The Outside and Right Sides Swings That Held Up at Durango

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe" data-type="link" data-id="prepdig.com/subscribe">Use code Coachable247 for 30% off. Subscribe to follow every prospect on their journey. </a>   Teams built around the nation's toughest blocks weren't enough to slow this group of outside hitters and right sides down. Durango's field brought eight of the top ten teams in the country and thirteen of the top twenty-five, which meant every swing these athletes took came against a blocker who belonged on that court just as much as they did. Mater Dei walked away as champions, and the rest of the bracket sorted itself out from there, but the story for this group isn't really about where their teams finished. It's about how they answered the moment.   These are the athletes who live at the pins, the ones asked to find a seam against a wall of committed blockers and still finish. Some are already locked into their next chapter. Others are just getting started building a list. All of them spent the weekend proving their swings hold up, and their own words tell that story better than a stat sheet ever could.   Here's what they had to say about the habits carrying them, the parts of their game they're still chasing, and what they hope shows up when a coach finally watches them play.    Amelia Houtzer is an unexpected weapon at the net. "I have been learning to use the block to my advantage, going for outside hands, high hands, and tooling the edges and tops of the block when I can," she said, crediting her eyework and peripheral vision for the confidence to attack whatever set comes her way. She's just as clear-eyed about the jump from club to varsity, where she's now facing girls who could be committed seniors. "It is difficult to face that reality, but I see it more as an opportunity than a setback," she said. Watching college volleyball has shaped her approach at the net, and one school in particular has stuck with her for a personal reason: her mom grew up almost down the street from Northwestern, and the visit there left an impression she hasn't shaken. "I have always wanted to play Big Ten volleyball, and it is definitely one of my biggest dreams."   Amelia is building her college list and communicating with programs, with interest already coming in.   St. Francis finished 33rd overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Keira Nelson scores, period. "I'm best known for my scoring efficiency. In high pressure situations or when my team needs a point they can rely on me to be able to execute," she said. She's working on expanding her hitting range this season, trying out new shots in practice before bringing them into games. When matches get tense, her composure is what her team leans on. "I want my teammates to be able to look to me when things get stressful and know that I'll stay composed and help keep everyone focused," she said.   Keira is committed to Purdue, where she's working toward playing professionally after college. Outside of volleyball, she's one of three sisters, including a twin, in a sports-driven family.   Buchanan finished 28th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Harper Goff doesn't lean on power alone anymore. "I'm not afraid to go for it, but I'm also always working on becoming a smarter hitter and finding different ways to score instead of just relying on power," she said. When matches get tense, she falls back on something her dad taught her. "Good play, badly, next play," is the mindset she tries to bring every time momentum swings. What she wants noticed isn't a swing at all. "I stay engaged in every point, covering hitters, transitioning, and being ready to make the next play," she said, "even when the ball isn't coming to me."   Harper is actively contacting college coaches and has received interest. Away from the court, she's a devoted football fan who says she knows more about the sport than people expect.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Deborah Makama has a specific model in mind for her game. "I'm intentionally training my serve receive in hopes of becoming a passer like Chloe Chicoine on Louisville," she said, working with her coaches on faster, deeper reps to help her read and pick a side quicker. Her teammates lean on her when the pressure's on. "I think having a calm player to look at when games get tight or when you make a mistake is very important," she said.   Deborah is building her college list and actively contacting coaches, with strong interest in playing beach volleyball in California.   Folsom finished 29th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Emilie LaSala calls herself a tricky hitter, and the description fits. "I have a strong and consistent platform that helps me stay reliable in serve receive and defense," she said, "and I can use different shots, tools, and powerful swings to terminate." This season she's chasing a higher vertical through jump training while also cleaning up her block timing so she doesn't drift off her hitter.   Emilie is communicating with college programs and has received interest, with her sights on competing in the Big West, WCC, Mountain West, ACC, Big Ten, or Pac-12.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Baylee Wilson plays with an edge and an eye on the long term. "My teammates and coaches can count on me to swing hard, stay aggressive, and keep fighting for every point," she said. She's tightening up her serve this season, working on placement and accuracy under pressure. The goal beyond high school is a big one. "Ultimately, my goal is to play professionally and hopefully represent the USA one day," she said.   Baylee is building her college list. Outside of volleyball, she surfs with her dad and is a vegetarian.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Avery Hawa keeps her answers as direct as her game. "Right now I am known for my strategic hits and my serve receive," she said. She's rounding out her net game by working on setting up the block, and she naturally steps into a leadership role when things get shaky, helping teammates reset and move on.   Avery is communicating with college programs and has already received one or more offers, hoping to play Division 1 and get recruited this year.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Jora Vangorder reads the court from both sides before she ever swings. "My ability to read both sides of the court well enough to make smart decisions when hitting the ball over the net" is what she wants noticed most. Her blocking is what her team already relies on, and she's spending extra time in the weight room this season to build up her attacking and serve receive.   Jora is building her college list, aiming for Division 1. Outside of volleyball, she has a passion for architecture and design.   Redwood finished 35th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Siena Atilano does her best work in the moments that don't always get noticed. "When things get difficult I make sure to get a good pass for my teammates and stay as calm and united with them," she said. Her serving is what her team counts on when she rotates back for a middle, and she's putting in extra reps to expand her range on defense.   Siena is just beginning to learn the recruiting process and has started building her college list. Outside of volleyball, she can juggle.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Bryn Gardiner keeps her game simple and her focus locked in. Hitting is what she's known for, but she's putting in daily work on her passing, and her teammates describe her as someone who stays locked in no matter the moment.   Bryn is just beginning to learn about recruiting, with Division 1 volleyball as her goal. Outside of volleyball, she sings and plays piano.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 Athletes</h3>   Take time to explore the player profiles featured in this article. Look at how they built their profile, how they presented themselves, and what their evaluations say about the habits that got them there. If you're still early in your own recruiting process, this is not the time to compare your timeline to theirs. It's time to be honest with yourself about what's left to do. Reach out to coaches. Follow up on interest. 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