USAV GJNC Showcase Session I – Players to Watch Vol 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are super excited to partner with USA Volleyball once again to run the official college recruiting showcase for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. &nbsp;The first session will be held on July 2^nd at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. &nbsp;We are going to be previewing some of the players who have already 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>Zan Castro [2026] 6-0 Right Side (HS: El Paso/Club: El Paso Strive/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zan is currently an unranked prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at El Paso High School and also plays for the El Paso Strive volleyball club. Miss Castro is a very talented opposite who can score from both pins very well.&nbsp; She has long arms and a great reach that allows her to contact the ball well above the net.&nbsp; What stands out to me when I watch her film, is how she uses some awesome court vision to see holes in the opposing defense.&nbsp; While many players are jumping in the air and only looking at their own hand contact on the ball, Zan studies the other side of the court and sees exactly where she wants to deliver the ball to.&nbsp; This will keep her efficient with scoring and also very aggressive against anyone.&nbsp; I love the fact that she can score in a variety of ways including a hard driven line shot, which is one of the hardest shots a pin can take.&nbsp; The precision timing and control she has with her line shot speaks volumes about her play.&nbsp; It paints the line with a lot of power.&nbsp; I am very intrigued to watch her against the elite competition of the showcase.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emily Mulkey&nbsp;[2026] 6-2 Middle (HS: Palo Alto/Club: Rage/Verbal: Uncommitted)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emily is currently an unranked prospect in the 2026 Class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at Palo Alto High School and club for the Rage volleyball program.&nbsp; Miss Mulkey is a very tall and powerful middle who has an electric arm swing.&nbsp; Em shows some nice timing with getting her hands up very quickly in order to shut down opposing attackers.&nbsp; You never seen her hands coming up late during her swing blocking technique and this inspires her teammates to know that she will be the first line of defense for them.&nbsp; When she connects on the ball there is a lot of force in her attack.&nbsp; It is also nice to see middles understand timing principles when the ball is passed a little faster than normal.&nbsp; I love how Emily uses her vision to see where the ball is being passed from in order to know when to leave for her quick attack.&nbsp; Many times she stops her transition footwork early and drives hard toward her setter in order to be on time for the quick set.&nbsp; But her thunderous attack is the one aspect that will excite many who are watching her play.&nbsp; We are excited to have her on the court at the showcase.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava Jo Berry&nbsp;[2025] 5-7 Setter (HS: Wenatchee/Club: CRU Performance/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava Jo is currently ranked as the 13^th best overall prospect in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig Washington State Rankings.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at Wenatchee High School and club for the CRU Performance volleyball program.&nbsp; Miss Berry is one of the most exciting setters I have seen in a while.&nbsp; She is a solid two-sport athlete who also excels on the beach.&nbsp; Her sand volleyball skills translate into some amazing footwork and defense on the sport court.&nbsp; She is no stranger to accolades as she has won many player of the year awards in her journey.&nbsp; She plays defense like a libero out of the right back zone.&nbsp; The ball comes out of her hands so super fast as she dishes out a fast tempo outside set.&nbsp; There is so much that stands out about her play, especially as she plays in the front row.&nbsp; She is not afraid to jump, block, and score against taller players.&nbsp; Everything about her play is super exciting and she is ferocious as she competes at a high level.&nbsp; I love how she gets pumped up for her teammates as they score.&nbsp; This young lady plays the game exactly like volleyball purists want setters to play.&nbsp; If you have not seen her, I strongly suggest you take a look at the showcase.&nbsp; I am very intrigued to watch her on the court.</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 -->