Social Media Stars of the Week: New Year, New Names to Watch

In today's recruiting environment, social media has become an extension of the evaluation process. It is not just about a big swing or a clean dig. It is about how an athlete chooses to present her game, what moments she values, and whether her highlights reflect growth, consistency, and competitive purpose.   At PrepDigCA, we pay attention to the story behind the post. Why this clip, why now, and what it says about an athlete's approach to her development. Social media does not replace live evaluation, but when used intentionally, it can reinforce what college coaches are already looking for.   This week's Social Media Stars of the Week feature athletes who are using visibility the right way. Each player shared insight into her game, her motivation, and what she wants coaches to understand beyond the screen. These are athletes who are building their recruiting journeys with discipline, self-awareness, and pride in the process.   Keep tagging <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepDigCA.</a> We are watching, and so are college coaches.      [player_tooltip player_id='725912' first='Nalani' last='Catlin']: Social Media Star of the Week   💡 Game You're Proud Of   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "The part of my game that I'm most proud of right now is how far I have come with my hitting and the opportunity that I have had to play different positions and become more versatile on the court. In addition to practicing with top-notch coaches, I work out in the weight room on my “off” days to condition with Roy Casiano @casianoroy. Having discipline and staying consistent has helped me improve my game physically and mentally. Being surrounded by a team that makes me better and people who look out for me has been key to my improvement, and those are all things that I'm so proud of." </blockquote>   📲 Why This Post Mattered   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "Being featured on PrepDig CA means a lot to me! PrepDig CA is so much more than an exposure platform. It is a teaching tool and a resource that I personally learn from. The articles are exciting to read, and it is always fun to see people from your class that are absolutely killing it! Not only do I read about people like Yemaya, Sophia-Rose (SR), and [player_tooltip player_id='526557' first='Sydney' last='Rincon'], I have had opportunities to train with them, which makes it that much sweeter. It's cool to meet people that PrepDig CA writes about!!! It doesn't matter if they are different positions or different classes, they all have takeaways. All of them are doing something right, and it is nice to have information like that at your fingertips. Coach Michelle is amazing and mentors so many without even knowing it, including myself. So anytime I see a message from her, or she responds to me, provides feedback, or reposts a reel, I feel so special." </blockquote>   🧠 What Coaches Should Know   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "I want college coaches to know that my work ethic and discipline is unmatched. I think that I have realized early that it takes the extra to get to where YOU want to be. My positive attitude towards not only the game of volleyball but everything that comes with it is contagious, and I try to always be uplifting in every circumstance." </blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='725912' first='Nalani' last='Catlin']   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR0aj3vkgjk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247       [player_tooltip player_id='734068' first='Fern' last='Udell']: Social Media Star of the Week   💡 Game You're Proud Of   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "The part of my game I'm most proud of is my attacking skills. I feel like I work hard on my all-around ability, but my attacking stands out." </blockquote>   📲 Why This Post Mattered   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "Being featured on PrepDig has made a huge impact on my recruiting journey. It has helped me not only be seen by the college coaches that read the articles, but other players too." </blockquote>   🧠 What Coaches Should Know   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "I want coaches to know that I am a hard worker on and off the court and am committed and determined to get better as a player and as a teammate all the time. I also am very active in my church in my children's ministry, and my faith is very important to me." </blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='734068' first='Fern' last='Udell']   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQpa0QZkbgg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='901124' first='Hailey' last='Lansang']: Social Media Star of the Week   💡 Game You're Proud Of   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "I'm most proud of my communication and being very strong at reading the opposing team's hitters well." </blockquote>   📲 Why This Post Mattered   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "My visibility on social media has helped me in my recruiting journey because since PrepDig CA has featured me, multiple coaches have followed my social media and now can see what I am capable of. My motivation and intent for creating the post was for college coaches to see my best highlights and my ability to perform." </blockquote>   🧠 What Coaches Should Know   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "Something I want college coaches to know about me is that I enjoy seeing the people around me succeed. It not only makes me proud, but it pushes me to be the best person and player I can be." </blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='901124' first='Hailey' last='Lansang']   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSIsRMCEeXQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='569579' first='Cayden' last='Hobrecker']: Social Media Star of the Week   💡 Game You're Proud Of   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "I believe the skill that makes me stand out most on the court, along with the typical aspects of being a setter and my defense, is my ability to support my teammates in all aspects of the game. Whether they are playing their best or having an off day, I feel like it's my job to convince them that they deserve to be on the court and that I fully trust them. Especially with my hitters, I work hard to build a connection with them so they know I trust them enough to deliver them the ball even when the stakes are high. My ability to instill confidence in my teammates comes from countless hours of extra reps and learning to look to each other for support during tough times rather than resorting to anger. By building these connections, we are able to work as a united team to reach our common goal of succeeding." </blockquote>   📲 Why This Post Mattered   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "When I was first featured on PrepDig, I felt a sense of accomplishment that my hard work was finally getting noticed. All the countless hours spent working with coaches and teammates one-on-one were already showing through in my play, but it's motivating to know that it also wasn't being overlooked on a wider scale. PrepDig provides a platform for athletes like me to get attention from not only local coaches and other athletes, but also coaches across the country, which is crucial in finding a school that best fits all aspects of what I'm looking for." </blockquote>   🧠 What Coaches Should Know   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> "I want college coaches to know that as much as I value consistency and leadership in volleyball, I also value those traits and hard work in every area of my life. School has always been my top priority, and I often valued it as a visual scale of my success, but volleyball has taught me that that's not always the case. Through playing volleyball and being on a team, I have learned that although success is the ultimate goal, not succeeding doesn't necessarily mean you failed, but rather that you haven't reached the end of the path yet. Success will come, but sometimes failure is what allows you to get there, and some of the lessons I've learned from failing are the most profound ones I value in my life. Now, instead of viewing school solely on a numerical scale, I value the lessons I learn that I will continue to use throughout my life." </blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='569579' first='Cayden' last='Hobrecker']   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSQoV0GjlSv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   ~ 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_a35f91.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-931071" /></figure>   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

In today's recruiting environment, social media has become an extension of the evaluation process. It is not just about a big swing or a clean dig. It is about how an athlete chooses to present her game, what moments she values, and whether her highlights reflect growth, consistency, and competitive purpose.