2027 Seniors Continuing to Separate Themselves

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" id="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a>   As athletes enter their senior year, the conversation begins to change.   By this stage of the recruiting process, physical ability alone rarely creates separation. College coaches expect athleticism. What often distinguishes one prospect from another is how they process the game, respond to adversity, communicate with teammates, apply coaching, and continue evolving long after their strengths have been established.   As athletes prepared for the latest USAV GJNC Showcase, I asked this group of 2027 prospects to reflect on the parts of their game they take the most pride in, the adjustments they're making, the coaching that's influenced them this season, and what they hope college coaches notice when they step onto the court. Their responses revealed a class that understands separation isn't built through one great performance. It's earned through consistent growth, intentional habits, and a commitment to improving every part of their game.   The athletes featured below are continuing to separate themselves in different ways. Some are becoming stronger leaders. Others are sharpening their volleyball IQ, embracing new positions, refining technical details, or learning how to make a greater impact when matches become difficult. Together, they offer a look at a group of rising seniors preparing themselves for the next stage of their volleyball journey, one purposeful adjustment at a time.    Emily Booher has learned that great blocking starts long before an attacker leaves the floor. She takes pride in tracking the ball from the first pass, reading the setter's intentions, and anticipating where the attack is headed before committing to her block. That deliberate approach has helped her become a more effective teammate at the net, giving her pin hitters better support while continuing to expand her understanding of the game.   Booher evaluates herself before looking elsewhere for answers. When something isn't working, she first looks for adjustments she can make, then seeks her coaches' perspective to continue improving. That growth mindset has been especially important as she works toward closing her block more consistently, a skill she knows is still evolving. Combined with the positive energy she brings to every point, Booher is a player who values thoughtful improvement as much as immediate results.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Jada Barnes is knows that playing faster doesn't always require moving faster. This season, one of her biggest breakthroughs has come from simplifying her footwork, trusting her positioning, and allowing disciplined movement to replace unnecessary urgency. The result has been a calmer, more controlled presence in serve receive and defense, giving her the confidence to stay balanced against stronger attacks while continuing to improve her ball control.   That composure extends well beyond her defensive technique. Barnes wants teammates to trust that every ball will be pursued with maximum effort, but she also understands the importance of resetting mentally after mistakes. A deep breath, relaxed shoulders, and a clear focus on the next point help her evaluate both sides of the court before communicating solutions to her teammates. It's a mature approach that reflects a libero learning how to control the pace of the game instead of allowing the game to control her.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     For Riley Jenski, leadership begins with helping everyone else succeed. She takes tremendous pride in being the teammate others can turn to for encouragement, guidance, or simply a reassuring smile when emotions begin to rise. As a setter, she understands that her influence extends well beyond distributing the ball. Her responsibility is to manage the court, communicate with her hitters, and create confidence one conversation at a time.   That perspective has transformed the way Jenski approaches the position. Rather than becoming consumed with critiquing her own performance, she has embraced coaching that challenged her to focus on elevating the athletes around her. Whether she's adjusting a hitter's route, identifying an open area of the court, or using an aggressive serve to shift momentum, her decisions are rooted in creating better opportunities for her team. Jenski is developing into the type of setter whose greatest strength isn't simply running an offense, but bringing out the best in the players around her.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='781695' first='Taimalie' last='Tejada'] has embraced one of the most demanding challenges in volleyball: learning an entirely new position without losing the strengths that made her successful in the first place. Transitioning from middle blocker to the pins has required technical adjustments, new offensive responsibilities, and a willingness to become a student of the game all over again. She has approached that challenge with coachability, trusting that her athleticism and natural vertical ability can translate as her understanding of the position continues to grow.   Her mindset reflects an athlete who values steady progress over immediate perfection. Tejada takes pride in recovering quickly after mistakes, bringing positive energy to her teammates, and helping pull the group together when momentum begins to shift. That combination of resilience and adaptability has allowed her to continue impacting matches while expanding her skill set. As she enters her senior season, Tejada is building the kind of versatility that gives coaches more ways to utilize her on the court.