NTDP Standouts Share from the National Stage

When some of the best players in the nation gather for the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) Girls Indoor Summer Training Series, the talent is undeniable, but so is the growth. From July 29 to August 1, 2025, Hamilton, Ohio became a proving ground where more than 100 elite athletes, including some of California's brightest, trained, competed, and learned under the guidance of top-tier coaches and USA Volleyball staff.   This is more than just a training series. It is an earned Recruitable Credential, a rare opportunity to sharpen skills, build resilience, and learn the game from every angle: technical, physical, mental, and emotional. Through the NTDP's five pillars of Craft, Mind, Body, Heart, and Team, athletes are challenged to think, move, and compete like future national team members.   Now, nine of California's NTDP standouts are sharing their own takeaways. From the skills they leveled up to the coaches and teammates who inspired them, their voices offer rare insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level. For every player chasing this dream, these lessons are a blueprint for how to prepare, perform, and stand out when the opportunity arrives.    [player_tooltip player_id='391079' first='Finley' last='Krystkowiak'], a 2026 outside hitter heading to Penn State, came away from NTDP with a sharper passing game and a focus on minimizing consecutive errors. “My passing, framing the ball earlier,” she explained, has become a priority as she works to stay consistent in serve receive.   The pillar of Team had the greatest impact on her during the training series. “Playing as a whole and knowing that everyone makes mistakes and has troubles during the training sessions,” she said, noting how the experience reinforced trust and support within a group.   Competing against [player_tooltip player_id='251026' first='Kaitlyn' last='Nguyen'], a libero committed to Washington, left a lasting impression. “She is amazing and has an awesome attitude,” Finley shared, adding that Kaitlyn's presence on the court was both inspiring and motivating.   Among the coaching staff, Tori stood out the most. “She gave me confidence during the game sessions and helped me play with more affection,” Finley said, a takeaway she plans to carry into her upcoming season.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='482022' first='Elle' last='Vandeweghe'], a middle blocker committed to Southern Methodist University, left NTDP with a sharper understanding of her hitting routes and the importance of always being an option on offense. “During NTDP we worked a lot on the different attacks, and one thing I will definitely use in my upcoming season is coming in at an angle while hitting the gap or 3 attack,” she said. The adjustment improved her spacing on the net and kept her open to her setter, creating a bigger window to see the blockers on the other side.   The pillar of Team made the biggest impact on Elle, especially during the final day of mini scrimmages. “It sometimes was hard to create that chemistry that we build over high school and club seasons. During NTDP we had to learn how to come together as a team and work together as a team, which meant being accepting of one another and there for one another on and off the court,” she explained.   One of her favorite parts of the experience was meeting and playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='478458' first='Susan' last='(Allie) Hudgins'], an outside hitter from Texas. “It was super cool how so many incredible athletes got to come together and compete with and against one another. She was an amazing teammate and super kind on and off the court,” Elle said.   She also valued the time spent learning from Coach Meredith. “She taught me so many tricks on blocking and also helped correct my approach on some of my hitting routes,” Elle shared. “She was always positive and really approachable during my time at NTDP and was always there if I had any questions. On the last day I was lucky enough to have her as my coach for the mini scrimmages, and she was always really encouraging.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='516263' first='Sasha' last='Slaughter'], a 2028 middle from Absolute 16 Black, used her time at NTDP to elevate a part of her game that often takes a back seat during the club season: serving. “NTDP trains us to prepare for international play and competition, and they emphasize middles learning serving techniques and serve receive,” she said. “I focused on different types of serves like hybrids and droppers, and this will help me work on becoming a serving middle both in my upcoming high school season and club season in the spring.”   The pillar of Craft had the biggest impact on Sasha, giving her the opportunity to refine skills not usually prioritized for her position. “One example of a skill that I gained confidence in is hybrid serving, which I've rarely done before, but now it is in my toolbox. I learned by using the hybrid serve, it can catch the other team off guard because they don't practice receiving it,” she explained.   