💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you?
My role as a middle blocker is huge. I’m in charge of the front row when it comes to blocking. Being the first line of defense means I’m either slowing things down with a touch or shutting them down with a block before they ever reach our back row. I elevate the players around me by constantly reminding them how amazing they are and helping them keep a “next play” mentality. This game is all about mistakes, and it comes down to who makes fewer of them.

🧠 In high-pressure moments, what’s your mindset and how do you stay composed?
I remind myself and my teammates to take it one point at a time. The play isn’t over until the whistle blows, and the game isn’t over until we reach 25 points or win by 2. That helps us stay present and focused.

💪🏽 What’s something specific you’ve been working to add to your game this season, and why?
I’ve been working on becoming more versatile in my swing when attacking the ball. I want to keep opponents guessing and make myself less predictable.

🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture?
They’d probably say I’m talkative, silly, positive, affectionate, and upbeat. I bring hard work, dedication, determination, leadership, joy, inclusiveness, compassion, and humility to our team culture.

💥 What’s a fun fact about you that you’d want college coaches to know?
Although Spanish is not my first language, I attended dual immersion schools from preschool through 8th grade. I’m now bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

💡 How would you describe your role on the court, and what do you do to elevate the players around you?
My role as a middle blocker is huge. I’m in charge of the front row when it comes to blocking. Being the first line of defense means I’m either slowing things down with a touch or shutting them down with a block before they ever reach our back row. I elevate the players around me by constantly reminding them how amazing they are and helping them keep a “next play” mentality. This game is all about mistakes, and it comes down to who makes fewer of them.

🧠 In high-pressure moments, what’s your mindset and how do you stay composed?
I remind myself and my teammates to take it one point at a time. The play isn’t over until the whistle blows, and the game isn’t over until we reach 25 points or win by 2. That helps us stay present and focused.

💪🏽 What’s something specific you’ve been working to add to your game this season, and why?
I’ve been working on becoming more versatile in my swing when attacking the ball. I want to keep opponents guessing and make myself less predictable.

🌟 Off the court, how would your coaches and teammates describe you, and what personal qualities do you bring to a team culture?
They’d probably say I’m talkative, silly, positive, affectionate, and upbeat. I bring hard work, dedication, determination, leadership, joy, inclusiveness, compassion, and humility to our team culture.

💥 What’s a fun fact about you that you’d want college coaches to know?
Although Spanish is not my first language, I attended dual immersion schools from preschool through 8th grade. I’m now bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247