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Shekinah Njua has turned one perceived disadvantage into one of the strongest parts of her game. As a shorter middle blocker, she knows every point requires extra discipline, sharper reads, and flawless technique. Instead of allowing height to define her ceiling, she's built her identity around closing blocks, moving efficiently along the net, and making opposing hitters earn every attack. That mindset was reinforced during a qualifier match against one of the nation's top teams, where her blocking helped slow an offense few opponents had been able to contain.   Njua's growth has come from trusting the fundamentals when pressure builds. Rather than becoming rushed, she focuses on staying available offensively, maintaining disciplined blocking, and evaluating what adjustments will best serve her team. Coaching has also encouraged her to become more assertive as an attacker, giving her the confidence to tool the block and attack with greater purpose instead of settling for safer options. She continues proving that volleyball IQ, discipline, and confidence can be just as impactful as inches at the net.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Lyla Kondel has built her game around one principle: consistency builds trust. Every aspect of her approach reflects that mindset, from controlling serve receive to extending rallies with disciplined defense and relentless effort. She takes pride in being the player teammates depend on when the ball cannot hit the floor, understanding that a libero's greatest contribution often comes from creating one more opportunity for her team to score.   That consistency is the product of intentional refinement rather than natural ability alone. Kondel has learned to slow the game down, trust her training, and make difficult defensive plays look routine by reading hitters early and staying balanced through contact. Her communication never stops, even when momentum shifts, because she believes confidence can be contagious. It's an identity rooted in preparation, composure, and an understanding that the best liberos rarely chase the game. They anticipate it.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Olivia Kozich brings an unmistakable level of energy to the backcourt, but one of the biggest developments in her game has been learning that efficiency often creates better defense than effort alone. She still attacks every ball with urgency, yet her movement has become cleaner, allowing her to reach passing angles more quickly and deliver higher-quality first contacts. That technical adjustment has strengthened both her serve receive and her ability to give hitters better opportunities when the offense falls out of system.   Communication remains at the center of everything Kozich does. Whether she's calming teammates after a difficult stretch or encouraging them through long rallies, she wants her presence to be felt on every point. Just as importantly, she welcomes coaching that pushes her beyond her comfort zone. Her willingness to embrace criticism, refine the smallest details, and compete with relentless enthusiasm reflects a defender who continues finding smarter ways to maximize her impact.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Valentina Esposito has learned to make volleyball IQ one of her greatest competitive advantages. Rather than focusing on what she lacks physically, she's invested in becoming the type of athlete who solves problems before they happen. Her ability to read hitters, anticipate plays, and adapt to multiple positions has allowed her to contribute as a six-rotation player while developing into someone capable of impacting the match from virtually anywhere on the court.   That versatility is backed by an equally thoughtful approach to improvement. Beach volleyball has strengthened her court awareness, years of technical work have elevated her passing platform, and coaching has challenged her to play lower and faster on defense. When adversity strikes, Esposito returns to the fundamentals, communicates even more, and looks for adjustments instead of excuses. She continues demonstrating that athletes who understand the game deeply often create opportunities that extend well beyond measurable physical traits.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Charlotte Hayes understands that the best middle blockers don't simply attack the ball. They influence the defense before they ever swing. While her competitiveness and presence at the net remain defining parts of her game, she's becoming increasingly intentional about creating offense through court awareness, recognizing defensive vulnerabilities, and placing attacks where opponents least expect them. Whether she's running a back one or drawing blockers away from her teammates, Hayes is learning to make every touch more purposeful.   That same mindset has shaped her development in transition. Faster, more efficient movement off the net has allowed her to stay available for more attacks while continuing to create opportunities for her setter throughout a rally. Hayes also values communication, regularly sharing what she sees on the other side of the net and helping teammates recognize scoring opportunities. Her game continues evolving because she understands that smart middles don't just finish plays. They help create them.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Madeline Silvestri has built her game around being someone her teammates never have to question. She may not be the loudest player on the court, but reliability has become one of her greatest strengths. Whether it's delivering a consistent serve, staying emotionally grounded, or quietly reinforcing the confidence of the players around her, Silvestri believes trust is earned through steady actions repeated over time rather than one defining moment.   