These Upperclassmen Are Saying the Right Things

<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>   At the upperclassmen level, what separates recruits is not just physical ability. It is how athletes understand their game, respond to pressure, and take responsibility for their development. The athletes featured here were asked what they do well, where they need to improve, and what they are working toward this season. Their answers reflect more than confidence. They show self-awareness, coachability, and an ability to think beyond the next point.   For college coaches recruiting the 2026 and 2027 classes, these athlete-led evaluations offer a clear look into mindset, decision-making, and growth habits. These are players who know their role, understand what wins matches, and are learning how to articulate their value within a team environment. That matters. Not because it sounds good, but because it translates.    [player_tooltip player_id='793674' first='Ema-Lee' last='Burke'] identifies her defensive presence as a combination of scrappiness, calmness, and communication, particularly in fast-paced, high-pressure moments. She takes pride in staying stoic while being vocal, helping her team stay organized and in control. Her current focus is consistency, which she is intentionally building through coachability, repetition, and full-effort reps. Her goals are clear and balanced, to improve, compete, win, and earn recruitment opportunities. Off the court, Ema-Lee brings a sense of empathy and emotional awareness that translates into strong team chemistry, along with an adventurous personality that reflects confidence and curiosity.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='879904' first='Faith' last='Stambaugh'] highlights her ability to handle mistakes as a defining strength, emphasizing her readiness to reset quickly and respond with purpose. As a middle, she is currently focused on staying open to the setter and engaging her hips more effectively to improve her offensive efficiency. Her long-term goal is to commit to a college where she can continue both her academic and athletic career. Faith's discipline extends beyond the volleyball court, as she runs marathons for fun, a detail that speaks to her mental toughness, endurance, and self-driven mindset.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='889615' first='Riley' last='Adams'] describes herself as a relentless defender, standing out through her speed, reactivity, and refusal to give up on plays. While defense is her strength, she is proactively addressing serving consistency by arriving early to practice for extra reps and preparation before the gym fills. Her goals are both team-oriented and personal, qualifying for nationals while working toward a college commitment by season's end. Riley also cross-trains as a varsity swimmer, a choice that supports her conditioning, discipline, and competitive versatility.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='878825' first='Katelyn' last='Hahn'] brings value through consistency and communication, noting her reliable serve and constant on-court talk as key parts of her game. She is currently refining her defensive positioning, with a specific focus on staying disciplined along the line and transitioning correctly. Katelyn's goal this season is relationship-building with college coaches, showing an understanding that recruiting is about trust and connection as much as performance. Her positive presence, both on and off the court, reinforces her role as a steady and uplifting teammate.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='806134' first='Kendall' last='Antell'] emphasizes communication, energy, and coachability as her strongest contributions. She prides herself on being loud, encouraging, and fully engaged in supporting her teammates. Her growth focus centers on patience, particularly learning to give herself grace after mistakes while maintaining confidence. Kendall's season goal is to deepen her belief in her abilities and understand the value she brings to a team environment. Her personality adds to her approachability, including an unexpected but enthusiastic passion for football that reflects her competitive spirit.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='885554' first='Leilani' last='Alvarado']'s evaluation centers on volleyball IQ and reliability. She reads the game well, anticipates plays, and makes composed decisions that keep her team organized. As a six-rotation outside hitter, she values being dependable in serve receive, defense, and offense, especially in pressure moments. Her current development focus is blocking, where she is working on reading hitters, closing faster, and improving timing. Leilani's recruiting mindset is intentional and mature, choosing to stay under the radar and let her work ethic and performance speak for itself.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='882608' first='Kaitlyn' last='Rain'] describes herself as a fearless and dependable setter, committed to pursuing every ball and giving her hitters the best opportunity to stay aggressive. She is actively sharpening her decision-making by learning to read the block and defense faster, using film study, game-like drills, and consistent reps with all hitters. Her goal is to grow as both a player and leader while earning the attention of college coaches and working toward a verbal offer. Kaitlyn's journey overcoming selective mutism adds depth to her leadership, showing resilience, mental strength, and the power of finding her voice through the game.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='878992' first='Sidney' last='Buchanan'] identifies communication and leadership as the foundation of her game, valuing her ability to guide teammates and manage the flow of play. She is focused on improving consistency, understanding that reliability is essential at the setter position. Her season goal is broad but intentional, continuing to grow in all areas of the game and as a teammate. Off the court, Sidney's love for baking offers a glimpse into her personality, balancing competitiveness with creativity and care.   ~ 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 and @PrepDigArizona.   🚀 <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/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here are a few recent stories gaining traction across Arizona.</a></h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/image_f62ae4.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-940522" /></figure>   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

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