Six Freshmen To Watch In January

January is often the first real checkpoint of the club season. Freshmen are settling into faster tempos, tougher competition, and higher expectations, and the ones who stand out are rarely doing so because of flash alone. The athletes below separated themselves through composure, curiosity, consistency, and an understanding of how their role impacts the team. These six freshmen showed early signs of coachability and intent, and they are worth keeping on the radar as the season unfolds.    [player_tooltip player_id='917179' first='Indie' last='Heimark']'s game is built on awareness and reliability. She describes her strongest skill as her ability to read the game and stay consistent under pressure, noting that she can anticipate, make real-time adjustments, and remain dependable in high-pressure moments. That calm shows up in her approach to development as well. She is actively working on transitioning off the net and building a stronger, more consistent approach, focusing on agility and strength training outside the gym while building setter connections in practice. Her goal is clear and coach-driven, to become a player trusted in any rotation because of her consistency and decision-making. Off the court, Indie's love for learning carries into volleyball, where she enjoys expanding her knowledge of different positions and plays to continue growing her game.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='885082' first='K'Lei' last='Noah'] brings presence and personality to the court. She points to her blocking and attacking as her strongest skills, emphasizing the energy they create for her team. That spark is a defining part of her identity. K'Lei plays six rotations and is focused on improving her back-row attacks and defense to round out her game. Her goals for the season include becoming a consistent passer, hitter, and blocker while helping her team earn a bid to Nationals. What stands out most is how intentional she is about team connection. She prides herself on being the spark, keeping morale high, hyping teammates after big swings, and helping the group reset after tough rallies, all while competing hard.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='888557' first='Ahvah' last='Florance-Littles'] leads with volleyball IQ and composure. She identifies her strongest skill as her IQ, paired with her ability to stay calm while remaining competitive. As a setter, she is focused on squaring to the target every time, making sure her feet get there quickly so she can square early and deliver consistent tempo. Her season goal reflects a team-first mindset, to be as valuable as possible to the team's future success. Away from the court, Ahvah enjoys reading and meeting new people, traits that align well with her calm, observant presence on the floor.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='888814' first='Kylie' last='Sherrill'] brings grit and persistence to the setter position. She highlighted defense and the setter dump as strengths she continues to lean into while taking private lessons to sharpen her skills. Her goals are straightforward and process-oriented, to grow, get better, compete against strong opponents, and have fun doing it. What coaches will notice quickly is her mindset. Kylie summed herself up simply and honestly, she never quits, a trait that shows up in long rallies, tough stretches, and her willingness to stay engaged point after point.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='879038' first='Camryn' last='Stillwell'] plays with speed and intention. She describes her strongest skills as physical speed and quick decision-making, both of which consistently show up in game situations. She is currently focused on improving her dumping skills through consistent, regular practice. Her goals center on growth, improving both her skills and her volleyball IQ, while helping her team earn a bid to Nationals. What sets Camryn apart is her preparation. She studies opposing teams during warmups, paying attention to strengths and weaknesses so she can adjust sets and hitter positioning to give her team an advantage once the match begins.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='788683' first='Lainey' last='Wilderson'] is a vocal, high-energy presence in the middle. Communication comes naturally to her, and she embraces being loud and talkative as a way to lead. She is working to improve her defense and become more aggressive in the back row, while also focusing on developing into a more powerful, assertive attacker at the net. Lainey brings a steady positivity that helps teams weather momentum swings. She makes a point to remind teammates that one mistake does not define the match, keeping everyone grounded and confident through pressure moments.   ~ 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. 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January is often the first real checkpoint of the club season. Freshmen are settling into faster tempos, tougher competition, and higher expectations, and the ones who stand out are rarely doing so because of flash alone. The athletes below separated themselves through composure, curiosity, consistency, and an understanding of how their role impacts the team. These six freshmen showed early signs of coachability and intent, and they are worth keeping on the radar as the season unfolds.