Layla Marquez came out of UA Next pointing to her communication and leadership as the parts of her game that carried her, along with hitting and serving she felt good about all camp. She’s already thinking about how the game changes as players get older and faster, and she’s clear that confidence isn’t something a player builds once and keeps, it’s something that has to grow alongside the competition. That’s a mature read for a middle schooler to have, and it lines up with where she’s pointing her development next. She named volleyball IQ as the piece she wants to keep building, with a simple reason behind it: once the IQ is there, she believes everything else in her game follows it.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA leans on her athleticism, explosiveness, and versatility to stand out, along with an ability to place her shots anywhere on the court. She’s chasing a varsity spot as an incoming freshman at Archbishop Mitty, and her ambitions don’t stop there, she’s aiming for WCAL Freshman of the Year and a shot at a state championship in her very first season. A coaching note about keeping a good platform and staying relaxed on her passing is the piece she’s currently working into her game. Marquez has already identified the kind of programs she sees herself fitting into, Louisville, SMU, Texas A&M, and USC among them, drawn to a style of play she feels matches her own. She leads by building her teammates’ confidence, keeping their energy up, and encouraging them through tough stretches, calling that where her leadership kicks in. She wanted to be part of the Freshman Showcase for the chance to compete against talented players, and she’s hoping to walk away having sharpened her game and shown coaches exactly the kind of teammate and competitor she is.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA named Freshman LovbLA Player of the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA 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.

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA is a freshman with a four-year runway and a skill set that already looks college-ready in flashes.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Layla Marquez named Top Performing Outside Hitter at 7/31/26 SoCal Freshman Showcase, Irvine, Ca.

Layla Marquez was one of the most impressive attackers in the gym. She combined a heavy arm with true power, attacking confidently from multiple situations and proving she could impact the match in a variety of ways. Her versatility allowed her to score from different areas of the court, while her commanding court presence made her impossible to ignore. She competed with relentless aggression throughout the showcase, attacking confidently and encouraging teammates at every opportunity. Her combination of power, intensity, and leadership made her one of the most memorable athletes in the gym.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA brings an energy to the court that matches her production. She had one of the biggest performances I watched, but what made it memorable was the personality she played with throughout the match. She attacks every area of the court with confidence and understands that great hitters don’t rely on one shot. When clean swings aren’t available, she does an excellent job tooling the block to create points instead of forcing low-percentage attacks. She remains a weapon from both the front and back row, communicates exceptionally well with her teammates, and competes with a confidence that elevates the players around her. Layla doesn’t just score points. She creates momentum. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA earned an invite at the Kansas City camp to the 2027 UA High School Camp Series

Layla helped lead her team to a 5-0 weekend and a second seed at the Power League Qualifier in San Mateo, highlighting her communication, leadership, and consistent support of her teammates. She expressed pride in applying the skills she has been developing to become a more complete and confident player on the court. Her next area of focus is expanding her attacking range and recognizing when different situations call for more aggressive shot selection, rather than playing it safe. Off the court, Layla enjoys spending time with her family, dancing with teammates and friends, and recently completed her High School Placement Test as she prepares to begin high school this fall.

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA ‘s upcoming events include Power League 1 on February 7 and Triple Crown from February 14–16.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA plays with the kind of purpose that’s hard to teach. She wants to be the best all-around version of herself, and she shows that drive every time she steps on the court. At the showcase, she didn’t just perform…she led. Her consistency, grit, and competitive edge made her an easy choice for a MVP of the event.

“I just want them to remember my grit,” she said, and she made sure that’s exactly what happened. Layla competes with heart, lifts those around her, and plays for something bigger than herself.

Fun fact: People often assume she wears number 24 for Kobe Bryant, but it’s actually for her baby brother, a promise she’s proud to keep. She prayed for him for a long time, and now carries his number as her daily reminder of love, gratitude, and purpose.

Layla brings serious power and a strong, aggressive approach. She attacks every ball with purpose, rising high and driving it down with authority. Already ahead of her time, she played with confidence, all smiles throughout the event, and connected effortlessly with her teammates. The future is bright for this rising talent. — Kantessa Bryant-Miller

Layla Marquez Layla Marquez 5'10" | OH/RS Archbishop Mitty | 2030 CA Named Top Performer at PrepDig Freshman Showcase