Among her peers, Camble Booth stood out as a source of inspiration. “Camble was super supportive to everyone there, took on a leadership role during our game play on the final day, and she was the sweetest person ever,” Sasha said. “When we were competing, she would make sure to be the biggest cheerleader for all of us, reassure us during mistakes, and her knowledge of the game made her a great leader. She inspired me to be a better communicator with teammates and become a more vocal player.”   Coach Christa Branson from SMU made the biggest impression on Sasha. “She helped me achieve a consistent toss and gave me key pointers for my serves,” Sasha shared. “She also made an effort to get to know me and the other girls better, which always feels good.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='515402' first='Janiah' last='Burrage'], a 2028 outside hitter from Forza1 North 17ONE, left NTDP with a stronger ability to attack zone eight and create disruption for opposing defenses. “I will use it to break down the other team's defense and to cause as much chaos as I can,” she said.   The pillar of Craft had the biggest impact on Janiah. “I learned that building more on your craft can help break down the other team's defense and find holes to score,” she explained.   She found inspiration in watching libero [player_tooltip player_id='809408' first='Ansley' last='Shafer'] command the court. “She was all over the place and when she was on the court, the ball almost never dropped,” Janiah said. “It helped me realize how if I can do that, my value will be just as big in the back row as it is in the front row.”   Among the coaching staff, Erica Stahl from Central Michigan made a lasting impression. “She told me when I passed to always hold my platform for as long as I can after I passed to ensure great angles,” Janiah shared.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='550009' first='Lana' last='Frelix'], a 2028 right side hitter from [program_tooltip program_id='876223' first='SG' last='Elite'] 16 Roshambo, credits NTDP with giving her greater confidence in pressure situations. Competing alongside such a competitive and skilled group pushed her to trust her instincts and play boldly even in close matches. “I was able to stay calm, talk effectively, and make aggressive moves even when there was pressure,” she said. Going into her upcoming season, she is ready to bring that same mindset to her team by leading with energy, staying steady in big moments, and helping push the group to compete at the highest level.   The pillar of Mind had the greatest impact on Lana. “I learned how to stay focused, adapt quickly, and reset after mistakes,” she explained. “This pillar will help me stay confident and calm in high pressure moments this season.”   One athlete who stood out to her was Kenadi Sieg. “I admired how fearless she was on the court, whether it was digging a hard driven ball or volunteering for drills, she always demonstrated courage,” Lana said. “I hope to take her fearlessness and use it on the court in tough situations, but also for my everyday life.”   Coach Timmy Balice from Dayton also made a strong impression. “He always carried great energy. Even when players would be getting tired, he could always pump us up again,” she shared. “I hope to take some of his energy and fire and use it for myself and teammates.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='800588' first='Bella' last='Turcios'], a 2028 libero from Tstreet 16'1 Bailey, saw the most improvement in her serve receive during NTDP. “The serves were coming fast and floating more, which made me choose a side early and have a strong angle,” she said. “This will help me see the trajectory of the ball, choose a side, and put a strong clean angle, which will result in better passes and more simple moves this season.”   The pillar of Mind had the biggest impact on Bella. “As a libero you have two jobs you must be really good at, serve receive and defense, which can lead to the misconception of perfection. However, I learned it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from it and adjust for the next one,” she explained.   She was inspired by [player_tooltip player_id='532572' first='Chayse' last='Courtney']. “She is so kind and nice, but when the game was on she was locked in and wanted to attack,” Bella shared. “I learned that when you are in the game you are all in. We all want to play at the highest level, so focusing in game will benefit you and everyone around you.”   Among the coaches, Reily Buechler from the University of Texas at Austin made a strong impression. “She helped me be confident to go and pursue balls and cut the ball off at an angle to allow it to have height and placement in the middle of the court,” Bella said. “She taught me to not wait for the ball to come to me, but instead go and attack the ball.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='744525' first='Carolina' last='Delaney'], a 2028 outside hitter from Absolute 16 Black, valued the opportunity at NTDP to refine her attacking game. “I really enjoyed learning more techniques for swinging off of the block and aiming for high hands,” she said. “I'm excited to implement that in the upcoming season.”   The pillar that resonated most with Carolina was Mind. “We worked a lot on breathing techniques and staying disciplined in high-pressure situations,” she explained, noting how the focus on mental approach will help her stay composed on the court.   