LovbLA Players of the SoCal Showcases

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Use code LovbLA for 30% off. Subscribe to see who won the awards and support PrepDig's work covering our community.</a>   Los Angeles is about to have something it has never had before, a professional women's volleyball team to call its own. Before LovbLA ever takes the court, the players who will grow up watching them are already making their mark.   LovbLA brought recognition to the Freshman Showcase, the Sophomore ID Camp, and the StockUp Showcase to spotlight talent early. Nine athletes separated themselves in ways that earned them LovbLA recognition. What connects all nine is bigger than a single showcase event. It is the beginning of a relationship between LA's next professional volleyball team and the youth players who will one day fill the seats behind it, wear the gear, and grow up saying they were recognized before anyone else knew the names.   Several of these award winners have been waiting for a professional team to land in their own city, so they finally have somewhere local to point to and say, that is what I am working toward.   This is what it looks like when a league and a community start building something together before the first ball is ever served. And with that, here are the nine winners.    [player_tooltip player_id='752867' first='Layla' last='Marquez'] named Freshman LovbLA Player of the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_80f5c1.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013313" style="aspect-ratio:0.7999311591085104;width:217px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='752867' first='Layla' last='Marquez'] is the freshman nobody could look away from. As an outside hitter in her first year of high school volleyball, she played with a physicality and shot selection that put her well ahead of her class.   She attacks with a heavy arm and true power, and she does it from multiple positions on the court, not just one comfortable spot. That kind of range matters at the next level, and Layla already shows it as a freshman. She scored out of system, scored in transition, and scored when the set wasn't perfect, which tells you her arm swing and shoulder are ahead of her age group.   What separates her further is how she competes. Layla plays with relentless aggression and a confidence that doesn't waver possession to possession. For a freshman, that emotional consistency is rare. Most freshmen are still learning how to reset after an error. Layla has already figured it out.   Her court presence commands attention. She brings power, she brings intensity, and she brings a leadership voice that most freshmen haven't found yet.   When asked to describe LovbLA in one word, Layla said "Culture." She explained it simply: everyone is close, everyone is connected, and everyone brings something a little different to the table.   [player_tooltip player_id='752867' first='Layla' last='Marquez'] is a freshman with a four-year runway and a skill set that already looks college-ready in flashes.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='748210' first='Jael' last='Smith'] named LovbLA Player of the Sophomore ID Camp   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_cb57cf.png?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1013582" style="width:205px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='748210' first='Jael' last='Smith'] walks into a gym with a resume that speaks before she ever swings. A 2025 CIF State Girls Volleyball champion, a USA U-17 National Team selection, and a 3.8 GPA out of Mater Dei. That is the profile of a sophomore who is already operating at a different level than most of the gym around her.   The showcase confirmed why. Jael was one of the most dominant offensive players on the court, combining a heavy arm with remarkable consistency, a rare pairing at this age. Power is common. Power with control is not. She attacked with force while staying precise, and her ability to hit sharp angles made her especially difficult to defend from either pin. Blockers could not simply lean on strength to slow her down. She found the seams.   Jael's combination of strength, precision, and offensive firepower made her one of the true powerhouses of the showcase. Pair that with a national team resume and a state championship pedigree, and it becomes clear why coaches were circling back to watch her repeat swings.   Asked to describe LovbLA in one word, Jael said "family." She spoke about wanting to see the competition, the big players, and the big moments, and about what it means to watch a professional volleyball team take shape in Los Angeles for the first time. She called it an inspiration to every young girl watching the sport grow.   That is the LovbLA effect. It turns a showcase into something bigger than a single event, and it turns players like Jael into the next generation watching what professional volleyball in their own city can become.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='665593' first='Elizabeth' last='Gilmore'] named LovbLA Player of the StockUp Showcase   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_199d16.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013577" style="width:226px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='665593' first='Elizabeth' last='Gilmore'] did not come to the StockUp Showcase to blend in. She came to be seen, and she backed that mindset up with an arm that made coaches take notice.   She impressed with a heavy arm and an aggressive offensive mindset, attacking confidently from the first rotation to the last. That word, aggressive, matters. Elizabeth did not play it safe or look to simply keep the ball alive. She looked to score, possession after possession, and that kind of mentality is exactly what separates a player who fills a stat sheet from one who changes a match.   Her ability to generate power made her a difficult hitter to defend, and it is that power paired with intent that made her stand out in a gym full of players competing for the same attention.   That intent showed up off the court too. Elizabeth said she loves coming to showcases to show off her skills, meet new people, and stand out. It is a simple answer, but it reflects exactly how she played. She was not waiting for an opportunity to be given to her. She was taking it.   Her advice to our LovbLA athletes is to work hard in the offseason. Get in the gym. Try to stand out when you are not comfortable, because it is okay to be uncomfortable.