Top California Prospects Who Stood Out at the GJNC Showcase

Before the madness of Nationals officially got underway, 180 athletes hit the court for the official USAV GJNC PrepDig Showcase in Dallas, and it did not disappoint. Held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on June 24, this event brought together talent from across the country, and California athletes absolutely rose to the moment.   From the first serve to the final ball, these young women showed why the West Coast continues to be a hotbed for elite volleyball talent. Out of the entire showcase field, a standout group of athletes from California left a lasting impression with their confidence, competitiveness, and next-level skill.   Let me introduce you to the top California athletes who proved they're more than ready for the college stage.    [player_tooltip player_id='584042' first='Lauren' last='Kim'], a 6-foot setter from Absolute 15-1 Black and Carondelet High School, brings a composed presence and a competitive edge to the court. She shows consistent touch behind the service line and stays steady in pressure situations, a quality that stands out in close rallies. Her court demeanor is calm but dialed in, and she's highly coachable, open to feedback and quick to apply it. Lauren has been putting focused effort into improving her blocking and defensive reads, understanding that these are essential tools for running a complete offense at the next level. Her combination of height, poise, and work ethic gives her a foundation that translates well to the speed and physicality of the college game. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='714862' first='Gabrielle' last='“Gabi” Pagano'], a 2029 outside hitter from Centennial, stood out for her aggressive mindset and team-first approach. She consistently called for the ball, swung with intent, and showed strong transitions off the net. What impressed most was her versatility, she stepped into multiple roles throughout the showcase to keep her team competitive without missing a beat. Gabi's energy was steady and vocal, encouraging teammates while staying engaged in every phase of play. Her ability to adapt and compete across positions speaks to her instincts and overall volleyball IQ. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='773808' first='Elizabeth' last='Lewis'], a 5'9" setter from Liberty High School, impressed with her clean hands and smooth, efficient footwork. She transitions into position quickly and delivers consistent, well-located sets that give her hitters clear options. Her calm, composed presence allows her to manage tempo and stay in control during high-pressure plays. Elizabeth's precision and ability to read the game reflect a mature understanding of the setter role, and her mechanics will translate well to the faster pace and tighter systems of the college level. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='734068' first='Fern' last='Udell'], a 6'0" middle from Cajon High School and [program_tooltip program_id='495219' first='Rancho' last='Valley Volleyball'] Club, brings a tenacious presence at the net with strong timing and a focused approach to blocking. She plays with intent, staying disciplined in her positioning and showing a willingness to anchor her team's front row defense. Fern is working to expand her game by developing her serve and back-row skills, aiming to become a more complete player. Her serious on-court demeanor and team-first mindset were clear throughout the showcase, and her emerging all-around game gives her promising upside for the next level. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780480' first='Kadence' last='reece'], a 5'4" defensive specialist/libero from Liberty High School, stood out with her proactive court positioning and constant communication. She reads the play early, getting into position before the ball arrives, and uses her voice to organize her courtmates. On serve receive and in scrambling rallies, Kadence brings awareness and reliability, traits that are essential for stabilizing the backcourt. Her hustle and volleyball IQ align with a team-first mindset, and she offers dependable defense and leadership in serve-receive systems. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='765044' first='Iliya' last='Little'], a 6'1" outside hitter from Rocklin High School and [program_tooltip program_id='580830' first='Synergy' last='Force'] 14-1, brings a fast, heavy arm and six-rotation potential that's hard to miss. She transitions quickly off the net and delivers a fast, assertive swing with range and confidence. In her first season playing all six, Iliya has focused on developing her defense and serve receive, showing an understanding of what it takes to be a complete outside at the next level. Her leadership on the court is clear she competes with intensity, communicates with poise, and backs it up with smart decisions and a physical presence that continues to grow. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='766265' first='Ellison' last='Williams'], a 6'0" 2029 setter/right-side from Rocklin and [program_tooltip program_id='580830' first='Synergy' last='Force'] 14-1, offers a blend of smooth hands and high-level court IQ. She demonstrates consistent set execution and shifts seamlessly between setting and right-side roles, a switch that underscores her versatility. Her calm demeanor and poised presence under pressure allow her to deliver controlled, accurate sets even in tight rotations. As coaches look for multi-dimensional players, Ellison's ability to step into different front-row roles while maintaining tempo marks her as a standout California prospect. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='786523' first='Jordyn' last='Jackson'], a 6'0" outside hitter from Consumes Oaks High School and SynergyForce 14-1, plays with intensity and focus on both sides of the ball. She brings a fluid arm swing that generates clean, effective contact, consistently pressuring the block. On defense, Jordyn moves well laterally and maintains a solid platform through the dig, showing she's just as committed in the backcourt as she is at the net. With her physical tools and competitive drive, Jordyn continues to build out the kind of balanced, high-IQ game that projects well at the next level. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='786536' first='Jordin' last='Norman'], a defensive specialist, impressed with her speed and determination...nothing hit the floor when she was on the court. She showcased strong floor coverage and stayed vocal throughout, directing teammates and maintaining energy in serve-receive and transition. Her ability to anticipate and react quickly creates a reliable backcourt presence, and her communication helps stabilize serve-receive systems. Jordin's consistency, hustle, and voice align perfectly with the coach-first mindset we highlighted in the introduction and make her a dependable asset at the next level. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_b3bd7c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770392" /></figure>     ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Together, we're building a positive platform to celebrate players and connect the volleyball community through exposure and opportunity.   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Before the madness of Nationals officially got underway, 180 athletes hit the court for the official USAV GJNC PrepDig Showcase in Dallas, and it did not disappoint. Held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on June 24, this event brought together talent from across the country, and California athletes absolutely rose to the moment.