Bryn Gardiner is already reading the game at the level she just stepped into. In her first weeks of high school volleyball, she identified the two adjustments that matter most for a young outside: bigger blocks at the net and tougher serves coming at her in serve receive. That awareness is where adaptation starts, and she named both the attacking and passing demands of the position, not just one side of it.

She also noticed something many freshmen overlook: the culture around her.

“As a freshman playing at the high school level, the blockers are a lot bigger than my age group in club, and the serves are also much tougher on serve receive. I was really happy to find that my team is so close and connected. Unlike a lot of teams, we don’t have any unhealthy cliques and everyone really supports everyone, no matter their year in school. I am adjusting well to the high level of play and can’t wait to transfer my high school experiences into club!”

She plays with a confidence that shows in how she talks about the jump, and she pays attention to what makes a team work. A freshman who values a connected locker room is likely to help build one. Coaches should watch how her serve receive and shot selection against bigger blocks develop when she brings these reps back to club.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Bryn Gardiner keeps her game simple and her focus locked in. Hitting is what she’s known for, but she’s putting in daily work on her passing, and her teammates describe her as someone who stays locked in no matter the moment.

Bryn is just beginning to learn about recruiting, with Division 1 volleyball as her goal. Outside of volleyball, she sings and plays piano.

Cathedral Catholic finished 13th overall.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Bryn Gardiner Bryn Gardiner 6'0" | OH Cathedral Catholic | 2030 CA attacks with confidence and understands how to score against a formed block. Rather than forcing swings into defenders, she works around the block with intelligent shot selection while maintaining an aggressive mindset. She remains steady from the service line, applying pressure without sacrificing consistency, and competes with the kind of vocal energy every team appreciates. Her constant encouragement of teammates reflects the confidence she brings to the court, making her an athlete whose leadership matches her offensive production.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Bryn Gardiner Bryn Gardiner 6'0" | OH Cathedral Catholic | 2030 CA selected for NTDP Girls Indoor Training Series U16 Division – Colorado Springs, Colorado