USA Jr Nationals Pre-Tourney Showcase Players to Watch Vol 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are a month away from the culmination of the club season…USA Jr Nationals, which will be held in Chicago at the end of June and early July.&nbsp; Prep Dig has once again renewed our partnership with USA Volleyball to run the Pre-Tournament Showcase the day before the tourney starts.&nbsp; It will be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center where the tourney is being held.&nbsp; We are going to be previewing some of the players who have signed up to participate.&nbsp; The one aspect that sets our showcases apart from every other one in the country is how we offer coverage, before, during, and after it is completed.&nbsp; Without further ado, here are a few players who you should be watching at the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madeleine Zaragoza [2026] 5-10 Outside (HS: Sierra Canyon/Club: Mizuno Long Beach/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie is currently an unranked prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings, but is on our watch list and we cannot wait to see her in action at the showcase.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at Sierra Canyon and also plays club for Mizuno Long Beach. &nbsp;A true point scoring threat from the left side of the court, Miss Zaragoza rises up very well off of the ground and doesn't need a lot of momentum in order to elevate.&nbsp; While a lot of players have to create momentum in their approach, Maddie has an extra gear of levitation that helps her jump well even during those moments in which she has to stop her transition short and attack.&nbsp; Most young have a hard time being an offensive threat when the play is out of system and they have to adjust their approach to the ball too much.&nbsp; But not Maddie, as she is able to use great depth perception and determine exactly how far and fast she needs to adjust her footwork and still deliver a hard driven ball to the opposing side.&nbsp; We think she has a very high ceiling and are going to keep our eye on her as she competes against the great competition that is signing up for the showcase.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326039' first='Bella' last='Samaniego']&nbsp;[2025] 5-6 Libero (HS: Yucaipa/Club: Rancho Valley/Verbal: Uncommitted)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bella is currently an unranked prospect in the 2025 Class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings, but is on our watch list. &nbsp;She plays volleyball at Yucaipa High School and club for the Rancho Valley Volleyball Club program. Miss Samaniego shows some great promise in the back row as she has solid ball control.&nbsp; I love how she creates a great angle while in serve receive and is able to hold her pose well after contact to ensure she delivers a great ball to her setter.&nbsp; This will keep her passes very consistent for years to come.&nbsp; Defensively she has good range and is not afraid to get on the floor if need be to keep her team in the rally.&nbsp; We are excited to have her signed up for the showcase and are going to watch her as she competes with some of the best liberos in the nation.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more on Miss Samaniego.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abby Faber&nbsp;[2027] 6-2 Middle (HS: Mother Mcauley/Club: New Wave/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abby is currently an unranked prospect in the 2027 class according to our Prep Dig Illinois State Rankings, but that is only because they have not been released yet.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at Mother Mcauley and club for New Wave out of the Illinois area. &nbsp;&nbsp;Miss Faber has tons of potential in the sport due to her great size and strength.&nbsp; What I really like is how focused she is on the opposing side of the net.&nbsp; Her eyes and head are constantly scanning while the opponent has the ball and her high motor allows her to set up in a great position to block.&nbsp; Offensively she is finding her rhythm&nbsp; with the quick attacks and it will only get faster as she gains more experience.&nbsp; During the times where timing may be off a little due to extenuating circumstances, she is able to adjust her attack and score with some off-speed shots.&nbsp; I am going to love to see how she pairs with setters from around the nation and also watch how she competes against other middles her size.&nbsp; From what I have seen so far this season, she has the fire and determination to compete at a high level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes that will be attending the showcase.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:Michael@prepdig.com">Michael@prepdig.com</a>.&nbsp; Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->