Florida Voices from the 2024 USAV NTDP Winter Training

The 2024 USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) Winter Training Series for the U18-U20 age group is underway, bringing together some of the most talented young athletes in the country. This year, Florida is proudly represented by seven outstanding athletes who were selected for this prestigious event, held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville from December 19-22.

These seven athletes— Hazel Alevok Hazel Alevok 6'7" | MB IMG Academy | 2025 State #36 Nation FL , Mija Bendziute Mija Bendziute 6'3" | RS Boca Raton Community | 2025 State #59 Nation FL , Charlotte Glass Charlotte Glass 6'1" | S Saint Andrews | 2025 State #14 Nation FL , Lily Hayes Lily Hayes 5'9" | DS/L Berkeley Prep | 2025 State #22 Nation FL , Isabel Incinelli Isabel Incinelli 6'5" | MB/OH Winter Park | 2027 State #5 Nation FL , Kelly Kinney Kelly Kinney 6'2" | OH The King’s Academy | 2025 State #10 Nation FL , and Amina N’diaye Amina N’diaye 6'1" | OH Lake Brantley | 2025 State #89 Nation FL —are part of a select group of players invited to train under the guidance of some of the nation's top volleyball coaches. This marks a significant opportunity for these athletes to showcase their skills, develop their game, and continue their journey within the USA Volleyball system.

The NTDP Winter Training Series: A Look Behind the Scenes

The 2024 NTDP Winter Training Series is unique in that it has split the age groups and locations for the first time. While the U18-U20 athletes train in Louisville, the U15-U17 age group will convene at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs just after the holiday season. The U18-U20 training session focuses on refining skills and preparing athletes for future national team opportunities. Over four days, these athletes will undergo intensive training in an environment that emphasizes the five pillars of the NTDP: Craft, Mind, Body, Heart, and Team.

Coaching Excellence: Jamie Morrison and Shannon Wells Lead the Way

The 2024 NTDP Winter Training Series features a stellar coaching staff. Texas A&M Head Women's Volleyball Coach Jamie Morrison is leading the U18/U19 divisions, while Virginia Head Women's Volleyball Coach Shannon Wells is in charge of the U20 division. These experienced and highly regarded coaches will provide valuable insights and guidance, helping each athlete reach their full potential.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

A typical training day for these athletes is both physically demanding and intellectually stimulating. Mornings start with breakfast, followed by a 2-3 hour training session where athletes work on specific drills and focus on mastering new concepts. After a lunch break, they dive into another 2-3 hour session, which may include film study or discussions around the NTDP pillars. The day concludes with scrimmaging, allowing players to apply the skills they've practiced in a competitive setting.

It's an intense schedule designed to push athletes out of their comfort zones and help them grow both as volleyball players and as individuals.

Voices from Florida: The Athletes Speak Out

While the experience of being part of NTDP is undoubtedly valuable, it's the personal growth and relationships formed during the program that leave a lasting impact on these athletes. For the Florida athletes, the NTDP Winter Training Series offers an opportunity to be challenged by some of the best players and coaches in the country.

Univeristy of Miami commit, Amina N’diaye Amina N’diaye 6'1" | OH Lake Brantley | 2025 State #89 Nation FL , shares her gratitude for being selected and offers advice to future NTDP athletes: “Be confident and don't be afraid to make mistakes! NTDP is a great place to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. You grow so much when you go after it and embrace the challenge.”

Lily Hayes Lily Hayes 5'9" | DS/L Berkeley Prep | 2025 State #22 Nation FL , who has committed to University of Florida, echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the honor of being invited to NTDP and the lessons learned from playing alongside some of the nation's top athletes. “I'm so blessed to be here, playing with the best athletes from across the country and learning from the best coaches. I hope to be a role model for future NTDP athletes, just like the older athletes have been for me. The coaches and teammates I've met here have made such an impact on my life.”

For Duke commit Charlotte Glass Charlotte Glass 6'1" | S Saint Andrews | 2025 State #14 Nation FL , who has been part of NTDP since 2021, the Winter Training Series represents a culmination of years of growth and mentorship. “It's such an amazing experience to train with the best coaches in the country and meet other players from all over the country. I've learned so much from this program, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it.” Charlotte also takes pride in inspiring future NTDP athletes, noting that watching the older athletes excel has been a key source of motivation for her. “It's been incredible to learn from the older athletes, and it's so cool to see them go on to thrive in college!”

One of the highlights of this year's session for Charlotte has been the opportunity to attend the NCAA volleyball tournament in Louisville. “It was awesome to watch the semis and finals, especially seeing friends from NTDP playing live at such a high level. It's motivating and inspiring to see them perform at that stage.”

The Future is Bright for Florida Volleyball

The 2024 NTDP Winter Training Series has already proven to be an unforgettable experience for these athletes from Florida. As they continue to grow their skills and build lasting relationships with coaches and teammates, the future of Florida volleyball looks brighter than ever.

The experiences and lessons gained during this elite training series will undoubtedly serve as stepping stones toward further success, whether that leads to national team spots or professional volleyball careers. For these seven athletes— Hazel Alevok Hazel Alevok 6'7" | MB IMG Academy | 2025 State #36 Nation FL , Mija Bendziute Mija Bendziute 6'3" | RS Boca Raton Community | 2025 State #59 Nation FL , Charlotte Glass Charlotte Glass 6'1" | S Saint Andrews | 2025 State #14 Nation FL , Lily Hayes Lily Hayes 5'9" | DS/L Berkeley Prep | 2025 State #22 Nation FL , Isabel Incinelli Isabel Incinelli 6'5" | MB/OH Winter Park | 2027 State #5 Nation FL , Kelly Kinney Kelly Kinney 6'2" | OH The King’s Academy | 2025 State #10 Nation FL , and Amina N’diaye Amina N’diaye 6'1" | OH Lake Brantley | 2025 State #89 Nation FL —the journey has just begun, and the best is yet to come.