Amelia Houtzer’s biggest jump this season has been in her shot selection. She went from essentially one swing to a full arsenal, line, deep cross, tips into open court, and that range is what’s let her score against bigger, more physical blocks instead of getting shut down by them. That same growth shows up in her communication, which she credits to the discipline she’s built through balancing volleyball, swimming, and school. She talks about a certain competitive gear that shows up in big moments, a level of confidence and trust in her teammates that lets her take full swings even when a match gets tight, and that mentality is exactly what’s driving her shot variety forward.

This summer she’s attending college camps and focusing on ball control, hand contact, approach timing, and consistent serve receive, all while prioritizing strength training, nutrition, and recovery. She wants to be remembered as someone who’s honest, accountable, and dependable in the classroom just as much as on the court.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Amelia Houtzer Amelia Houtzer 5'11" | OH/DS/L Saint Francis | 2029 State CA has become a much more complete volleyball player than she was when this club season began.

One of the biggest areas of growth has been her ability to impact the game even when a kill is not available. She has developed better court vision, become more intentional about creating out-of-system situations for opponents, and added several new shots to her offensive toolbox. A few months ago, some of those options did not exist in her game. Today, she feels comfortable attacking deep cross, high line, 4×4, and her personal favorite, a quick throw to the donut.

The confidence behind those skills did not appear overnight.

Amelia credits her coaches, Tyler and Jalen, with helping expand both her game and her belief in what she is capable of doing on the court. Tyler challenged her to see more possibilities offensively, while Jalen helped her become more confident in serve receive through patience, repetition, and creative training.

Before every serve, Amelia and her fellow passers squeeze each other’s hands before the whistle. It is a small gesture, but it reflects something important about how she views pressure situations. While some athletes become isolated when matches tighten up, Amelia leans into the relationships around her. Trusting teammates, encouraging each other, and staying connected helps her perform with confidence when the match becomes uncomfortable.

Her summer schedule will keep her busy. Between camps, showcases, and additional training opportunities, Amelia plans to continue investing in both skill development and recovery. She hopes opportunities like UA Next and NTDP become part of her future, but her approach remains focused on daily improvement and making sure every rep contributes to long-term growth.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Amelia Houtzer Amelia Houtzer 5'11" | OH/DS/L Saint Francis | 2029 State CA is expanding her scoring range, showing the ability to adjust within rallies and find points in different areas of the court. She mixes in off-speed shots with intent, using placement and tempo to create opportunities when the rally extends.

Her communication is consistent and detailed, helping her team stay aware of patterns, tendencies, and positioning on both sides of the ball. That level of awareness allows her team to make better decisions and stay one step ahead.

She continues to develop her attacking versatility, building confidence in multiple swing options that make her a more complete and unpredictable offensive presence.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Amelia Houtzer Amelia Houtzer 5'11" | OH/DS/L Saint Francis | 2029 State CA provided stability in serve receive and stayed composed in first contact situations. Her footwork allowed her to transition quickly into offense, where she made smart decisions with the ball. She did not rely on power alone, instead working around the block and using shots to stay efficient. Her ability to stay balanced and make controlled choices helped her team stay in system.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Amelia Houtzer Amelia Houtzer 5'11" | OH/DS/L Saint Francis | 2029 State CA brings an evolving offensive skill set shaped by her transition from libero to outside hitter. Her line shot and defensive hustle stand out, reflecting both range as a hitter and the back-row instincts she developed earlier in her career. Houtzer has expanded her offensive options by learning to swing cross court with greater variety, adding sharp and deep angles to complement the line shot that first defined her attacking style. Her development shows a hitter actively working to broaden her scoring toolkit rather than relying on a single pattern. Off the court, Houtzer spent eight years competing in swimming and plans to return to the pool for her high school season, where her strength in breaststroke and individual medley events reflects the endurance and discipline she brings to volleyball.

Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Amelia brought intention to every touch and played with urgency that teammates can feel. She described hitting consistently, setting out of system from the back row, and getting reps in left back, all while trying to spread a win-now edge across the court. MVVC played in five three set matches and went 4 and 1, the kind of weekend where composure becomes a skill, and she leaned into it. Next, she is working on adding a sharp cross court swing from the outside, and she shared detailed coaching cues about footwork, shoulder alignment, and patience, showing she is coachable and process focused. Off the court, she is excited for high school swim tryouts and believes varsity is within reach, returning to a sport she has competed in for years.

Amelia’s next tournament is the Power League Qualifier in Sacramento, January 24 to 25.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247