Outside Hitters and Right Sides: Built for the Big Durango Swings

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe" data-type="link" data-id="prepdig.com/subscribe">Use code Coachable247 for 30% off. Subscribe to read about the biggest volleyball weekends of September.</a>   Against a field this deep, a hitter's shot selection gets tested fast. Eight of the nation's top ten teams and thirteen of the top twenty-five are walking into Durango this weekend, and blockers on the other side of the net are going to be just as talented as the hitters trying to get past them.   That's where this group comes in. Outside hitters and right sides live or die by their ability to read a block, find a seam, and finish under pressure. The margin for error shrinks against elite competition, and the athletes who separate themselves are the ones who can adjust mid-swing instead of relying on one shot to carry them.   These are the hitters ready for that test.    Syriana is heading into Durango focused on the climb. "I'm most looking forward to competing with my team, getting better, and seeing how far we can go together. I'm excited to challenge myself and prove how much I've grown as a player," she said.   Her game is anchored in what she brings before the ball even comes to her. She's known for her energy and for being someone her teammates can always count on, always encouraging, always bringing presence to the court even when things aren't going the team's way. Right now she's locked in on becoming more consistent with her hitting and shot selection, putting in extra reps and sharpening her timing so the decisions come faster in games.   Watch her closely and the stat sheet won't tell the full story. Her communication and leadership are constant, the kind of presence that keeps a team together when the momentum shifts.   She's aiming for Division 1 volleyball, and she's already deep into the process, building her list, talking with coaches, and fielding real interest along the way.   Outside the gym, she's fluent in four languages.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Olivia is excited for the level of competition Durango brings against quality programs from across the country.   Blocking is where she's made her name, but she doesn't hide from what she's still building. She's working on her hitting this season, and off the stat sheet, she takes pride in being the teammate everyone can lean on when things get hard, the cheerleader, the reliable one, the athlete who keeps doing the little things even when her own game isn't clicking.   What should stand out watching her play is her will to win, showing up in the effort even when the shots aren't falling, whether that's setting up a block, covering, or simply communicating.   Her goal beyond high school is as practical as it is ambitious. She hopes volleyball takes her to the collegiate level and helps her graduate debt free, and she's already begun the process of building her list and reaching out to coaches.   Away from the court, school is where her energy would go if volleyball weren't in the picture, and she's chasing a full academic scholarship right alongside her athletic one.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     This is Bryli's last run at Durango, and she knows it. "I am excited to compete with my team and just have fun, as this is my last year competing in the Durango Fall Classic since I am a senior," she said.   Her coaches count on her to hit consistently, and her shot selection combined with a fast swing makes her a threat every time she's in system. She's using this season to sharpen the mental side of her serve receive and to build confidence in blocking, since most teams don't set to the right side often, so when the chance comes, she wants to make it count.   Her teammates see a competitor and a leader, someone strategic who brings energy and hype to every rotation. What she wants people to notice most is her communication, how she tries to lift everyone around her up.   As she closes out her senior season, her goals are simple. Have fun, make memories, and compete. She's already fielding offers as she figures out the next step.   Off the court, she's about as organized as it gets, running a tight schedule and making time for family and friends whenever she can.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Charlie is ready to compete against the best. "I'm looking forward to playing some of the best competition there is and balling out with my teammates and friends. Our team going into this tournament looks to be the best we can be and just play together as a unit," she said.   Her attacking, both in system and out, is what her team counts on most, and she's found success finding the holes in a block or finishing off a defender's hands. When her team runs a 5-1, she adds another layer, digging from right back and battling for every ball. This season, she's sharpening her serve receive and refining her blocking setup.   As team captain, she's the one leading in the hard moments, communicating seams, resetting her hitters, and reminding everyone to stay present. Her teammates call her a big sister on the team, someone to lean on in high pressure moments. What she wants noticed most isn't a stat. It's how coachable and intentional she is with every part of her game.   She's working to find the right fit at the college level, already deep into conversations with coaches and programs.   Outside of volleyball, she's a big basketball fan, whether she's playing it or just watching.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Kennedy Langmo Committed: Furman University   Kennedy is treating this weekend as a real test. "I am most excited about the level of volleyball we will be playing this weekend. With all of the top teams in the country I think it will be a test to our discipline and composure," she said.   Her back row attack is a weapon her coaches and setters know they can call on, not just when the team is out of system, but as a real offensive option. This season, she and her team are locking in on consistent serve receive, building intentional reps around early angles and creating space.   Leadership is where she separates herself beyond pure skill. She holds her teammates to a high standard while still lifting them up, and her voice and presence on the court are things that show up far more in person than on a stat sheet.   With her college decision already set, Kennedy's next goal is getting stronger and faster heading into the next level.   Outside of volleyball, she's a competitive equestrian, currently ranked third overall nationally in the CCI 1* eventing division for riders under 25, and a recent Young Rider Championships qualifier and CCI 1* winner.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Shewa Adefemiwa Committed: LSU   Shewa is ready to measure her team against the best. "I look forward to getting to compete against the best of the best and seeing where we are as a team," she said.   Strength and power at the net are what she's best known for, and she's using this season to become more vocal and build deeper trust with her teammates so they can rely on her in the toughest moments. Her teammates already describe her as someone dependable, someone they can talk to, and someone who can put a smile on anyone's face.   What should stand out watching her play is her versatility, the ability to move across different spots on the court and still be a driving force wherever she lines up.   With her college decision already made, Shewa's goal now is to keep adding to her game and become a real force in the SEC.   Outside the gym, she's a talented singer.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Grace is bringing energy first this weekend. "I am most looking forward to having so much fun with my teammates and giving our all. I want to be loud on the bench and help bring energy to everyone so we can work hard and excel under pressure," she said.   Hitting is where she's most comfortable, managing broken sets and finding open spots on the court. This season, she's dialing in her approach footwork, training daily to make her third step more consistent so she can generate more hip rotation and get higher off the ground.   When things get tough, she naturally settles into staying calm and doing her job, someone her teammates can talk to and lean on for reassurance. What she wants noticed most is that balance, staying competitive while helping everyone else stay steady too.   Her goal is D1 volleyball, and she's already building her list and fielding early interest as one of the younger names in this group.   Outside of volleyball, she's always up for a spontaneous adventure with friends, trampoline parks included, and she's an avid reader in her downtime.   ~ 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. Make sure your film, your evaluations, and your profile reflect where your game is right now, not where it was last season.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">📣 Club Coaches & Directors</h3>   Celebrate the athletes from your program who were featured. 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.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🎯 College Coaches</h3>   <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.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🙏 Parents & Supporters</h3>   🚀 <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"/>   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

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