15 Lights Out Pins from 15 States - USAV GJNC Showcase 2: Part 1

The Prep Dig USAV GJNC Showcase 2 was a massive event with over 200 athletes from across the nation. It is hard to describe the amount of talent that was packed onto those courts. One of my favorite parts about covering showcases is that it is a complete blank slate with no preconceptions based on club, team, high school, location, competition division, grade, or any other factor. It is simply athletes playing volleyball!   When I looked at my notes, I was so impressed to see how geographically spread out so many of the athletes were. This will be a three-part article series covering five athletes in each. Let's jump in!    Jaycee was an absolute gamer at the showcase. She is the type of player who keeps the game moving and is a reliable force on the pin. She did all of the little things right, from putting up a solid and consistent block to making smart choices on offense. Jaycee could take some massive rips on the ball as well. She had high-level court awareness, especially during gameplay and some of the fast-paced drills.     Amaya caught my eye initially because of her beautiful cross-court cut shot. She could consistently earn points with that hit, and it was a key tool in her toolbox of swings. As I continued to watch Amaya play, I was also impressed with how well-rounded the rest of her offense was and how deep that toolbox ran. She was relentless on offense and an athlete with a massive amount of potential.     Sara was a weapon on the right side. She had a lethal line shot that painted the sideline and was nearly impossible to stop. Sara knew how to utilize every set she got and was a powerhouse hitter who rarely made errors. She had great swings in out-of-system situations and also put up a wall of a block on the pin.     Carly had to have had one of the highest verticals at the showcase. She absolutely soared on the court and never seemed to tire. Her angles were sharp and honed to perfection, always seeming to find the seams between defenders. Carly was an impact player from the very start and continued to impress during every drill I saw her play in.     What stood out to me about Ava was how dynamic she is. She mixed up her shots on nearly every swing. There was never a moment when she was predictable. She put up a solid block that got consistent touches for her defense behind her. Ava did a lot of the little things right, including being explosive in transition and always making herself available on offense.

The Prep Dig USAV GJNC Showcase 2 was a massive event with over 200 athletes from across the nation. It is hard to describe the amount of talent that was packed onto those courts. One of my favorite parts about covering showcases is that it is a complete blank slate with no preconceptions based on club, team, high school, location, competition division, grade, or any other factor. It is simply athletes playing volleyball!