because their confidence and court presence are just beginning to take shape.