That perspective has only deepened through personal adversity. After experiencing significant family loss this season, one piece of coaching advice stayed with her: give yourself permission to grieve before expecting yourself to move forward. That reminder allowed her to return to the court with renewed perspective while strengthening the resilience that already defined her game. Silvestri continues proving that composure isn't the absence of challenges. It's the ability to keep showing up for your teammates while working through them.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Rylie Lena refuses to let momentum determine how she competes. Whether her team has won three straight points or lost three in a row, her response is the same: communicate, bring energy, and find another way to help. If the ball isn't coming her way, she'll influence the match through blocking, encouragement, coverage, or simply helping teammates reset before the next rally. That team-first mentality has become one of the defining characteristics of her game.   Her confidence has also grown as her offensive game has expanded. Coaching has challenged Lena to speed up her arm swing and attack with greater aggression, allowing her athleticism to translate into more consistent pressure at the net. Yet even as her physical game continues developing, it's her emotional leadership that stands out most. Lena understands that attitude spreads quickly on a volleyball court, and she has made it a priority to ensure her energy lifts the people around her instead of reflecting the scoreboard.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   🔥 Athletes   One of the biggest takeaways from this group is that separation doesn't always come from physical ability.   The athletes featured here talked about communicating more effectively, embracing coaching, making smarter adjustments, leading through adversity, and finding ways to help their teammates succeed. Those habits may never appear in a box score, but they often become the qualities coaches remember long after the final point has been played.   Study this group closely. Every athlete is developing a different strength, but they all share one common mindset. They understand that becoming a complete volleyball player means growing in areas that extend far beyond attacking, setting, blocking, or defending.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors   Thank you for creating environments where athletes are challenged to grow as competitors and as teammates.   Throughout this article, your athletes referenced communication, accountability, resilience, coachability, leadership, and the willingness to continue learning. Those qualities are built through demanding practices, honest feedback, and coaches who help athletes understand not only how to play the game, but how to think through it.   If one of your athletes is featured, celebrate her growth. Share this article, tag @PrepDigCA, and continue highlighting the culture you're building inside your gym.   🎯 College Coaches   Every recruiting class includes talented athletes.   The ones who continue separating themselves are often the athletes who pair their physical tools with emotional maturity, volleyball IQ, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to improvement. The competitors featured here offered a glimpse into how they process the game, respond to challenges, and continue refining their craft. Those qualities frequently translate just as well to the collegiate level as measurable athletic ability.   The athletes who continue growing are often the ones who never stop learning.   🙏 Parents & Supporters   Every lesson these athletes shared began long before they answered a single question.   The confidence to embrace coaching, the resilience to move forward after mistakes, and the willingness to support teammates through every match are built through years of encouragement, sacrifice, and belief. Thank you for continuing to invest in opportunities that challenge these athletes to grow not only as volleyball players, but as leaders, teammates, and young adults.   The skills they develop on the court will shape far more than the matches they play. They'll help shape the people they become.   🚀 <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"/>   Want More Exposure? The PrepDig Showcase Series is designed for athletes who want to take ownership of their recruiting journey and better understand how visibility, evaluation, and opportunity work together. These events offer more than competition. They provide athletes with a chance to learn how exposure works, compete in front of evaluators, build confidence, and gain valuable insight into what coaches are looking for at each stage of development.   Whether your goal is to improve communication, showcase your skills, earn recognition, receive meaningful evaluation, or simply learn how to stand out in a competitive environment, each showcase is built to help athletes grow both on and off the court. If you're ready to invest in your development, tell your story, and put yourself on the radar, <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase" id="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">registration is open</a>.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/06/image_7e2dff.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1000286"/></a></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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