Michelle Bamford’s (Lampkin) journey in volleyball began in the 9th grade, which, by today's standards, is considered a rather late start for learning a sport. It all began during a sleepover at her friend's house when her friend was going to volleyball practice the following morning. Curiosity led Michelle to tag along, and to her surprise, the coach extended an invitation for her to join the team as a Middle Blocker. Despite never having touched a ball before, Michelle displayed an uncanny ability to grasp the sport instantaneously, channeling her focus entirely into mastering the fundamentals.

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Once again, Michelle eagerly accompanied her friend as they ventured to try out for the Zuma Bay Volleyball Club. Despite having participated in just a single junior high season comprising four games, she remarkably secured a spot on a club team as an Outside Hitter. Coming from a single-parent household, the cost of playing club volleyball was a significant challenge, but Michelle was determined to make every moment count through focused practice.

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Through an unwavering commitment of time and effort, Michelle immersed herself in learning and comprehending the nuances of the sport. Her diligence resulted in an extraordinary feat, making the Varsity team as a freshman at Royal High School under the guidance of Coach Bob Ferguson. Michelle recognized volleyball as not just a mere pastime, but rather as a transformative opportunity to elevate her life. Fueled by ambition, she set a resolute goal of securing a college scholarship, using the sport as a powerful catalyst for profound personal growth.

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In the subsequent club season, Michelle earned a spot on Zuma Bay's top team, placing her amidst an elite group of athletes. It was during this time that she seized a valuable opportunity to attend the prestigious Pepperdine volleyball camp, where she encountered players of exceptional caliber. Inspired by one of these talented individuals, Michelle made the momentous decision to join Westside Volleyball Club in Westwood. Juggling the demands of living in Simi Valley and commuting near UCLA three times a week for practices posed a formidable challenge, particularly when it came to managing her academic pursuits.

 

During her time at Westside, Michelle encountered two remarkable coaches, Tim Jensen and Chris McGee, who would leave an indelible mark on her journey, transforming her into a player sought after by recruiters. Recognizing Michelle's unwavering ambition and determination, Tim and Chris dedicated themselves to coaching her relentlessly, propelling her towards an accelerated acquisition of volleyball knowledge. Their relentless efforts aimed to bridge the gap between Michelle and her teammates, who had gained a wealth of experience at a much younger age. 

 

By the time Michelle reached 11th grade, an astonishing achievement considering her mere two years of playing the sport, she found herself inundated with an impressive array of recruitment letters. Among the esteemed institutions vying for her talents were renowned names such as Harvard University, University of Southern California (USC), Baylor University, Naval Academy, Yale University, Eastern Kentucky, Mississippi State, University of Rhode Island, Indiana University, Eastern Michigan University, Idaho State University, University of Washington, U.S.M.A West Point, Loyola Marymount University, The University of Memphis, Kansas State University, University of Minnesota, Georgia Tech, Mercer, and many more. The sheer breadth of options attests to Michelle's extraordinary progress and the remarkable recognition she garnered in such a short span of time.

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As Michelle embarked on her final year at Royal High School, fate dealt her a challenging setback when she suffered a knee injury during a game, a consequence of wearing shoes that had surpassed their prime. After a successful recovery from a knee injury sustained during her senior year, Michelle was poised to continue her journey. Michelle's unwavering spirit paid off, leading her to triumphantly accept a well-deserved scholarship offer to play for the esteemed University of California, Davis. Her inspiring resilience and unwavering commitment to her athletic dreams paved the way for this remarkable achievement.

 

During the pre-season, tragedy struck when a collision with a middle blocker led to a devastating injury, abruptly ending her volleyball career. The impact caused her ACL to tear and chipped her femur, a combination that ultimately prevented her from continuing her collegiate journey. This unfortunate turn of events forever altered Michelle's athletic trajectory as an athlete, but her indomitable spirit and resilience continue to shine as she navigated a new chapter in her life as a coach.