Avoli Committed Athlete: Nebraska Freshman Showcase

Prep Dig has teamed up with Avoli, the volleyball brand built specifically for female athletes, to present Committed — a spotlight series celebrating standout athletes at each 2025 Prep Dig Showcase. These athletes are chosen for their leadership, sportsmanship, and relentless work ethic — the same values Avoli champions on and off the court. Each featured athlete receives exclusive Avoli gear in addition to their own spotlight article. Learn more about Avoli and explore their performance-driven footwear at avoli.com.

This was quite a first impression.

Every summer, the Nebraska Freshman Showcase serves as our introduction to a new class of prep athletes. This year's spotlight belonged to the Class of 2029, and dozens of players exhibited their readiness to take on the high school stage.

Saturday's event featured incoming freshmen with the skill, physicality, and versatility to make an immediate impact at the varsity level. However, we weren't solely taken aback by the measurable traits we saw in La Vista. The Freshman Showcase also brought out natural leaders with maturity beyond their years.

These intangible qualities embody the spirit of our Avoli Committed Athlete award, presented to a showcase participant whose passion and work ethic align with their exemplary on-court production. Our Nebraska Freshman Showcase honoree is Fallyn O'Connell, an incoming freshman outside hitter at Omaha Marian and a club competitor with Premier Nebraska.

Late-Summer Surge

O'Connell was already building plenty of momentum before the Nebraska Freshman Showcase.

This high-flying left-side hitter honed her craft at the Open level this spring while competing with Premier Nebraska 14 Gold. The 14U club season is a crucial formative time for prep athletes, and O'Connell seized the opportunity to face the nation's best.

Postseason play revealed the value of this high-level experience. 14 Gold earned a 14 National berth to GJNC and brought a new level of excellence for club volleyball's most prominent stage. O'Connell and her squad landed on the podium with a third-place finish, putting us all on notice for the Class of 2029.

Saturday's event added to the hype.

Setting the Tone

It didn't take long for O'Connell to make her mark at the Freshman Showcase.

We led off with positional work, and the outside hitters quickly put their athleticism on display. Even with a stacked group of athletes, O'Connell stood out by putting a little extra behind the ball. Her explosive approach and snappy arm were instant show-stoppers.

That quickly translated to six-on-six dominance as O'Connell competed in team scrimmages. She found ways to score with tool shots, cross-court darts, and everything in between. This incoming freshman looked like a seasoned veteran.

Of course, Avoli Committed Athletes embody more than on-court dominance alone. O'Connell's willingness to adapt to the fast, ever-changing nature of a showcase environment made her a surefire nominee for this award. She was an invaluable supporter for her teammates, even as those teammates shuffled and rotated every couple of minutes. This Omaha Marian freshman has captaincy potential as she embarks on her high school journey.

It all starts one month from now.