This content series is sponsored by GameChanger – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Dig.
With multiple sessions of the USA Volleyball x Prep Dig Showcase in Indianapolis, there were plenty of stars to be shining. Nearly 400 athletes got a chance to gain some exposure, get additional touches, and compete against athletes all across the country. From Hawaii to Florida, we had it all from coast to coast (and beyond). However, there was a group who were truly the gamechangers of the event. Here are the athletes who really stuck out among the showcases this week and are our “Prep Dig Showcase Gamechangers”
Ashlee Chavez – St. James Academy (KS) – Dynasty
Class of 2025 – Right Side
Chavez jumped on the radar right away at the showcase. The left handed right side showed that she could hit a really heavy ball and pin point spots all over the court. She is part of the Class of 2025 and a Dynasty team who finished in the top 24 of 15 Open. Getting a chance to see her compete again with her Dynasty teammates, her game in the showcase translated to playing for one of the top programs in the country. She can defend, pass to attack, and provide a really heavy swing that is tough for the opponents to return.
@emmagonzalezvb had such a presence at our showcase Sunday night. She talks, ton of energy, and connects with every player on the court for @AlamoVB – no surprise to see her on an elite eight team. @PrepDigTX pic.twitter.com/70RxLWTakE
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Emma Gonzalez – Claudia Taylor Johnson (TX) – Alamo
Class of 2024 – Setter
Sometimes there are intangibles that can be noticed right away (sometimes good and sometimes the latter). Gonzalez has all of the intangibles tilted in her favor where she is connecting with everyone on the court, she’s talking, there is eye contact, communication, you name it. She is also extremely gritty and will get her hands on the ball for her attackers to do their thing. Gonzalez was part of a national championship squad where Alamo 15 Premier won the whole thing in 15 Open. This is no surprise that someone like Gonzalez is part of a championship team – all championship teams need an athlete like her.
Setter Vivian Campbell looking very strong! 2023 athlete who played for Sports Performance 18 Elite. Amazing hands, but great feet too! Smooth with how she gets around the court so easily while putting up a hittable ball.
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Vivian Campbell – Oswego East (IL) – Sports Performance
Class of 2023 – Setter
Athletic, smooth, and high IQ. In a showcase setting, it can be tough for a setter to connect with attackers who are all coming from different systems. Campbell was able to connect with hitters from all over the place. She also demonstrated her out of system setting where she was so smooth in being able to get to the ball. Her textbook footwork and a smooth release makes it look like a beach ball is there for the attackers to crush. She commands the floor and was one who really stood out among the setters in all sessions.
She has huuuuuuge state tournament last fall for Johnston (5A) and it’s fun to see her swing again. Ava Helming will be on the @iowapowerplex 16 Black squad this week pic.twitter.com/4rkyrsje41
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Ava Helming – Johnston (IA) – Iowa Power Plex
Class of 2024 – Pin Hitter
I may have had an advantage in seeing Helming play before where she turned out a nearly 20 kill performance for Johnson High School in a quarterfinal upset of the top ranked team in Iowa’s largest class. She can perform on the big stage. She can also perform at a showcase where she showed she can attack and hit a heavy ball from every position. She’s long, athletic, and dynamic where she has a really fun skill set to provide. She will be competing for Iowa PowerPlex out of Des Moines in 16 USA the next four days.
Zaniah Hoskins – Buda Johnson (TX) – AJV
Class of 2025 – Outside Hitter
Hoskins was another outside hitter who really stood out among all attackers in every session. She has great leaping ability and hits it square every time. For a lot of these younger athletes we’ll see they can hit it hard, but might not have the jumping ability or they are jumping high, but not hitting it as hard. Not Hoskins, she has it all, the total package and with continued training, she is going to be the type of six rotation outside who will be dangerous in every rotation.
Two huge leaders in 8 – Kira Cherry of Pohaku and 27 – Zaniah Hoskins @AustinJuniors pic.twitter.com/h63V9jIi1l
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Kira Cherry – Oak Park (MO) – Pohaku
Class of 2023 – Outside Hitter
Cherry was another outside hitter who showed she can really swing away and score points. She is a really athletic and physical player where she has a major presence at the net. She is out of the Kansas City area and plays for a program on the rise in Pohaku. With her ability to score points and strength at the net, she will be a really solid pick up in the 2023 class.
These outsides hammer 🔨🔨🔨🔨
12 – Aubrey Baker TCVBCc
74 – Emily Garten ACT Volleyball Club pic.twitter.com/sBNMPdlVzs— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Emily Garten – El Dorado (CA) – ACT Volleyball Club
Class of 2023 – Outside Hitter
I know a lot of Midwest schools would love to have Emily Garten on their roster. At 5’11, athletic, and strong – Garten hit the hardest ball I saw out of any of the athletes in the entire showcase. She would do it on the left side, then head over to the right side and do the same thing. She is a point scorer where it just sounds different when she makes hand contact. The SoCal kid will definitely find a place to contribute at the next level. p
Hannah Dobbs jumping on the radar right away!
Crazy hops and moves really well. Also helps when she high fives everyone and has a smile. It’s contagious! @PghElite
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Hannah Dobbs – Toronto High – Pittsburgh Elite
Class of 2024 – Pin Hitter
Dobbs glides on the court, she moves so swiftly and can adjust to a variety of situations rather quickly. Her first few swings were eye opening and she only continued to heat up from there. She is long and athletic where she can really get a whip on the ball while still maintaining a high contact point. An exciting athlete to watch and one who could make a play out of nothing, will be fun to see her in a competitive match.
What’s up Hawaii! 🌸🤙
68 – Natalie Fukumoto moves extremely well in these scramble drills for Liberos. She plays for Aloha State 16s and preps at Moanalua High School. Class of 2025
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 30, 2022
Natalie Fukumoto – Moanalua (HI) – Aloha State
Class of 2025 – DS/L
Anticipation, moving, talking, doing everything a libero needs to do in order to be successful. From scramble drills to serve receive to competitive settings, Fukumoto was able to do it all. She is a fun athlete to watch control the backcourt. Being from Hawaii and based on her game where she could pop everything up – she’s got to have a beach background. She was also the type of athlete who was smiling and hyping others up which everyone wants to play with someone like that!
