Impactful Middles at the H-Town Showdown

The 2025-2026 club volleyball season is set to get into a much faster pace after the arrival of the New Year, with multiple tournaments being held every weekend in many different cities in the state of Texas.   The first weekend of the year will have a big one going on in Houston, with the first of three scheduled stops of the popular H-Town Showdown taking place across three different locations in the area on January 3.   Reuniting teams in the 16s, 17s and 18s age groups, the first stop will feature 34 teams, representing 14 clubs in the region, with matches going on at the FAST Complex and the Absolute Volleyball Academy and the [program_tooltip program_id='431337' first='Texas' last='Tornados'] facilities.   Prep Dig Texas will attend the event and provide the best coverage of it, featuring the top performers in the days following the tournament. Before we get to that, however, let's know some of the most promising prospects that will be on the court on Saturday. It's time we focus on the middles:    Nwokeji is part of HJV 16 Elite and will be in action in the 16s division. A middle with impressive athleticism, she plays with a high level of intensity and makes an impact on both sides of the ball. Nwokeji, who can also play on the right, has an excellent blocking presence, moving quickly at the net and doing a great job of reading opponents and playing aggressively above the net to stop them. She makes the most of her athleticism to be a scoring option for her team, getting off the floor extremely well and making contact with the ball at a very high point.      Miladinovic and her HJV 17 Premier team are entered in the tournament's 18s division. A very tall player, she made great strides in the last year or so, better understanding how to make the most of her physical tools. Miladinovic progressed a lot offensively, always making sure she makes contact with the ball at the highest possible point and adding some firepower to her swings. The middle is very quick to react to plays at the net and can take up a lot of space from opposing hitters when she goes up attempting to block them.      Pennie will be with the [program_tooltip program_id='431337' first='Texas' last='Tornados'] 18 Adidas team in the 18s division. Combining great length and impressive footwork, she's very active at the net and gets many touches on both sides of the game. Pennie's footwork makes of her a constant option on offense, as she's capable of adjusting to any passes, either accelerating her approach or slowing it down, getting up at the exact time to unleash her powerful swing. The middle also makes a difference with her blocking, moving very quickly from pin to pin and displaying great hand placement above the net.      Daniels will play for AVA TX 18 Adidas in the event's 18s division. A very physical and dynamic player, she will be a force at the net for them. Daniels is especially productive offensively, using her leaping ability to make contact with the ball at the highest possible point and swinging with power. She has excellent court vision, too, and does a great job of finding great spots to hit the ball, rarely being blocked or dug.

The 2025-2026 club volleyball season is set to get into a much faster pace after the arrival of the New Year, with multiple tournaments being held every weekend in many different cities in the state of Texas.