Olena has been on my radar since the Libero Watch List in Salt Lake City in April 2025, and her GJNC medal count already reads bronze in 2023, silver in 2024 and bronze in 2025. Before the quarterfinal she told me she wanted to command the back row with her voice. She carries that same goal into the final. That is a libero who understands what her team needs from her.

Olena’s Voice “One personal goal I’m bringing in to this CIF final is to command the back row and keep the energy as high as possible while doing everything I can to help the team win. It means so much to me to be able to help bring this team to a CIF final and it just makes the game on Saturday even more special because this is probably the best team we’ve ever had and I’m so lucky to be a part of it.”

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Olena is a libero with GJNC medals from 2023, 2024 and 2025, and she plays club for PCVC 16 Nalu. She plans to command the back row with her voice. Her answer treats communication as a skill and says that stats matter less than getting the team to play as one unit. She was on my April 2025 Libero Watch List at the Salt Lake City Showcase.

Olena’s Voice “My goal in the back row for this quarterfinal matchup against Thousand Oaks is to command the back row with not only my playing, but my voice. Being loud and communicative will really help everyone on my team to do their jobs better. It’s not always about having the best stats, the most touches, or making crazy plays. It’s about letting our team function as one, for one goal. So, I am really communicating for the team to play as one unit. We just need to trust in our abilities and not do anything special. Just play our game when it gets loud.”

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Click to view Olena Harasymowycz Olena Harasymowycz 5'3" | DS/L Newbury Park | 2030 CA

Some qualities simply cannot be taught, and grit is one of them. Olena Harasymowycz Olena Harasymowycz 5'3" | DS/L Newbury Park | 2030 CA competes with a relentless determination to make every play possible, regardless of where the ball takes her. She never looks defeated, never gives up on a rally, and consistently approaches every point with the mindset that the next touch belongs to her. Coaches can refine technique and improve mechanics, but the competitive drive Olena brings to the court is something athletes either have or they don’t. She has had it for a very long time, and it shows every time she steps on the floor.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Olena Harasymowycz is a player already preparing before the whistle. After studying film and learning that an opposing setter liked to dump from the front row, she entered the match ready and turned that preparation into multiple defensive stops.

That type of anticipation is rare at her age.

She also talks about taking up more of the court, especially in the middle of the floor, allowing her setters to stay in system and trust her to own more space.

With her team already double-bidded in both USA and Open, and Nationals ahead against some of the best teams in the country, Olena’s game already reflects preparation, confidence, and a growing ability to control the backcourt well beyond her years.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Olena Harasymowycz Olena Harasymowycz 5'3" | DS/L Newbury Park | 2030 CA : Social Media Star of the Week

💡 Game You’re Proud Of
I feel like I stand out because of my loud communication, my high energy and effort, and my team-first attitude.

📲 Why This Post Mattered
While I am class of 2030 and am just starting my recruitment journey, having visibility has helped my recruitment by giving myself exposure in watchlists, rankings, and more social media things to get my name out there. My motivation in creating this post is to really try to show recruiters and important people in the volleyball world my skills and strengths.

🧠 What Coaches Should Know
I would like college coaches to know that I am a very coachable player and I can take constructive criticism very well.

Olena Harasymowycz Olena Harasymowycz 5'3" | DS/L Newbury Park | 2030 CA

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

As one of the youngest defenders at the showcase, Olena Harasymowycz played with a level of composure and confidence well beyond her years. She moved smoothly to even the toughest balls, making difficult plays look routine.

Her reads on attackers were sharp, her tip coverage was consistent, and her effort never wavered. She played every rally all out, showing the kind of instincts and motor that separate high-level defenders.

Olena Harasymowycz Olena Harasymowycz 5'3" | DS/L Newbury Park | 2030 CA manages the backcourt with steady communication and visible composure. Her constant, loud presence organizes serve receive and defensive coverage, and her ability to remain calm in high-pressure moments allows her teammates to settle into their roles. She is intentionally expanding her jump float by rehearsing mechanics at home without a ball, building repetition so execution becomes automatic in match play. Her club-season focus centers on being a reliable teammate who lifts energy when momentum dips, while competing for a medal at Nationals. Off the court, her brown belt in Jeet Kune Do reflects discipline and body control that translate directly into defensive stability.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

Olena Harasymowycz Olena Harasymowycz 5'3" | DS/L Newbury Park | 2030 CA | DS / Libero

Harasymowycz is pure grit and control in the back row. Her platform angles are textbook, and she consistently delivers pinpoint passes that allow her hitters to stay in rhythm. What set her apart was her ability to read hitters and anticipate swings, giving her an edge in digging tough line and sharp cross shots. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

Expect this club season: elevated defensive command and a more vocal presence directing traffic.

Olena is taking more court, over-communicating seams, and adding hand passing to her toolbox. At the showcase she was everywhere, making smart reads and high-level moves that stood out. “A personal goal of mine for this upcoming season is to really work on hand passing,” she shared, and she backed it up in person. Her leadership shows in her talk and the way she commands the back row.

Fun fact: She played competitive softball for five years and led her All-Star team in on-base percentage.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247