Gabriella Cruz was named Top Performing Right Side at the July SoCal Freshman Showcase, where she stayed composed on first contact and kept her team in system with controlled touches. She competes for every point and communicates constantly, and she sees herself as a natural leader who stays positive no matter the situation. One coaching adjustment taught her to focus entirely on the next point.

At Granada Hills, she’s learning that commitment reaches well beyond the court.

“One thing that’s been different from what I expected about playing at the high school level is definitely how much time and commitment it really takes. Between all of the practices, games, homework, and studying, I sometimes have to sacrifice my free time or miss out on doing the fun things with my friends. It can be hard to balance everything, especially when I want to do well in school and still make memories with my best friends. There have been times where doing it all doesn’t seem possible but I know that with time and dedication it all will slowly come together.

I’m adjusting by learning how to manage my time better, staying organized with schoolwork, and making the most of the free time I do have. Even though I sometimes have to sacrifice free time or miss out on things, I know it’s always worth it because I genuinely love volleyball. At the end of the day I know the sacrifices are worth it because of how much I love this sport. Being able to play the sport I love, improve day by day, and be part of my team makes all of the time and hard work worth it.”

She understands what it takes to sustain a commitment, not just start one. Time management and organization are the habits that carry a student-athlete through a college schedule, and she’s building them now. Coaches should notice a freshman whose love for the game is already strong enough to outweigh what it costs.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Gabriella Cruz competes for every single point, and she backs that up with constant communication that makes things easier for everyone around her on the court. She considers herself a natural leader, someone who gets along easily with teammates and stays positive no matter the situation. A coaching adjustment taught her to focus entirely on the next point, and that mental reset has done more than steady her game, it’s brought out other qualities in her too, like leadership and consistency. Cruz is excited about the jump to a higher, more competitive level of volleyball this freshman year, and she’s motivated by watching her own progress alongside her team’s growth as a whole. Her goals for her debut season include earning playing time and becoming a trustworthy piece of her team, with an eye on making varsity by her sophomore year, and she’s looking for a college program with a strong team culture and a coach known for developing players.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Gabriella Cruz named Top Performing Right Side at 7/31/26 SoCal Freshman Showcase, Irvine, Ca.

Gabriella Cruz displayed strong ball control throughout the showcase. She remained composed on first contact and helped keep her team in system with controlled touches.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247