Top Ten Teams: Voices From 16 Open Elite Athletes

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This article is made possible by PrepDig subscribers. Thank you! ~ You can join with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a>   The 2026 NorCal Winter Classic is where top teams came to compete, and the athletes below helped their teams finish in the top 10. What matters most is not just how they performed, it is how they processed it.   Each player took time after the tournament to reflect in her own words, sharing what she did to impact winning, what she is intentionally working on next, and who she is beyond volleyball. These are athlete-led evaluations, curated for college coaches who value self-awareness, decision-making, accountability, and a clear improvement mindset, the exact traits that translate when the game speeds up.    Keniah's weekend was defined by energy, tempo, and defense, and she made it clear she wanted to be fierce. As a setter, she pushed herself to take her defense to a new level and bring faster pace, and she credits that combination for helping her team reach the championship and go 10 and 0. Next, she is focused on consistency while keeping that fast tempo, a key target for setters who want to run an offense that holds up against elite serving pressure. Off the court, she is proudly outgoing and just earned her driver's permit, a milestone that always feels like freedom.   Keniah's next tournament is NCVA Power League in San Mateo, January 31 to February 1.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Genevie's reflection reads like a setter who understands momentum and responsibility. After a rocky first day, she came back on day two with a fresh mindset, went for every ball, and took smart risks with setting and hitting to help her team regain belief. In their toughest match, she made bold decisions to feed the best hitters in each situation against a disciplined block and defense, and she credits those choices for changing the team's energy and confidence. Next, she is locked in on seeing the opponent block sooner and setting to create the fewest blockers possible, a next-level setter detail that shows where her mind is headed. Off the court, she is proud of building real student-athlete balance, finishing her first semester strong after learning how to manage increased academic load and practice demands.   Genevie's next tournament is the NCVA 15 Power League Qualifier, January 24 to 25.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Maliah set the tone at the net and led her team in blocks, while also taking ownership as an organizer and on-court stabilizer. She describes being assertive and supportive, the kind of middle presence coaches trust when matches get tight. Her next step is tightening her connection with setters and staying disciplined with spacing in both blocking and attacking, which is often what separates good middles from dependable ones. Off the court, she is excited about her mental growth this season, feeling more confident, more vocal, and more trusting of herself in pressure moments.   Maliah's next tournament is the NCVA Power League, January 24 to 25 at Cal Expo.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Ella impacted matches through consistency and net presence, and she gave specific moments where she delivered when it mattered, including a crucial kill in the semifinal against Academy 16 West and key terminating swings in final sets. She also highlighted block touches that slowed opposing attacks, which coaches know is a hidden stat that changes everything. She understands what it takes to earn and hold the first seed over three days and is already framing lessons from losses as fuel, not frustration. Next, she is focused on disciplined base work and higher blocking effectiveness, a clear developmental target. Off the court, she was nominated, accepted, and inducted into National Honor Society for leadership, character, and service.   Ella's next tournament is the NCVA Power League Qualifier, January 31 through February 1.   ~ 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     Isabella played with confidence, energy, and an intentional focus on being selfless, treating her teammates' success like her own. Her weekend showed real versatility, stepping into middle when a teammate got injured, then contributing with blocking and steady emotional presence when her team needed it. She is proud of blocking and adaptability, but what stands out is her commitment to supporting teammates through tough stretches, not just scoring. Next, she wants to become a more efficient blocker by reading the setter and anticipating hitter movement, and she shared a memorable coaching cue that will stick with her, moving quickly to the pin on a bad pass and lining up to take away angles. Off the court, she was recommended for her school's Peer Helping program, a step toward becoming a TA.   Isabella's next tournament is the NCVA Power League Qualifier, January 24 to 25.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Izzy called the weekend intense and an amazing learning experience. Her focus was clear, hit line, score to deep corners out of system, and pursue every ball. Her standout moment was chasing down a ball, diving, and keeping it alive right before it hit the floor, a play that shifted momentum and helped win the point. That is a competitive habit coaches love because it is transferable at every level. Next, she is dialing in her hand contact, spreading her fingers and wrapping her hand around the ball, and she plans to make it a conscious practice priority this week. Off the court, she is riding the wave of good winter surf and getting time in the water with her dad near Bolinas and Stinson Beach, a fun reset in a busy schedule. H   Izzy's next tournament is the NCVA Power League Qualifier, January 24 to 25.