Setters Show Skill, Leadership, and Learning in Motion

As club season approaches, a group of promising setters are already distinguishing themselves through focus, communication, and consistency. At the UpNext Showcase, they adapted quickly to new teammates, learned new systems, and showed impressive poise managing tempo and timing on the fly. Off the court, they spoke about leadership, growth, and the importance of elevating everyone around them. Though still early in their volleyball journeys, their awareness and maturity already reflect a next-level mindset.    Emily is developing a strong balance of skill and composure. She's been focused on refining her setting tempo, location, and ability to manage people during play. At the showcase, she pushed herself to communicate clearly with hitters she had just met and to direct plays with confidence. “I've been working on being more vocal and communicating more,” she said. Her calm presence and team-first mentality help her handle every moment with purpose.   Emily is the kind of player who thrives on connection. She wants her teammates to trust her decisions and knows that leadership is as much about energy as it is execution. “I work hard, I am team first, and I will do what I can to help my team succeed,” she said.   Fun fact: Before volleyball, Emily earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do and competed in gymnastics, which shows in her discipline and balance. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247       Emma is focused on building confidence through repetition and game play. She's been developing her passing, serving, and movement so she can stay steady and composed in competition. “I'm working on being more confident, playing steady, and knowing what to do during games,” she said. At the showcase, she showed growth by running clean offense, staying positive through mistakes, and finding her rhythm with new teammates.   Her excitement for learning is contagious. “I'll run for every ball, cheer for my teammates, and stay positive even if I mess up,” she shared. Emma's mindset is exactly what coaches look for in young players, open, joyful, and always improving.   Fun fact: She has been playing volleyball for just over a year and enjoys both indoor and beach volleyball. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Hailey is sharpening her ability to disguise sets and create offensive options. She's been working on strength and timing so her hitters can attack with freedom. “I've been working on deception and strength in my setting,” she said. At the showcase, she used those skills to give her team variety, keeping defenses guessing while staying calm under pressure.   She understands that leadership goes beyond what happens between whistles. “How people view my character and personality is important to me,” she said. Hailey's even-keeled nature and thoughtful approach make her an ideal player to steady a team in high-intensity moments.   Fun fact: She has played violin for about ten years, which gives her a strong sense of rhythm and timing. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Jayla brings energy, athleticism, and communication to every court she steps on. She has been working on location and tempo so her hitters can attack confidently. “My goal this season is to get in really good shape so I can play fast and strong every time I'm on the court,” she said. The showcase gave her a chance to show that energy in every drill, maintaining effort and focus while keeping her teammates engaged.   Her presence is hard to miss. “I hope coaches remember that I'm one of the most athletic players on the court,” she said. Jayla's communication and enthusiasm elevate everyone around her.   Fun fact: She loves to dance and sometimes throws a front flip for fun. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Kaitlin is intentional in how she studies the game. She's been refining her jump setting and quick decision-making to keep defenders off balance. “I want the coaches and other players to remember me as the quick and aggressive setter who runs good offense,” she said. The showcase challenged her to lead confidently and apply feedback right away, which she embraced with focus and adaptability.   She takes pride in understanding every position and how each piece contributes to success. “Even though I'm a setter, I enjoy playing all positions because it helps me understand the game from all perspectives,” she shared. Kaitlin's awareness and curiosity are traits that will continue to shape her into a dependable floor leader.   Fun fact: She studies each position to understand the full court view. ~ 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 is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/image_cf4e03.png" alt="" class="wp-image-885470" style="width:125px;height:auto" /></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>!       <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <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" />   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_e42f4e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-894323" style="width:126px;height:auto" /></figure>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2025 Prep Dig Exposure Tour is officially LIVE!</a>   We're hitting 20+ cities across the country this winter to give athletes a platform to compete, get seen, and level up.   I'll personally be directing at Vegas (11/15), SoCal (11/23), NorCal (11/29), Arizona (12/14), and can't wait to welcome some of the region's top talent to the gym. Use Code: BamfordPD25   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   In October, the stakes only grow higher. High school teams are pushing through their final regular-season matches, sharpening every detail before league playoffs begin. For athletes, this is the time to compete with urgency, prove their growth, and leave no doubt heading into postseason play.   It's also the perfect month to experience volleyball at the next level. On October 29th, the USC Women's Volleyball team hosts the UCLA Bruins in a rivalry clash packed with the same fire and intensity athletes are chasing in their own seasons. Don't miss the chance to watch, learn, and be inspired as the game plays out on one of its biggest stages.   🔥 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

As club season approaches, a group of promising setters are already distinguishing themselves through focus, communication, and consistency. At the UpNext Showcase, they adapted quickly to new teammates, learned new systems, and showed impressive poise managing tempo and timing on the fly. Off the court, they spoke about leadership, growth, and the importance of elevating everyone around them. Though still early in their volleyball journeys, their awareness and maturity already reflect a next-level mindset.