Among the Elite: Top Athletes Are 10 Days Out

<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: TripleCrown</a>   With 10 days remaining until Triple Crown NIT, preparation becomes more intentional and more internal. The foundation has already been built. Now, athletes are fine tuning details, sharpening their mindset, and trusting the habits for the big stage.   Top athletes share how they are approaching these final days, what they are focused on refining, and the advice they believe matters most heading into one of the most competitive weekends on the recruiting calendar. Their words reflect confidence, self awareness, and an understanding that readiness is about more than performance, it is about presence.   This series is written for athletes, by athletes. These reflections offer an authentic look at preparation through the athlete's lens, capturing the mindset, discipline, and perspective required to compete when the stakes are highest.    Julia Masselink is preparing for Triple Crown with a balanced and disciplined approach that touches every part of her game. Physically, she is staying consistent with strength work, conditioning, and sport specific training to ensure she is ready to compete through a long and demanding tournament. Mentally, she is focused on setting small goals, learning from past performances, and maintaining a calm, confident mindset so pressure does not disrupt her play. With her team, the emphasis has been on communication and chemistry, building trust through extra reps, shared expectations, and consistent support.   On the court, Julia is most excited to showcase her passing. She takes pride in being someone her team can rely on in serve receive and defense and has worked hard on staying composed under pressure, reading servers, and controlling the ball to keep the offense in system. Her personal goals for the tournament center on consistency, dependability, and confidence, especially in serve receive. She wants to be a steady presence, communicate clearly, bring positive energy, and support her teammates through every moment of the weekend.   Her advice to other athletes is rooted in preparation and sustainability. She emphasizes prioritizing sleep, fueling the body with balanced meals and hydration, staying emotionally even after wins and losses, and sticking to familiar routines to manage nerves. Julia also highlights the importance of nightly recovery through stretching and cooling down, reminding athletes to trust their preparation and enjoy the experience.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='765096' first='Sarah' last='Floyd'] is approaching Triple Crown with a clear focus on growth and attention to detail. Her preparation has centered on sharpening the areas of her game that demand the most discipline, including front line blocking responsibilities, staying active in coverage, and helping create strong double blocks. She has also been working to improve her back row attack, focusing on clean contact and driving through the ball to finish plays. Mentally, Sarah is committed to staying focused and tough, especially during the most challenging moments of a match. As a team, TAV continues to emphasize connection, energy, and building a strong bond both on and off the court.   She is especially excited to showcase her blocking, while also bringing consistent effort and energy on every point. Her personal goals are clearly defined, placing an emphasis on purposeful shot placement, impacting the game at the net, and being a reliable offensive option throughout the tournament.   Sarah's advice highlights the importance of recovery and routine. She encourages athletes to prioritize sleep, take recovery seriously through icing and body care, and lean into simple habits that help manage nerves, whether through music, stretching, or pregame routines. She also stresses the value of mental preparation, reminding athletes that staying driven and focused across multiple days can create an edge for both individuals and teams.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     Isabel Incinelli and her team are entering Triple Crown with a strong emphasis on togetherness. Her preparation has been focused on getting quality reps while dialing in the small details that help a team function as a unit. For Isabel, the goal is not only physical readiness but also feeling connected to her teammates on the court.   She is most excited to play freely and show more of her emotional and energetic side of the game. Her personal goal for the tournament is simple and team centered, to play as hard as possible and be the best teammate she can be in every situation.   Isabel's advice reflects an understanding of the demands of a long tournament. She encourages athletes to stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, and commit to daily recovery through stretching and proper nutrition. Her perspective reinforces the importance of taking care of the body so it can continue to perform at a high level throughout the weekend.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='888357' first='Kendall' last='Omoruyi']'s preparation for Triple Crown has been rooted in intensity and competitiveness. Her team has been fully locked in during practices, making every rep count and maintaining a high level of competition in the gym. Kendall's focus has been on honing her skills and maximizing each training session to ensure she is ready to perform when it matters most.   She is especially excited to showcase her energy and court presence this season. Kendall wants to play with joy, bring confidence to the court, and show the progress she has made since last year. Her personal goal for the tournament is to be the best version of herself and reflect the work she has consistently put in over the past year.   Her advice to other athletes is straightforward and practical. She emphasizes the importance of rest and being mindful of nutrition, encouraging athletes to avoid heavy foods that can slow them down and to prioritize recovery so they can stay explosive and energized throughout the tournament.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='586653' first='Maya' last='Ogbogu'] is preparing for Triple Crown through a combination of physical work and intentional mental training. Her team has been practicing consistently while also focusing on building strong connections off the court. Individually, Maya has incorporated meditation and journaling into her routine, using reflection to stay grounded while continuing to improve specific areas of her game.   She is excited to showcase new shot selections and her back row attack, adding dimension to her offensive game. While winning remains important, Maya's goals extend beyond immediate results. She is focused on long term growth, ensuring that Triple Crown is a step forward in her development rather than a peak, with Nationals still ahead.   Her advice centers on mindset and recovery. Maya encourages athletes to adopt a growth mindset, understanding that great teams will score points and mistakes are part of the game. She stresses the importance of moving on quickly, maintaining a next play mentality, and committing to recovery through icing, stretching, and body care, especially as the physical toll of the tournament adds up over multiple days.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    With 10 days to go until Triple Crown, the Among the Elite series continues to spotlight how top athletes are preparing mentally, physically, and as teammates for one of the most competitive weekends on the recruiting calendar. These athletes will be interviewed onsite at the NIT, where we'll continue highlighting their preparation, mindset, and tournament experience. Stay tuned as the countdown continues and the nation's best take the court in Kansas City.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If 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. We continue tracking their growth and impact through Recruitable Credentials, the indicators coaches trust. 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