Meet Five DS/Libero Freshmen Taking Ownership of the Backcourt

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This article is made possible by PrepDig subscribers. Thank you! ~ You can join with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense often shows itself in moments that do not make highlight reels, but it is where matches are stabilized and momentum is protected. The five DS/Libero athletes below shared, in their own words, what they believe defines their game right now, what they are working to improve, and what they want this club season to be about. Their answers reflect an early understanding of effort, responsibility, and the value of doing the work that helps teams succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878927"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695c83c5f0037"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isabella says her strongest skills are her serve receive and quickness, adding that she is able to read the court well. She is currently working on hitting from the back row and is taking private lessons to help with her approach. Her team goal for the club season is to get to Nationals, while personally she wants to be more vocal on the court, step into a leadership role, and develop more of an attacking mindset from the back row. Off the court, Isabella is a competitive swimmer who has been swimming for six years, an experience she feels brings something different to her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["914288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695c83c5f015c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jameson identifies passing and digging as her strongest skills, saying she plays for the team and does the thankless work so her team can succeed, and that she loves defense. She is currently focused on serving to zones, intentionally practicing footwork, arm swing, and placement in both practice and free time so she can serve to any zone when asked. Her goal for the season is to qualify for Junior Nationals and improve her all-around game. She also notes that her attitude stands out, sharing that she plays for the love of volleyball and is always hyping up her teammates and helping keep them in the right mindset, especially in difficult moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894451"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695c83c5f01db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Briley says her strengths are defense and communication, explaining that she helps her teammates by communicating and going for everything. She is currently working on her serve and serve receive by getting as many reps as possible. Her goal for the season is gaining more court experience. She also shared that her team last year took first place in three qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["912515"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695c83c5f0238"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mya describes her strongest skill as defense and her ability to read the ball well. She is working to improve her serve receive and is attending private lessons to focus on that area. Her goal for the club season is to bring positive energy to the court. Off the court, Mya says she is very outgoing and super easy to make new friends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["918169"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695c83c5f028a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabriela says her strongest skill is defense, specifically getting the ball that no one thinks she can get. She is currently working on receive, staying smooth, and reading the game. Her goal for the club season is simple: work hard and get better. She also notes that she knows how to play any position on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">I<strong>f You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🔥 <strong>Players</strong><br>Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to take the next step? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>📣 <strong>Club Coaches &amp; Directors</strong><br>Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them. 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