Durango Pins and Middles to Know

At the Durango Fall Classic, pins and middles lit up the gyms with explosive swings and commanding blocks. They showcased not just power, but also shot selection, defensive presence, and relentless energy. I spoke with several of these athletes, who shared the work they are putting in to elevate their game. Their insights reveal determination, adaptability, and the intangibles that college coaches seek when building competitive programs.    [player_tooltip player_id='700675' first='Baylee' last='Wilson'] is an energetic outside hitter who thrives on big swings and vocal leadership. She has been training to improve her blocking, back-row attacks, and serving power. Her goals include winning rookie of the year while helping Cathedral Catholic continue its state championship tradition.   “Something I want college coaches to know about me is that I will do anything to help my team,” Wilson said. “I love to compete, play in high level situations and I have a lot of energy.” Cathedral Catholic finished tied for 15th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='532572' first='Chayse' last='Courtney'] emphasized defense and serve receive as well as her presence at the net. She has been working on offensive and defensive contributions with a long-term goal of helping her team return to the state championship.   “Our goal this season is to keep working hard every day in hopes of getting back to the State Championship Court,” Courtney said. She also expressed her love of competition and being part of something bigger than herself with her teammates. Archbishop Mitty finished 11th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='391117' first='Nina' last='Hemsley'] sees herself as a leader who brings toughness and creativity. She has been working on expanding her shot selection to score in different ways, using more areas of the court to challenge defenses. She also emphasized keeping her team mentally strong in high-level matches.   “I want college coaches to know I'm very relentless,” Hemsley said. “No matter my situation, I will always fight until the end for the best possible outcome.” That persistence defines her both on and off the court. Etiwanda finished 43rd at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='515418' first='Emilie' last='LaSala'] identified her strength in attacking and the energy she brings to her team. She has been training to improve serve receive and refine her ability to hit around the block. Her goals focus on hustling for every ball and maximizing effort because every point matters.   “One thing I want coaches to know is that I'm the kind of player who puts the team first,” LaSala said. “On the court, I hustle for every ball and compete like every point matters, but I also focus on keeping the court's energy up and being someone they can rely on.” Cathedral Catholic finished tied for 15th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='563684' first='Trinity' last='Naden'] focused on intentional play and execution, working to refine her timing, explosiveness, and ability to find seams in the block. She described listening to her teammates, reading defenses, and being deliberate with every touch of the ball. Her training also included mental preparation, building confidence, and maintaining composure under pressure.   “My goal this season is to be the dependable teammate that my coaches and teammates can rely on in all situations,” Naden said. She wants to lead by example, offer consistent encouragement, and make adjustments quickly. Off the court, she described herself as loyal and family-centered, sharing about weekly “Monday Night Dinners” hosted by her grandparents that bring teammates, friends, and family together. Liberty finished 49th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='885246' first='Belle' last='Dixon'] defined herself by leadership, motivation, and persistence. She has been working to raise her volleyball IQ, spending time in the gym to grow into an all-around player capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. She also sees value in using any opportunity on the court, in practice or in games, to improve.   “I know that, although I'm not as tall as some of the other outside or pin hitters, I can work them and outsmart them by improving my own game and studying theirs,” Dixon said. She prides herself on guiding teammates without seeming demanding and making sure both players on the floor and those on the bench stay engaged. Huntington Beach finished tied for 31st at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='837914' first='Bowie' last='Psait'] described her game as a mix of attacking, serve receive, and leadership. She has been building her communication with teammates, improving her hitting selection, and strengthening her mental preparation. Her goals center on playing with a championship mindset and improving in difficult situations.   “I want to play every game like it's a championship,” Psait said. “I want to get better at hitting the balls that aren't always perfect and have good serve receive to keep my team in system.” She also emphasized being supportive of teammates on and off the court, while staying active and healthy to perform her best. Liberty finished 49th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='412076' first='Lauren' last='Furnald'] described her role as a six-rotation pin who leads through composure and communication. She has been improving her serving, passing, defense, and quickness in attack, with particular attention to her shot selection and placement.   “This game holds a special place in my heart,” Furnald said. “I love the work, the grind, my teammates, and the joy that it brings to my life.” Her goals include winning league, competing for CIF, and continuing to grow as both a player and teammate. Etiwanda finished 43rd at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='694132' first='Harper' last='Goff'] described herself as a hitter who balances blocking and offense with leadership and team connection. She has been raising her volleyball IQ, working on decision making, and learning how to terminate plays even in tough rallies.   “One goal I have set for myself is rising to be a great leader and teammate,” Goff said. “Not just connecting with my teammates on the court but also in the classroom and outside of school.” She added that she values being coachable and competitive, always eager for feedback to keep improving. Cathedral Catholic finished tied for 15th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='569626' first='Neve' last='Harlan'] emphasized smart hitting and versatility. She has been working on improving her passing and making strong shot selections, all while focusing on limiting unforced errors. Her goals included keeping her team steady across long matches.   “I want college coaches to know that I am a very versatile player and a very defensive outside,” Harlan said. That adaptability allows her to contribute in multiple ways across the court. St. Ignatius finished 35th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='748232' first='Charlie' last='Lucky-Mitchell'] takes pride in versatility, contributing in any role and rotation. She has been working on increasing her vertical, sharpening back-row play, and building her mental toughness by creating high-pressure situations in practice.   “I want to be the kind of teammate who lifts others up and sets the standard through my actions,” she said. Lucky-Mitchell also described how growing up in a single-mother household taught her the importance of teamwork, comparing family responsibilities to the way a team shares the load. Huntington Beach finished tied for 31st at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='887543' first='Kaila' last='Nassar'] described herself as a middle and opposite who brings blocking and leadership to the floor. She has been raising her volleyball IQ and learning to manage rallies by choosing smarter swings. Her goals include helping her team advance further in playoffs and becoming a trusted leader.   “I choose to learn from my faults, and grow from them. I know I am better than one single mistake,” Nassar said. She also described herself as bubbly and positive, using humor and energy to keep her team moving forward. Etiwanda finished 43rd at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='818613' first='Bianca' last='Slone'] highlighted blocking and serving as key parts of her game. She has been working to raise her volleyball IQ and push both herself and her teammates to higher levels. With experience as a dual-sport athlete, she carries athleticism and competitiveness that translate to volleyball.   “I am really excited for this season because I really enjoy playing volleyball and I am considering playing in college,” Slone said. Her background includes years of varsity basketball and volleyball along with high-level club experience, which give her a broad perspective as she continues to grow in the game. Cathedral Catholic finished tied for 15th at Durango. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='839647' first='Taylor' last='Gayer'] described her game around blocking, attacking, and competitive energy. She has been working on confidence, mental perseverance, and execution, setting measurable goals such as hitting and passing percentages.   “I take volleyball very serious and I love the game,” Gayer said. “I'm dedicated, confident, and love the game more than anything.” Her Liberty team finished 49th at Durango. ~ 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 is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/image_cf4e03.png" alt="" class="wp-image-885470" style="width:125px;height:auto" /></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" />   September high school volleyball is in full swing, and athletes are already making statements on the national stage. The Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest tournaments in the country, highlighting programs and players who rose to the challenge. Next up is the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona, another premier stage where athletes will continue to showcase growth, leadership, and competitive drive. It is the perfect time to read, share, and support their journey as they compete in front of college coaches and elevate their game against top-tier competition.   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.   🎯 College Coaches — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We're tracking their performance, growth, and impact through Recruitable Credentials — earned indicators college coaches recognize. Follow their journey with us and connect with athletes built for the next level.   🙏 Parents & Supporters — Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

At the Durango Fall Classic, pins and middles lit up the gyms with explosive swings and commanding blocks. They showcased not just power, but also shot selection, defensive presence, and relentless energy. I spoke with several of these athletes, who shared the work they are putting in to elevate their game. Their insights reveal determination, adaptability, and the intangibles that college coaches seek when building competitive programs.