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='580631' first='Kendall' last='Stark'] named LovbLA Queen Setter   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_4149b5.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013317" style="width:206px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='580631' first='Kendall' last='Stark'] ran the show. As one of the top setters in the gym, she consistently delivered a high, hittable ball with excellent location, the kind of set that makes an entire offense easier to run. Her jump sets were well timed, and she ran the offense with a confidence that made her the clear floor general every time she touched the ball.   What stood out most was her floor under pressure. Even when forced into bump-setting situations, Kendall maintained quality and still gave her hitters real opportunities to score. That is not a small thing. Plenty of setters look sharp when the pass is perfect. Kendall looked sharp when it wasn't. As she put it herself, she is a left-handed oppo who loves to attack on two, a detail that says everything about a setter who refuses to be one-dimensional.   She controlled tempo with confidence and energy, and her footwork consistently put her in position before the ball even arrived, which is what allows a setter to dictate pace instead of chase it. When she rotated to the front row, she turned into a legitimate offensive weapon, attacking deep balls and second-ball opportunities without hesitation. That kind of two-way threat forces opposing blockers to respect her hands and her arm, which opens the floor for everyone else.   Beyond the technical package, Kendall took charge of the court. She brought contagious fire and positivity to every point, and when she wasn't on the floor, she was on the sideline cheering just as loud. Her leadership and personality elevated everyone around her, and that combination, a true tempo-setter with an offensive gear of her own, is exactly what makes her the LovbLA Queen Setter.   Kendall was excited and grateful to win. Her advice to our LovbLA Setters: be a leader on the court, pour back into the team, and be loud enough to hype up your teammates in the difficult moments, not just the good ones.    ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='714028' first='Yemaya' last='Chappell'] named LovbLA Net Middle Blocker Boss   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_26b3a6.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013318" style="width:219px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='714028' first='Yemaya' last='Chappell'] owned the net. As a 2029 middle blocker, she controlled the middle of the court with outstanding footwork and physical presence, consistently winning battles at the net while moving efficiently and confidently from block to block. That efficiency matters more than raw athleticism at the middle position. Blocking is a footwork game before it is a jump game, and Yemaya's movement patterns were clean possession after possession, which is exactly why she looked so composed against faster tempo offenses.   Her presence at the net was not just physical. It was commanding. Middles who win at this level do it by getting to the right spot before the set even arrives, and Yemaya's anticipation and positioning consistently put her in a position to contest and control, not just react.   Off the court, her excitement for LovbLA runs just as deep as her game. Yemaya already attends college matches to study the sport at the next level, but she has been waiting specifically for a professional women's volleyball team to land in her own city. She wants to watch her position played at its most elite level and learn from it directly, a mindset that says as much about her ceiling as her footwork does.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780545' first='Elle' last='Binn'] named LovbLA Powerhouse Pin   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_b1f329.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013320" style="aspect-ratio:0.7999770517196868;width:242px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='780545' first='Elle' last='Binn'] plays bigger than her frame, and that is exactly the point. She brought an aggressive offensive presence to the court with a heavy arm that consistently challenged opposing defenses, the kind of swing that does not ask for permission from anyone's expectations about size.   She paired that physicality with contagious energy, competing with enthusiasm that helped elevate the intensity of everyone around her. Elle competed with relentless energy throughout the showcase, aggressively pursuing every ball and finishing attacks with confidence. She backed up her own production too, constantly turning around to celebrate teammates with positive communication and encouragement. Her enthusiasm and effort stood out as much as her offensive numbers, which is a rare balance. Most hitters bring one or the other. Elle brought both, every rotation.   Elle has had to earn every inch of her game the hard way, and that context makes her Powerhouse recognition hit even harder. In her own words, she said she was grateful and happy, especially knowing how much harder it is for an undersized hitter to get up and be seen at the net.   Her advice to LovbLA players carried real weight: height does not define you. If you want it badly enough, work as hard as you can to get it, because your size does not define who you are as a player. Change the atmosphere.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='1010653' first='Makayla' last='Flores'] named LovbLA Right Side Closer   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_d12984.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013393" style="aspect-ratio:0.7999311591085104;width:199px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1010653' first='Makayla' last='Flores'] was one of the more impactful attackers in the showcase. She swung with power, using a heavy arm and impressive reach to attack over the block, consistently putting opposing defenses in a difficult position. Makayla attacked with that same power throughout the showcase, and her reach at the point of contact made her a matchup problem for blockers trying to time her swing.   Beyond the offensive production, she consistently encouraged her teammates and brought positive energy to the court, making her presence felt both as a competitor and as a teammate. That dual identity, a closer at the net and a lifter of everyone around her, is exactly what makes a right side more than just an attacking option.   