Six Athletes Showing College Ready Mindset at State Finals

The CIF State Championships revealed more than technical skill. They showed which athletes can think the game, manage pressure, and respond with maturity when the moment grows intense. For college coaches, these traits matter just as much as physical tools. The athletes below shared insight into how they process competition, how they lead, and what they learned on the biggest stage of their season. Their reflections highlight growth, composure, and the competitive habits that translate to the next level.    [player_tooltip player_id='524351' first='Mya' last='Taylor'] (2028) — Outside, Rightside, DS | Woodcreek | SynergyForce   Mya identifies her hitting as her strongest skill and credits her ability to jump high as the shortest hitter on her team. She views her consistency as something that elevates the offense and gives her team a reliable scoring option. She learned to stay mentally strong during the State run and focused on giving whatever energy her teammates needed in difficult moments.   She carries the memory of falling short at sections, then resetting and winning NorCals, which showed her how growth happens through persistence. Off the court she is a musician who plays multiple string instruments, sings, and performs gigs. She believes the precision and discipline required in music shows up in her volleyball habits.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='909498' first='Lilliana' last='Saldivar'] (2026, graduating early) — OH | Woodcreek | [program_tooltip program_id='580830' first='Synergy' last='Force']   Lilliana considers leadership her strongest skill and focuses on lifting her team when energy dips. The State experience taught her to stay present and value every opportunity to compete. She learned that a high level environment is a privilege and that leaving everything on the court is the standard.   Her defining moment came in the NorCal Championship when she delivered the match kill to win the third set. The emotion of securing a historic win for Woodcreek and celebrating with her teammates is something she will carry into her future. She shared that she has a titanium rod and three screws in her femur, something that adds to her resilience and determination.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='909508' first='Lia' last='Salvador'] (2026) — Libero | Hilmar | B2 Courts   Lia identifies communication and hustle as her biggest strengths. She uses her voice to guide hitters into smart decisions and brings momentum with effort plays. Her State experience reinforced the importance of confidence, focus, and discipline. It reminded her that success at a high level comes from trust in her training and belief in her abilities.   The moment she will remember is the celebration with her team after their win, which reinforced the value of unity and shared commitment. She has played every position on the court over nine years of volleyball, which strengthened her overall IQ and helped her understand the game from multiple perspectives.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='909502' first='Amber' last='Svidergol'] (2027) — Middle Blocker | Elsinore | 951 Elite   Amber views court awareness as her strongest tool. She focuses on reading defenses and choosing swings that give her team the best chance to score. The State experience exposed her to a level of intensity she had not seen before and helped her understand what she needs to adjust in her development. She values the opportunity her team had to represent Elsinore in its first appearance past round two.   Her standout moment is knowing her team made school history. She uses film study after every game to evaluate what worked and what needs improvement. She also looks for ways she can support her team more effectively in future matches.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='772640' first='Sophia' last='Cotter'] (2027) — Rightside | Harvard-Westlake | [program_tooltip program_id='429544' first='Sunshine' last='Volleyball Club']   Sophia identifies hitting as her strongest skill and strives to be a dependable scoring option. She focuses on adjusting her swings to the block and the opposing defense to stay efficient. Her State experience taught her how important the mental side of the game is and how composure influences outcomes. She also learned that trust in teammates matters, especially in long rallies and high pressure moments.   Her defining memory is her team's first five set match of the season during the State run. It showed her that preparation pays off and that staying calm helps shift momentum in difficult moments. She describes herself as highly competitive and someone who thrives in pressure situations.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='730197' first='Alyssa' last='Colston'] (2026) — OH | Hilmar | N/A   Alyssa considers her positive mentality and energy her strongest strengths. She learned that a team's belief and relationships can elevate performance, no matter how the regular season unfolded. The State environment taught her the value of working toward shared goals and staying mentally steady.   Her most meaningful moment came from a pregame locker room discussion focused on strategy, responsibility, and mindset. It taught her how visualization and mental clarity influence performance. Outside of volleyball she enjoys ceramics and uses it as a creative outlet that allows her to express herself.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <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 NorCal (11/29) and 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" />   🔥 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. 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The CIF State Championships revealed more than technical skill. They showed which athletes can think the game, manage pressure, and respond with maturity when the moment grows intense. For college coaches, these traits matter just as much as physical tools. The athletes below shared insight into how they process competition, how they lead, and what they learned on the biggest stage of their season. Their reflections highlight growth, composure, and the competitive habits that translate to the next level.