Setters/Right Sides: Quarterbacks/Closers

At GJNC, the tempo was fast, the stakes were high, and it was the setters and right sides who helped stabilize the chaos. Competing in the Gold Bracket on Championship Day, these athletes thrived under pressure, controlling tempo, converting tough balls into kills, and leading with poise. I had the chance to speak with several of them off the court, and their reflections revealed not only a deep understanding of the game, but also a hunger to grow and a calm-under-pressure mentality that every college program is looking for.    [player_tooltip player_id='533687' first='Jasmine' last='Pizarro'], setter for Coast 14-Davis, focused heavily on mental strength and preparation for long-format matches. She challenged her teammates to identify reset cues and return to their core values under pressure. “Mistakes were inevitable, but we refused to let them affect our mindset,” she said. That resilience showed when they rallied to win in overtime during the semifinals, then went on to capture the championship. Jasmine walked away with a deeper understanding of composure and execution. “The emotions I felt in that semifinal are ones I'll carry with me forever.”   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/image_1575c9.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-790505" style="width:173px;height:auto" /></figure>   She added, “A big thank you to my coaches: Davis, Bella, Mia, and Caroline for always encouraging me to grow and for coaching us through a season we'll never forget. And thank you to all the coaches who helped me improve my skills and technique, Sean, Jimmy, Nilay, Luis, Allan, David, Tina, Maricris, Räki Volleyball, and Coach Kiy. To my teammates: your relentless dedication pushed me to elevate my game every single practice.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='747342' first='Reese' last='Booth'], setter for Rage 14 Toa, leaned into communication and team rhythm heading into Nationals. Her focus was on starting strong and keeping her squad connected through high-pressure moments. “When the games got tight, I stayed calm, and it helped my team stay calm too.” She delivered that poise during a dramatic comeback for a medal, erasing an 8–14 deficit in the third set. “That game brought so much joy. We fought so hard.” Reese showed exactly what you want in a young setter: composure, fight, and a feel for big moments. Reflecting on the journey, she shared, “Thank you for an amazing season. We all grew so much this year. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish in the future.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='579939' first='Keniah' last='Verduzco'] faced the top seed in the USA Division with maturity and confidence. The VVA 15 Weichmann setter helped guide her team through each match with a focus on energy, trust, and staying mentally strong. “We knew we had to fight every match like it was a championship,” she said. Even under pressure, she led with clarity and creativity. “This tournament taught me how to stay sharp while leading my offense against amazing teams.” That level of perspective and control shows she's already developing into a next-level leader. Keniah added, “I'm so grateful to my coaches for always trusting me and pushing me to my athletic abilities, and to VVA for allowing me to be part of this amazing roster. We brought home the silver! Go VVA!”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='694831' first='Emma' last='Lum Lee'] led Apex1 15 Black with a strong foundation of fundamentals and faith. “We started near the bottom, ranked in the 90s. We never expected to make it this far, but we trusted the process.” That trust paid off as her team reached the Gold Bracket and showed flashes of what's ahead. “This gave me confidence and reminded me that with God and hard work, anything is possible.” Her gratitude and leadership shine through, on and off the court. “I'm so thankful and blessed for Coach Gus, Coach Trina, Coach Mia, and Coach Tinei, and my amazing Apex1 family. Your guidance and support mean the world to me. You've helped me grow not only as an athlete but also in my love for the game. To my teammates: we've come such a long way, and I truly believe this is only the beginning. Let's keep working hard, trusting the process, and remembering that with God, all things are possible!”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='508845' first='Victoria' last='Keller'], setter for Omni 15 Elite, emphasized mental work just as much as reps. Her team leaned into tools from their coach's “Mindset Matters” program to stay unified in pressure moments. “At first it felt like a lot of pressure but we earned our spot here, just like everyone else.” Her standout match came against an undefeated Arizona Sky team. “It was one of our best games of the season. We kept our energy high and played for each other.” Victoria's combination of emotional maturity and competitive grit makes her a standout to watch.   Reflecting on the journey, she shared, “After moving from Southern California to Northern California, I was so nervous for club tryouts and how everything was going to shake out but my amazing teammates and coaches made me feel so welcome. I couldn't have asked for a better team, and I'm so proud of everything we accomplished. I've met some of my best friends through volleyball this season, and I'm so happy I had the opportunity to play on this team.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='702994' first='Kayla' last='Lalezari'] approached GJNC with a daily improvement mindset. “We focused on the little things, our health, our motivation just getting better each day,” she said. While nerves were high, Kayla stayed grounded in the moment. “I knew I had to make the most of it because it was our last time playing together.” That awareness gave her focus, and her ability to stay present is part of what makes her an efficient, calm court presence. Reflecting on the experience, she added, “My team was the biggest support and made the tournament so much more fun!”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='528320' first='Elle' last='Howie'], opposite for Tstreet 15-Wes, thrived on structure and intention. Her team studied film, scouted opponents, and drilled fundamentals. “Mental toughness and communication were just as important as physical training.” Their group became the only Tstreet team across all locations to make the Gold Bracket on Championship Day. “We didn't take a single point for granted.”   Elle played with pride, urgency, and joy, qualities that elevated her team and proved she could perform at the highest level. She added, “Shoutout to Coach Cesar, who came in halfway through our season and made all the difference for us! We love you!”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='782656' first='Giselle' last='Millsap'] stepped up as a clutch performer for Seal Beach 15 Black. “We focused on finishing every set strong. That gave us momentum and belief,” she said. In the Gold Bracket final, her team sealed the win, and Giselle soaked in the moment. “It was a feeling you can't replicate. We fought so hard, and then we heard the announcer call out Seal Beach as the Patriot champions.” That grit and drive shows up in how she competes, and how she celebrates the process. “I'm so thankful to have such amazing coaches at Seal Beach, and the community built through our team is something I've never experienced before. I wouldn't trade it for the world.”   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/image_80cb06.png" alt="" class="wp-image-790507" style="width:191px;height:auto" /></figure>   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_b3bd7c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770392" /></figure>     ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   July marks a key transition: club tryouts are here, and high school season is just around the corner. It's the perfect time to read more articles, build confidence, and support prospects by sharing this article.   To our incredible subscribers — thank you for being such an essential part of this journey. Together, we're growing the game, one rep, one article, and one athlete at a time.   This movement is powered by the village — athletes, coaches, families, and the community that believes in what's possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

At GJNC, the tempo was fast, the stakes were high, and it was the setters and right sides who helped stabilize the chaos. Competing in the Gold Bracket on Championship Day, these athletes thrived under pressure, controlling tempo, converting tough balls into kills, and leading with poise. I had the chance to speak with several of them off the court, and their reflections revealed not only a deep understanding of the game, but also a hunger to grow and a calm-under-pressure mentality that every college program is looking for.