Some players make a showcase better by how they play. Others make it better by who they are. Ava Castillo Ava Castillo 5'7" | S Our Lady Of Lourdes | 2029 State FL did both. The 5’7″ setter from Our Lady of Lourdes in Miami arrived in Indianapolis already holding a top-17 overall ranking in the Prep Dig Florida state rankings for the class of 2029 and she performed on June 24th in a manner that backed every bit of that recognition up. Her technical execution throughout the day was sharp. Her footwork was consistent, her sets had location and tempo variety, and her ability to distribute the ball to hitters she had never played alongside before made her side of the net function at a level that turned heads across the floor.

But the Avoli Award is not given for sets and stats alone. It is given to the player who defines the culture of the event. Castillo did that from the first moment she stepped on the court. She communicated constantly. She celebrated her teammates’ success loudly and genuinely. When a point was lost she reset immediately and brought the same focus to the next rally as if the previous one had never happened. Court coaches and scouts who were watching the event noted her name not just for what she was doing with the ball but for the way everyone around her played better when she was in the system. She competes with Tribe VKTRY Cardinal, one of the more elite club rosters in South Florida, and that competitive environment has clearly shaped the maturity and poise she carries onto the floor. At 5’7″ with this kind of IQ and character already developed, Ava Castillo Ava Castillo 5'7" | S Our Lady Of Lourdes | 2029 State FL is going to be one of the most recruited setters in her class very soon. College coaches who were in Indianapolis on June 24th already know that. The ones who were not should find her film immediately. Please help us congratulate this awesome young lady for earning this prestigious prize. 

Castillo was strong, quick to the ball, and had a good release so basically she has everything you want to see in a young setter. During drills, she moved efficiently and showed great control of the ball. Throughout the evening, she consistently made smart decisions and never forced plays that weren’t there. Instead, she did a great job of moving the ball around and putting her hitters in the best possible positions to score. I believe she is a great setter worth keeping our eyes on as she continues to grow and develop her game.

Ava Castillo Ava Castillo 5'7" | S Our Lady Of Lourdes | 2029 State FL has already been in front of college coaching staffs at Florida, Yale, and UTEP, which tells you something about the level of interest her game has already generated. She competed in a national tournament environment with Tribe Volleyball and helped her team to a third-place finish at the Triple Crown NIT Open, meaning she knows what high-level play feels like before she has even reached her junior year of high school. At 5’7″, her effectiveness will hinge on quickness, ball control in transition, and the read-and-react quality that separates setters who are system-dependent from those who are genuine playmakers. Watch how she manages tempo and distributes with intention when the players around her are unfamiliar.  There is no doubt that we will have her on one of the top courts with some exceptional players to go up against in order to see if she is the real deal or not.  We will be watching her very closely. 

5’7 Setter — Tribe Volleyball Club | Our Lady of Lourdes Academy

If there’s a player who embodies relentless engagement, it’s Ava Castillo Ava Castillo 5'7" | S Our Lady Of Lourdes | 2029 State FL . The Tribe Volleyball Club setter plays with a contagious energy that resonates across every rally, and her leadership presence is impossible to overlook.

Castillo’s transition from defensive base to offensive target happens in an instant. She wastes no motion, arriving balanced and ready to deliver clean, accurate sets. Even when passes pull her away from the ideal location, her quick footwork allows her to create multiple attack options without sacrificing tempo.

Equally impressive is her communication. Castillo calls out tempo early, clarifying expectations before hitters even begin their approach. This proactive leadership keeps the offense synchronized and ensures teammates stay confident in their roles.

Defensively, she remains fearless. Rather than flinching during high-velocity swings, Castillo squares up and absorbs the moment, digging balls and extending rallies with determination. That combination of poise, physical engagement, and emotional spark makes her the type of setter teammates rally around. ~Sophia Jeanpierre @prepdig_fl

Miss Castillo is a 5’7” Class of 2029 setter from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy High School who also competes for Tribe Volleyball Club , and she does not play like your average freshman. Throughout the showcase she displayed the poise and command of a seasoned varsity veteran capable of running an offense in any environment. Her technical skills were sharp and repeatable, but what truly elevated her performance was the profound impact she had on teammates through her leadership and personality. She communicated constantly, encouraged others, and maintained a positive presence even during moments of adversity. College coaches value setters they can trust with the keys to the offense, and Ava showed the kind of composure that earns that trust. She uses her compact frame extremely well, consistently pushing the ball cleanly to the pins from a variety of court positions without losing tempo. Her quick footwork allows her to arrive balanced and create multiple offensive options, and her hands are clean with impeccable form that clearly reflects serious time invested in training. Please join us in congratulating Ava on earning a Top Performer Award at the Sunshine Classic Showcase.

The Complete-Court Catalyst

Ava Castillo Ava Castillo 5'7" | S Our Lady Of Lourdes | 2029 State FL competed like someone who refuses to clock out of a rally. From the moment the serve crossed the net, she positioned herself for the next phase. Her transition to target was immediate, yet controlled — no wasted steps, no drifting. Once the ball left her hands, she dropped seamlessly into coverage, ready to pursue a dig or stabilize a ricochet.

What elevated her presence was her emotional electricity. Teammates fed off her vibe. She made early setting calls that clarified tempo before hitters even began their approach. On defensive sequences, she remained low and grounded, absorbing heavy swings without hesitation. There was no flinch response when attacks came at her — she squared up and handled business. That willingness to engage physically and vocally made her a constant stabilizer in extended rallies. ~Sophia Jeanpierre @prepdig_fl