The block never had a good read on Emmie Cole Emmie Cole 5'8" | S/RS St. Mary Magdalen School | 2031 CA throughout the Prep Dig Up Next SoCal Showcase and that is one of the more honest compliments you can pay a setter at any level. The release point she generates from her height creates a problem that technique alone cannot fully solve for a defense and she used it throughout the entire session with an intentionality that went well beyond just being tall. Her location calls showed real variety and the bulleyes she hit were consistent enough that her hitters approached with confidence every time. She was vocal and engaged throughout the entire event and led with a presence on the floor that was felt well beyond the players directly in her system.

Emmie Coles says “If things get messy, I don’t panic.” For a young setter, that is powerful. Her responses carried the voice of someone who already understands that calm can be contagious. The 2031 LAVA West setter and opposite takes pride in reading the game, making smart decisions when passes are off target, and finding ways to keep hitters in rhythm even when the play starts broken. Her example of moving her feet, squaring up, and still delivering a hittable ball says plenty about where her game is headed.

Cole’s mental approach may be what separates her most right now. She talks about slowing herself down, focusing on one point at a time, and not trying to fix the entire match all at once. Coaching feedback around footwork is already showing up in cleaner movement and better balance to target. Accountability, composure, and a desire to keep improving came through in nearly every answer.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Emmie Cole Emmie Cole 5'8" | S/RS St. Mary Magdalen School | 2031 CA , a setter from St. Mary Magdalen School, showed both hustle and precision at the SoCal UpNext Showcase. She explained that she had been working on making her sets more accurate and consistent, especially when the pass was off-target, saying she wanted to “hustle to the ball, square up and put it in the perfect spot for my hitters to make a play.” Playing alongside athletes from different schools gave her the chance to test her decision-making with a variety of hitters and challenge herself to make smarter choices on the fly.

She described herself as a setter who is “always positive, hustles for every ball, makes smart plays and never gives up,” and that energy was evident in how she carried herself throughout the event. Her tall, lean frame gave her natural strength in her hands, and once she consistently engages her legs, her setting will become even more dynamic. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Congratulations to Emmie Cole Emmie Cole 5'8" | S/RS St. Mary Magdalen School | 2031 CA , Class of 2031, for being named a Top Performer at the SoCal UpNext Showcase!

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