Avoli Committed Athlete: Nebraska Exposure Tour

This article is sponsored by Avoli.

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.

Even in a gym full of underclassmen, tremendous leaders emerged.

This winter's Prep Dig Exposure Tour series made its long-awaited stop in Nebraska, where dozens of athletes converged for an active, fast-paced event. Showcase environments challenge players to mesh with unfamiliar teammates, giving us a good look at the intangible qualities coveted by college coaches. That's the inspiration for the Avoli Committed Athlete award.

Our Nebraska Exposure Tour honoree is Adara Fowlkes Adara Fowlkes 5'9" | MB Omaha Gross Catholic | 2028 State NE , a Class of 2028 pin-middle hybrid representing Omaha Gross Catholic and Premier Nebraska. This versatile frontcourt star has always stood out for her eye-popping explosiveness, but Fowlkes' on-court demeanor was just as impactful at Saturday's showcase.

Setting the Precedent

We were acquainted with Fowlkes' high-flying style long before she entered the Exposure Tour spotlight.

On the prep side, Fowlkes became a go-to terminator for Omaha Gross Catholic from the moment she joined the Cougar roster. She compiled 2.2 kills per set as a freshman, only to eclipse that mark with three kills per set this fall. Fowlkes spends most of time patrolling the pin for Gross Catholic to get as many attempts as possible across the front row.

However, Fowlkes morphs into a different kind of weapon when she suits up for Premier Nebraska. Her influence with this year's Premier Nebraska 15 Gold squad was vast and multi-faceted. We saw Fowlkes thrive as a middle blocker and an opposite, adapting between the two positions as 15 Gold experimented with various offensive systems.

Then, the late-season grind hit. Fowlkes earned increasing reps in the middle as 15 Gold battled its way to a 15 USA GJNC bid. Getting that bid wasn't enough, though, as Fowlkes and her team wanted a bigger prize.

Fowlkes blossomed as Premier 15 Gold marched to the 15 USA title in Dallas. She had several extraordinary performances in the middle, including an 11-kill outing against VVC in bracket play. Her tireless effort set the standard for 15 Gold, and the result was, well, gold.

Flipping the Script

So, after all this talk about Fowlkes' prowess in the middle, it's only fitting that she dominated on the pin at the Nebraska Exposure Tour.

To be fair, it's hard to keep this sophomore's quick arm away from the outside. Fowlkes explodes off the floor with her two-footed takeoff and can cut any angle with velocity. She had innumerable moments of brilliance at Saturday's event.

But that excellence extends beyond Fowlkes terminal ability. From the beginning of the event, she showed she was willing to guide others and be an uplifting voice in the team huddle. The chaotic, quick nature of showcases can cause confusion, and a stabilizing presence is essential. That's what Fowlkes brought to her side of the net.

After Saturday's all-around effort, Fowlkes will set her sights on more high-profile club triumphs with Premier Nebraska. We can't wait to follow along.