Speaking directly to LovbLA's Annie Drews, Makayla offered this: stay disciplined, keep that drive and motivation, keep practicing when nobody is watching, and be the best version of yourself. She closed it out with a congratulations to Drews and her baby.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='989807' first='Starlette' last='Barajas'] named LovbLA Defensive Diva   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_cd1ffa.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1013394" style="width:261px;height:auto"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='989807' first='Starlette' last='Barajas'] plays defense with speed and hustle, and it starts with her feet. She is disciplined getting into position, reading the offense early and getting set before the ball ever arrives, which is the difference between a libero who reacts and one who anticipates.   Her patience shows up in the dig itself. Starlette does not rush the moment. She digs under control, and her extended platform setup consistently delivers balls in system, giving her offense a clean look instead of a scramble. When plays do break down, she still finds a way to deliver out-of-system sets that keep her hitters with options, rather than putting them in a defensive swing.   Her serve receive platform is just as consistent, which is the quiet skill that makes a libero trustworthy on every rotation, not just the highlight digs. Coaches notice the players who make the boring plays look easy just as much as the spectacular ones.   What makes her stand out beyond the skill set is how she plays. Starlette plays with a smile and carries a court presence that is genuinely fun to watch. She is uplifting to her teammates, the kind of libero whose energy in the back row makes the entire defense feel steadier.   Starlette shared that she felt grateful for the experience and honored to be named Defensive Diva after helping her team to the Freshman Championship . She credited the event, LovbLA CEOs, the coaches, and the athletes she competed alongside for making the showcase special. Starlette walked away with new friendships, more confidence, and more motivation to keep working.   That is the full package behind the Defensive Diva title. Disciplined footwork, a reliable platform, a joy for the game that shows up in every rally, and a mindset that treats every showcase as fuel for the next one.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='752867' first='Layla' last='Marquez'] named LovbLA ICON, Most Exciting Player of the Showcase   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_57ab27.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1013395" style="width:260px;height:auto"/></figure>   Coaches in the gym were watching her the way you watch an upperclassman, not a first-year player. That is the ICON factor. Layla does not play like someone waiting her turn. She plays like someone who already knows the moment belongs to her.   She encouraged teammates constantly, communicated through mistakes, and never let a bad swing change her next one. That energy is contagious. It is the kind of presence that lifts a bench, shifts momentum, and makes a gym full of strangers start paying attention to one player.   When [player_tooltip player_id='752867' first='Layla' last='Marquez'] takes the court, everyone in the gym notices. She plays big. She plays loud. She executes with a passion that turns heads on every rotation.   Layla attacked confidently, encouraged teammates at every opportunity, and consistently found ways to score. Her combination of power, intensity, and leadership made her one of the most memorable athletes in the gym, not just for what she did with the ball, but for how she made everyone around her feel while she did it.   This is what LovbLA embodies in the "most exciting player." It is not just highlight swings. It is a player who plays with enthusiasm loud enough to change the temperature of a gym, and confident enough to make you believe every big moment is coming next.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 Athletes</h3>   Recognition like this does not happen by accident. It happens because you competed like the moment mattered, and it did. Keep playing with the same identity that got you here. LovbLA noticed you once. It will not be the last time.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">📣 Club Coaches & Directors</h3>   Nine athletes from your gyms just earned LovbLA recognition. That is a credit to the environments you are building and the habits you are coaching into your players every day. Share it. Celebrate it. Let your clubs feel connected to what is coming to Los Angeles.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🎯 College Coaches</h3>   Every player featured here plays with traits that translate. Heavy arms with control, tempo-setters who dictate pace, middles who anticipate before they react, and a libero who makes the unglamorous plays look routine. Keep watching. This will not be the last time these names show up on your radar.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🙏 Parents & Supporters</h3>   The excitement your daughters feel watching a professional team take shape in their own city is not small. It is the beginning of a bigger picture, one where the players they admire on Sunday are the same players they compete alongside on Saturday. Keep showing up. Keep bringing them to watch.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🧡 LovbLA</h3>   Imagine an eighteen-player roster where every athlete is paired with a single local club, not spread thin across dozens of gyms, but matched one to one in a partnership that actually feels personal. Imagine Club Night, where an entire club shows up specifically to support their player. A good luck message before a big tournament. A short Q&A. An occasional practice visit. Small, authentic touchpoints that make a young athlete feel like they are not just watching a professional team, they are connected to one.   That is how a league stops being something a city watches and becomes something a city grows up inside of.   LovbLA has the players.   LA has the clubs.   The bridge between them is already standing right here.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   🚀 <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.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prepdig.com/recruiting-resources/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/image_3e909a.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1003951"/></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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