USAV GJNC Showcase Session II: Middles Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The USAV GJNC Showcase Session II at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center was packed with talent. With more than 300 athletes taking the court, my focus was on the middles, and they did not disappoint. From out-of-system hitting drills to commanding blocks during gameplay, the middles truly dominated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top prospects for middles are those who can run the ball at high tempo, transition off the net, take shots left and right, and excel in both offense and defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following players exemplified these qualities and made my watchlist:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493348"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66931b7c8226d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493348' first='Jordan' last='Rall'] stood out prominently among the many athletes at the event. A serious presence on both offense and defense, Jordan commands the net with skill and finesse. Watching her play was a delight, and speaking with her revealed even more depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In discussing her college plans, Jordan mentioned her Stanford legacy but emphasized keeping her options open for the future. Academically gifted, Jordan has a keen interest in mathematics. Off the court, Jordan enjoys chicken and enjoys attending to her three pets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite her impressive skills, Jordan humorously recalled her most embarrassing volleyball moment: during JO Nationals last year, she unintentionally fell into the splits while attempting to kick a ball. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":567466,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66931b7c82317"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='545357' first='Dior' last='Duru'] stood out as a dominant middle throughout the entire event. She plays club volleyball with Red Rock 15 Marietta Danville and attends St. Patrick-St. Vincent Catholic High School. Known as an academic powerhouse, Dior maintains a stellar 4.0 GPA. Beyond her academic achievements, she excels in track and soccer, though she dedicates most of her time to volleyball, which she finds incredibly exciting. Dior has set her sights on playing volleyball in college to compete at the highest level. A fun fact about Dior: her favorite food is sushi. Michelle Bamford @PrepDig</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533845"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66931b7c8237f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor Otte, despite being one of the youngest in the 2028 class, stood out prominently among all the athletes in attendance. Throughout the night, she impressed with her relentless hustle and speed on the court. When I spoke with her about her passion for volleyball, Taylor expressed her love for the game's high tempo, a passion she discovered in sixth grade. Off the court, her favorite food is sushi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor shared an amusing anecdote about her most embarrassing volleyball moment: she once completely missed the ball while attempting to hit it. Beyond volleyball, she finds joy in swimming, showcasing her athleticism in multiple arenas. Michelle Bamford @PrepDig</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566276"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66931b7c823f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cora Thomas, hard to miss as the tallest player in the gym, Cora stood out as one of the most tenacious at the net. She has a knack for getting a hand on most playable balls at the net. Representing M2 Georgia, Cora excels in executing quick sets, particularly 1s and 3s. Off the court, she cares for three named cats and chickens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When asked about her favorite part of volleyball, Cora passionately expressed her love for blocking, stating, "I just love stopping opponents from scoring." Michelle Bamford @PrepDig</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19 Khylee Boesch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>48 Willow Coyner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>52 Kate De Jong</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>66 [player_tooltip player_id='525010' first='Ava' last='Duran']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":567471,"width":"127px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_06f038.png" alt="" class="wp-image-567471" style="width:127px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>73 [player_tooltip player_id='217695' first='London' last='Evangelho'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>77 [player_tooltip player_id='537360' first='Kahala' last='Faucher']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":567476,"width":"124px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_a78387.png" alt="" class="wp-image-567476" style="width:124px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>94 [player_tooltip player_id='474505' first='Raneighla' last='Gonzalez']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>128 [player_tooltip player_id='539585' first='Kailynn' last='Jackson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>188 Amanda Missoup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>199 Cecile Novembre</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":567474,"width":"125px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_085637.png" alt="" class="wp-image-567474" style="width:125px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>201 [player_tooltip player_id='527781' first='Ella' last='Opene']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":567475,"width":"124px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_f650d3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-567475" style="width:124px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>238 Ava Saenz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>272 [player_tooltip player_id='505606' first='Caira' last='Tasi']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":567473,"width":"122px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_b0a439.png" alt="" class="wp-image-567473" style="width:122px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>302 [player_tooltip player_id='536250' first='Sawyer' last='Zappelli']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>If you missed this event and would like to sign up for a PrepDig Showcase, please log onto <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PrepDig.com/Events</a></strong>, and use code: Bamforddig2024</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you loved this article, make sure to follow our Instagram page,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PrepDigCA</a>&nbsp;for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By subscribing to PrepDig, you're not just supporting coverage of your favorite events – you're also helping to shine a spotlight on talented prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To see even more events and athletes featured, spread the word and encourage your friends to subscribe to&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's keep growing this positive player platform and create unforgettable memories and experiences together with your support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Thank you for being part of the journey!</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading -->