Taking Charge at Durango: The Players Running the Show

Kills get remembered. The decisions that set them up rarely do. Every point in this Durango field started somewhere behind the net, whether that was a setter reading a mismatched block or a back row athlete turning a tough dig into a playable ball, and against eight of the nation's top ten teams, those decisions had almost no room for error.   This group runs the engine room. Here's how they described the habits carrying them through it.    Avery Dedekian thinks about her offense the way a point guard thinks about spacing. "I am working to run my middles more and to get them more involved in the start," she said. "Once I get my middles involved in the start, it helps me spread out my offense more and confuse the other side's blockers." Her setting IQ is what her team leans on most, along with a defensive habit that catches opponents off guard. "I am also known for my defense and setting against the flow, allowing my hitters one block," she said. When matches get tight, communication is her constant. "It's important that I am always communicating so my teammates know where I am on the court," she said.   Avery is committed to San Francisco State, where she'll continue her volleyball career. Outside the sport, she's working toward her pilot's license.   Buchanan finished 28th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Bailey Lewis brings the energy her team feeds off of. "I naturally take on the role as the hype person and make you feel noticed," she said. Her setting is built on speed and anticipation, reading the ball quickly and pushing it out before a block can set. What she wants noticed most isn't a stat line at all. "You should pay attention to how quick I am, how I treat my teammates, and have heart for the game," she said.   Bailey is communicating with college programs, hoping to play in college. Outside of volleyball, she carried a 4.0 for three straight years and is working on her fourth.   Quartz Hill finished 59th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Jasmine Pizarro runs her offense with her head first. "The best part of my game right now is my court IQ and decision making," she said. She's sharpening her defense this season by working on faster reads, training herself to pursue balls further outside her usual range. Her steadiness under pressure is what she brings when things get difficult. "My teammates could say that I show what it looks like to not get in my head or give in to pressure," she said.   Jasmine is building her college list and is not currently pursuing college volleyball, planning to play through the rest of high school. Outside of volleyball, she loves to cook.   Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Isabella Navarro turns pressure into her best volleyball. "When facing a challenging team, I don't come in with a weak mindset but one that inspires me to play my best," she said. "By doing so, I play my best when pressure is high and can be a source of stability for my teammates." This season she's been intentional about returning to fundamentals under pressure, working through serve receive and defense principles in private lessons rather than overcomplicating the moment. Her leadership shows up most in how she protects her teammates' confidence. "I won't let a teammate talk down on herself or feel bad about a previous play," she said.   Isabella is building her college list and communicating with programs, hoping volleyball leads her to a school that's the best academic fit for her future.   Rancho Cucamonga finished 61st overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Luna Eatherton causes problems the moment she steps behind the line. "No matter what the score is, my coach and teammates can count on me to put the ball in the court and cause chaos on the other side," she said. She's working this season on spreading her offense so her hitters face one-way blocks instead of doubles. Under pressure, her voice is what her team hears first. "I am a natural born leader on the court. During intense games I remind my teammates to stay calm and focus on the next ball," she said.   Luna is actively contacting college coaches and communicating with programs. Outside of volleyball, she's fluent in Polish and has studied it for eleven years.   Huntington Beach finished 37th overall.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Aarya Vayada keeps her game simple and effective. Passing and saving balls are what she's built her reputation on, and defense is where she's putting in extra work this season. When the pressure is on, her serve receive is what her team counts on most.   Aarya is just beginning to learn about recruiting, with hopes of playing at the state level. Outside of volleyball, she's strong in math.   Rocklin finished 21st 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. 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"/>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/events" data-type="link" data-id="prepdig.com/events">Need More Exposure? Attend a PrepDig Showcase</a></h2>   Use Code: MichelleBamford10 for $10 off on all Showcases   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.   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>.   <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

Kills get remembered. The decisions that set them up rarely do. Every point in this Durango field started somewhere behind the net, whether that was a setter reading a mismatched block or a back row athlete turning a tough dig into a playable ball, and against eight of the nation's top ten teams, those decisions had almost no room for error.