The Sophomores Making Their Teams Run Better

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Use code Coachable247 for 30% off. Subscribe to follow these sophomores as they take on varsity this fall.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some players make themselves better. This group makes their teams better. Whether it's directing traffic on defense, keeping an offense connected, or simply making sure every teammate feels seen, these five sophomores measure their own growth by how the group around them functions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["964832"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85fe2dae630"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donya Sarhangnejad has grown into a dependable presence for Mater Dei's back row, someone her libero position demands be steady in every rotation. Her defense, communication, and composure have all sharpened over the past year, and her club coaches pushed her specifically to take on a vocal leadership role from the back court, work she expects to carry directly into confident, communicative play once high school season begins. Looking back, she wishes she'd trusted her instincts more instead of overthinking mistakes in the moment, and she's used the time since club season to build a next-play mindset and a stronger baseline of consistency. She's early in her recruiting process and focused on continuing to develop while learning more about programs that could be a fit. Her leadership has grown from simply working hard to genuinely encouraging teammates and helping the group stay locked in during difficult stretches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1009882"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85fe2dae69c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emmelynn Larrondo has spent this year pushing herself out of her comfort zone as an outside hitter, defensive specialist, and right side for Etiwanda. Her focus has been on building multiple offensive plans for different sets, a tactical flexibility she expects to pay off in high school by opening up gaps she can attack once the defense has to respect more than one option. She's candid that she wants to take bigger risks and trust herself more this season, an honest assessment of where her game still has room to grow. She's just beginning her recruiting process and is approaching this season with a mindset of being aggressive and available for whatever her team needs. Her leadership has shifted meaningfully over the past year, from mostly following to recognizing she has real influence over her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["966534"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85fe2dae6eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giuliana Vargas runs her offense with a specific eye for finding the right target at the right moment, a skill she's built deliberately as a setter for Woodcrest Christian. She expects that read to translate directly into more efficient sets once her high school season begins, putting the ball where her hitters need it, when they need it. She's also focused on strengthening her body in the weight room, a piece of her game she identified as needing more attention. This past club season, she had the opportunity to co-captain her team, a role that pushed her to be more patient and more encouraging, qualities she's hoping to carry directly into her high school season as her team chases a CIF run. She's already begun attending college camps and posting film as she starts to build her recruiting presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697290"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85fe2dae735"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kyndal Fickett has made herself one of the more reliable defensive communicators on her team as a libero for Yucaipa. Her pancake digs and ability to keep hard-driven balls playable are part of her identity, but what she points to first is her communication, staying vocal and keeping her defense organized point after point. This spring she worked specifically on reading hitters and picking up the ball off their hands earlier while playing middle back, a skill she expects will get her into position faster once her high school season starts. Looking back, she wants to do a better job keeping her head up after a rough stretch, and she's already taking more ownership of communicating with her back-row teammates as a result. She's begun attending college camps to start building name recognition with coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885339"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85fe2dae77f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sadie Saxton brings energy and explosiveness to every rep as a libero and defensive specialist for Agoura. Her serve receive and hustle plays are where that shows up most clearly, and she's focused on trusting the process rather than expecting perfection from herself in every match. She has a list of target schools ready and is planning to start emailing coaches directly in the coming weeks as her recruiting process begins in earnest. Heading into her sophomore season, she wants to lean further into vocal leadership, using her voice to keep her defense connected the same way she already brings energy to every play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 Athletes</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. Make sure your film, your evaluations, and your profile reflect where your game is right now, not where it was last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">📣 Club Coaches &amp; Directors</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Celebrate the athletes from your program who were featured, and use this list as a real conversation starter with your sophomore class. Some of your athletes are already building real momentum with coaches. Others are still figuring out what the process looks like, and this is the stretch where your guidance matters most. Help them understand which conversations to prioritize, which opportunities are worth chasing, and how to present themselves as they head into a new high school season. Share this article and keep the sense of urgency honest without making it feel like pressure. Keep your club updated with the <a href="https://prepdig.com/california/clubs/club-programs/">California Club Program Database</a> and stay connected to every opportunity we create for exposure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🎯 College Coaches</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These profiles represent sophomore athletes who are generating early interest across California. This is a critical window to start tracking who's building momentum before the class gets crowded. Continue updating your evaluations, follow up on athletes you've had on your radar, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/college-subscribe/">Use a Premium College Subscription</a> to identify additional sophomore prospects who may still be flying under the radar this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🙏 Parents &amp; Supporters</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the most important stretches in your athlete's recruiting journey, even if it doesn't feel urgent yet. Thank you for supporting them through it. This is the time to help them stay focused, organized, and proactive rather than anxious about a process that's just beginning. Share this article, look through the featured profiles together, and use it as a conversation about what's still ahead, not as a measure of where they stand against anyone else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🚀 <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a></strong><br>Access exclusive rankings, deeper analysis, and the full Prospect Index to follow every athlete's journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/events" data-type="link" data-id="prepdig.com/events">N<strong>eed More Exposure? Attend a PrepDig Showcase</strong></a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Use Code: MichelleBamford10 for $10 off on all Showcases</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our showcases are 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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"><strong>registration is open</strong></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":1014117,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2436/register/prep-dig-vegas-showcase"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_d44281.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1014117"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":1023459,"width":"355px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7607768620605846","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2508/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-norcal"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_d759b6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1023459" style="aspect-ratio:0.7607768620605846;width:355px;height:auto"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":1023460,"width":"362px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.738161635305266","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2509/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-socal"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/image_784f29.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1023460" style="aspect-ratio:0.738161635305266;width:362px;height:auto"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->