Open Elite Athletes Who Belonged in NorCal’s Toughest Division

The NorCal Winter Classic has officially wrapped, and the 18 Open Elite Division, the highest level of competition at the event, delivered exactly what college coaches expect when the oldest and most seasoned athletes share the court. This division is where experience shows up in decision-making, composure, and the ability to compete through long rallies, physical matchups, and high-pressure moments. Against veteran athletes who understand tempo, spacing, and match flow, there is very little margin for error. These five Open Elite athletes didn't just survive that environment, they competed with intention, identified meaningful areas for growth, and walked away with clear takeaways that will shape their development moving forward. This is what playing up, and playing well, looked like at NorCal.    [player_tooltip player_id='730255' first='London' last='Crawford'] left the NorCal Winter Classic proud of the tangible progress she saw in her game, particularly in moments she had been intentionally training. She showcased a bic she had been working on in practice, noting how her contact evolved from sailing long to making clean, confident swings when her teammates delivered quality passes and sets. She also executed a kill on a free ball play by hitting a quick “2” as an outside, getting around the block, and continued to show versatility while playing right side early this season with a crisp kill down the line. In serve receive, London identified a clear technical focus moving forward, keeping her shoulders forward to improve accuracy and reduce setter adjustments. Off the court, she is embracing responsibility and independence, recently starting a student worker job managing the shot clock and book at her high school basketball games. Her excitement was evident, especially after receiving her first paycheck, which she proudly framed.   London's next tournament is Power League 1 on February 7 at the San Mateo Convention Center.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='569610' first='Jorie' last='Eskes'] took pride in being a reliable presence in high-pressure moments throughout the weekend. She described herself as a clutch finisher, stepping up to end games or tie the score when it mattered most. That ability to embrace big moments stood out, and Jorie left the weekend with a simple but meaningful focus, continuing to build consistency and take even more confident actions on every play. Away from volleyball, she values time with family and friends and enjoys supporting her high school's athletic programs, a reflection of her connection to team culture beyond just her own match.   Jorie will be back in action at NCVA League 1 on February 7.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='934998' first='Avery' last='Fisher'] ran her offense with purpose at the NorCal Winter Classic, leading her team by pushing tempo, reading blocks, and creating smart matchups that kept opposing defenses guessing. She stayed composed under pressure and approached every point with a go-get-it mindset, keeping her hitters aggressive and confident in key moments. One of her favorite sequences came during a long rally where she dove into the score table to save a ball, then transitioned immediately to set a tight pass that resulted in a middle kill. Looking ahead, Avery is focused on setting more against the flow, increasing tempo by reading the block faster, holding the middle longer, and becoming more deceptive to open one-on-one scoring opportunities. Off the court, she recently signed a partnership with a global organization supporting environmental conservation and leadership, aligning her athletic discipline with her personal values.   Avery's next competition is League 1 on February 7.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='568081' first='Ava' last='Marie Smith'] felt confident in her overall performance at the NorCal Winter Classic, particularly as it marked just her second tournament of the season. She was proud of her ability to hit specific spots while serving and attacking, combining strategic shot selection with power. Defensively, she covered tips consistently, including her own blocks, and stayed engaged on every play. Coming out of the weekend, Ava is focusing on improving her blocking positioning and communicating earlier as plays develop. Off the court, she brings the same curiosity and discipline to her academics, currently pursuing her passion for learning French and celebrating the milestone of reading a French novel.   Ava will compete next at Power League 1 on February 7.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='750787' first='Avery' last='Dedekian'] ran a composed and high-energy offense as the starting setter in a 5–1 system throughout the NorCal Winter Classic. She consistently pushed a fast tempo to keep hitters ahead of the block, extended rallies with key digs, and led vocally by calling matchups, directing traffic, and maintaining energy during tight moments. Her leadership showed in both her communication and her ability to stay composed while competing in the Gold Division, where she finished the weekend with 12 aces. Following coaching feedback, Avery is focused on delivering consistent tempo to every hitter, involving her middles more effectively, and reversing the flow of the offense to disrupt defenses. She also plans to sharpen her blocking with more disciplined footwork and positioning. Off the court, Avery has a strong appreciation for 80s pop culture and a deep passion for aviation, with aspirations of becoming a pilot. She draws clear parallels between flying and volleyball, noting the shared demands of focus, discipline, and confidence.   Avery's next tournament is the NIT Battle to Bartle in Kansas City from February 14 to 16.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   🔥 Players 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.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility matters.   🎯 College Coaches Tag these athletes in University Athlete and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We continue tracking their growth and impact through Recruitable Credentials, the indicators coaches trust. Follow their progress with us and keep these prospects on your radar.   🙏 Parents & Supporters Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this work possible. Help a player get discovered — share this article and tag @PrepDigCA.   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> Access exclusive rankings, deeper analysis, and the full Prospect Index to follow every athlete's journey.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">📌 In Case You Missed It</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here are a few recent stories gaining traction across California.</a></h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/image_863970.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-936521" /></figure>   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

The NorCal Winter Classic has officially wrapped, and the 18 Open Elite Division, the highest level of competition at the event, delivered exactly what college coaches expect when the oldest and most seasoned athletes share the court. This division is where experience shows up in decision-making, composure, and the ability to compete through long rallies, physical matchups, and high-pressure moments. Against veteran athletes who understand tempo, spacing, and match flow, there is very little margin for error. These five Open Elite athletes didn't just survive that environment, they competed with intention, identified meaningful areas for growth, and walked away with clear takeaways that will shape their development moving forward. This is what playing up, and playing well, looked like at NorCal.