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Iman's weekend was about learning and becoming more complete. She had a lot of kills with minimal errors, took big swings, and loved running plays like an S2 to throw blockers off, especially valuable with a new roster still building chemistry. She also showed real maturity by calling out the opposite hitter trap of trying to terminate every ball, and she is actively improving shot selection because she wants to keep defenses guessing. Next, she is committed to being unpredictable, adding power tips and deep corner pushes so opponents cannot camp and wait for the same swing. Off the court, she is working on launching a nonprofit to host volleyball clinics for underserved communities, creating access to a sport that can be financially out of reach, while also earning service hours through something she genuinely loves.   Iman's next tournament is the NCVA Power League Qualifier, January 24 to 25.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Jordyn stepped up in tough rotations and was proud of producing points through back row attacks, a valuable weapon when the game gets chaotic. She also emphasized serve receive, delivering balls to target so the offense could stay in system with three true options, and she credited defense for making everything easier for her team. Next, she is focused on raising her game IQ, specifically out of system decision making, tips, reading hitters from the back row, and improving block timing by watching hitters. She also wants to become more vocal and grow into leadership, which is a powerful self-identified growth area for a young pin. Off the court, she described herself as disciplined and eager to learn, and she shared major early success, making varsity as a freshman, earning all Delta League, and being named team MVP.   Jordyn's next tournament is the NCVA Power League Qualifier, January 24 to 25.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Isabella felt she played well all weekend and highlighted a strong connection with her setters that turned into kills and offensive rhythm. She brought energy and helped keep momentum high, while also serving aggressively and consistently to apply pressure and score aces. Next, she wants to expand her hitter toolbox by mixing up shots, seeing the block earlier, and making smarter, more intentional choices based on what she is being shown. Off the court, she made varsity basketball, earned a starting spot, and credits the sport with improving her speed, movement, and mental approach, which often translates beautifully to volleyball.   Isabella's next tournament is Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City, February 14 to 16.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Anaya's weekend was built on a complete outside hitter toolkit. She was proud of her offensive toolbox, including power tipping and tooling the block, and she led her team in hitting percentage. She also highlighted her defensive reading, watching approach and arm swing to position early, and she led her team in digs as an outside, which speaks to range and responsibility. Next, she is targeting transition speed, getting off the net quickly after blocking or defending so she can be available for every offensive opportunity, and she is attacking it through footwork and consistency in long rallies. Off the court, she is running track for Sacred Heart, competing in the 4x100, long jump, and triple jump, building speed, explosiveness, and disciplined recovery.   Anaya's next tournament is the Power League Qualifier, January 24 to 25.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Cassandra described steady growth across the weekend and set a clear goal, reverse the flow by staying engaged, getting her feet to the ball, and creating consistent opportunities for her hitters. She believes she did that, helping her team execute cleaner and compete at a higher level as the tournament progressed. Next, she is focused on better identifying the best option to side out and score in each setting situation, a decision making skill that elevates both the setter and the entire offense. Off the court, she takes pride in discipline and work ethic, and she finished her first sophomore semester with a 4.0 GPA, balancing academics and athletics with consistency.   Cassandra's next tournament is the NCVA Power League Qualifier, January 31 to February 1.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Sitara competed up as a 15s team playing 16s, and her tone showed fearless buy in. She was proud of taking on the challenge head on and anchoring front row defense with blocking designed to slow down strong offenses so her team could run their own. One moment she highlighted was using herself as a decoy when they were down in the second set, drawing the opposing middle away to open one on one chances for her pins, and it worked, flipping the set and winning the match. That is a middle who understands impact beyond kills. Next, she is focused on lining up with the hitter, dropping the inside arm to take away sharp cross, and sharpening her eye work with the ball setter ball hitter sequence. Off the court, she loves time with friends and training with her sister who plays college volleyball, and she is proud of turning a corner in computer science, a class she once struggled with.   Her next tournament is Power League Qualifier 1 at Cal Expo in Sacramento.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"> You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   🔥 Players Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to take the next step? 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. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility matters.   🎯 College Coaches Tag these athletes in University Athlete and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. 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