She found inspiration in Sofia Simic. “She had been to NTDP before and she was encouraging to everyone around her,” Carolina shared. “She was a hard worker and fought for every point.”   Among the coaches, Hillary Hurley from Pepperdine stood out. “I loved her consistent feedback and she was always there to hype us up,” Carolina said. “One thing she taught me was how to dive on the block.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='534239' first='Cadence' last='Talaga'], a 2029 libero from [program_tooltip program_id='876208' first='SC' last='Rockstar'] 15 Carlos, saw her serve receive take a big step forward at NTDP. “By improving my technique and court awareness, I became more confident in handling tough serves,” she said. “In the upcoming season, I will use this skill to keep our team in system and create scoring opportunities.”   The pillar of Mind had the biggest impact on Cadence during the training series. “The training series challenged me to stay focused, think critically during fast-paced situations, and make smart decisions under pressure,” she explained. “I learned the importance of mental preparation, staying composed during tough moments, and constantly analyzing the game to improve my performance. This lesson will help me approach every practice and match with a clearer mindset and greater confidence.”   She was inspired by Annabelle Cummings, a fellow NTDP athlete. “Her confidence on and off the court was something I really admired. She played with assurance and never doubted herself, even in high-pressure situations. Watching her taught me that believing in yourself can elevate not only your own game but also inspire your teammates,” Cadence said. “From Annabelle, I learned that confidence is key to performing at your best and helping those around you feel capable too. This lesson has helped me focus on trusting my skills, staying composed during challenges, and being a supportive teammate.”   Travis Magorien from the University of Virginia made a lasting impression. “His approach to the game and focus on preparation really stood out. He always emphasized that success comes from the little details,” she shared. “What I will carry with me from Coach Travis is his guidance on staying consistent, being accountable, and working not only for myself but also to support and elevate the entire team.”   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='557446' first='Piper' last='Coady'], a 2028 outside hitter from Tstreet 16-Bailey, left NTDP with a more versatile serving game. “A specific skill that was improved during NTDP was having a variety of serves that can be used depending on the situation,” she said.   The pillar of Team had the biggest impact on Piper. “It really shows how important it is to come together as a team and play the game for more than just yourself,” she explained.   She found inspiration in a libero whose approach stood out throughout the training series. “She always seemed to grow from her mistakes instead of hanging on to them,” Piper shared. “She also was really motivating to her teammates no matter how the game is going. I truly admire the way she plays and will do my best to learn from her qualities.”   Among the coaches, Christa Branson from Southern Methodist University made the strongest impression. “She always encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and try new skills,” Piper said.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   If you are interested in learning more about the USAV National Team Development Program: Athletes are selected for NTDP Training Series and competitive events through a nationwide NTDP Scouting Network, which includes more than 100 top collegiate coaches, former national‑team staff, and experts who recommend players based on observations at club, high school, and other qualifying events. Keeping a free profile on University Athlete up to date all year is essential, this is the main tool used by the indoor scouting network to discover and recruit players.   Learn More @ <a href="https://usavolleyball.org/play/national-team-development-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Team Development Program – USA Volleyball</a>   <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" />   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. Post it, tag us, and help their stories reach the right eyes. Visibility is everything.   🎯 College Coaches — Tag these athletes in your University Athlete app and evaluate them as potential fits for your program. We're tracking their performance, growth, and impact through Recruitable Credentials — earned indicators college coaches recognize. Follow their journey with us and connect with athletes built for the next level.   🙏 Parents & Supporters — Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this possible.   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When some of the best players in the nation gather for the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) Girls Indoor Summer Training Series, the talent is undeniable, but so is the growth. From July 29 to August 1, 2025, Hamilton, Ohio became a proving ground where more than 100 elite athletes, including some of California's brightest, trained, competed, and learned under the guidance of top-tier coaches and USA Volleyball staff.