Why do you want to play college volleyball? 

I have played volleyball my whole life and want to continue to see the opportunities that come with playing in college!

What does your training schedule look like in-season and off-season? 

During school and Kairos, I am doing something- practice or lifting- mostly Monday through Friday, with occasional practices and tournaments on the weekend. During summer, I participate in USA Volleyball and continue to practice and lift.

What are your academic interests or intended major? 

I don’t know for sure.

How do you balance school, sports, and your personal life? 

A lot of my friends are from volleyball, so that really helps with the social aspect, but I also make sure to hang out with school friends on open weekends or breaks from practice. For school and volleyball, I make sure to utilize my free time that I have after practice or on weekends to stay caught up on everything.

My Final Thoughts:

The numbers are elite and the accolades continue to grow, but neither is the reason Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD sits at the top of this class. What separates her is the standard she brings every day. She outworks veterans, embraces coaching, competes with purpose, and consistently elevates the players around her. The skill set is obvious, the volleyball IQ is elite, and her ability to lead an offense is something very few players possess at this level. She does not simply run an offense, she controls the pace and flow of matches while making those around her better. There is a reason she is viewed as the top setter in South Dakota and one of the top setters in the nation. Wherever she lands, she will not just be joining a program, she will be raising the standard of it. That is what makes her one of the most intriguing recruits in the country.~Theresa@prepdigdakotas

Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Tm7in

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD operated at a different level today, dictating tempo and controlling match flow with elite authority. She ran a fast, balanced offense with precision — delivering clean, consistent location across all zones while keeping blockers constantly off rhythm. Samuels manipulated the floor with intention, sequencing her distribution to create one-on-one opportunities and consistently putting hitters in high-percentage scoring windows.

What elevated her performance even further was her six-rotation impact. She stabilized first contact, defended with urgency, and consistently transitioned seamlessly into offensive control. Her poise in fast sequences, command under pressure, and ability to elevate the offense around her reflected a setter performing at the highest national level. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD is one of the premier setters in the country for the Class of 2028 — and when you watch her, it’s obvious why. At 6’0”, she’s the dream frame for a modern collegiate setter, but it’s her command of the court that separates her.

You’ll see her dictate tempo with confidence, deliver pins in rhythm, and run a balanced offense that keeps blockers guessing. She’s advanced in transition, makes high-level decisions under pressure, and understands how to manipulate a defense with location and pace. Her volleyball IQ is elite — reading the block, recognizing mismatches, and adjusting mid-match without hesitation. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

Court Schedule At Triple Crown: 2/14 3:00PM-Court KCCC31 vs. Madfrog 17’s N Black

Click To See Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD

Kairos out of South Falls, South Dakota has grown into one of the top clubs in the country that has been able to produce top athletes year in and year out.  Josalyn Samuels falls right in line where she will be one of the top setters to come out of the Class of 2028.  At 6’2, Samuels plays well above the net where she is able to put the ball right in the window of her middles. She is also quick to shoot it to the pin or behind her to the right side or a slide to the middle.  This Kairos 17 Elite squad is going to be fun to watch take the court in Kansas City next week for Triple Crown.  

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD | Setter | Class of 2028
South Dakota Prep Dig No. 1 Overall • No. 1 Setter

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD is the heartbeat of the 2028 class in South Dakota—and the benchmark everyone else is chasing. As the No. 1 overall prospect and No. 1 setter in the state, she already plays the game at a level that feels years ahead of her age. Every match she touches is controlled by her rhythm, her vision, and her command of the court.

Samuels doesn’t just distribute the ball—she engineers offense. Her footwork is precise, allowing her to stay square and balanced under pressure. Her release is clean and repeatable, keeping tempo consistent across every route. Middles stay engaged because she rewards them. Pins stay aggressive because they trust her location. In system or out of system, the ball arrives on time and on target. She turns chaos into order.

Her résumé is national in scope. MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year. Sophomore All-American. Three-time Class AA state champion. Multiple USA Volleyball NTDP selections and involvement with the Girls U19 National Team program. Nearly 3,000 career assists before finishing her sophomore season. Those accolades aren’t inflated—they’re a reflection of how early and how completely she has taken ownership of the game.

What separates Josalyn even further is her volleyball IQ. She reads blockers before they move. She manipulates defenses with her eyes. She understands match flow and adjusts in real time. In tight sets, she becomes the calm. Teammates breathe easier because she’s in control. Opponents feel pressure because she never looks rattled.

Her work ethic fuels it all. Every rep is intentional. Every touch carries purpose. She trains like the standard is higher—because for her, it is.

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD doesn’t just run an offense. She dictates the match.

And the ceiling? It’s nowhere in sight. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

Josalyn’s Highlights-Check Them Out: http://www.hudl.com/v/2PVyJA

🏐 #1 Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD – Setter (SD #1)

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD is the ultimate floor general. Ranked as the top setter in South Dakota’s 2028 class, she dictates tempo with precision and confidence. Her ability to run a fast offense while disguising her sets keeps blockers guessing and hitters in rhythm. Samuels has elite decision-making—knowing when to feed the hot hand, when to spread the court, and when to dump for a kill herself.
👉 College Value: Samuels is the type of setter who elevates every hitter on the roster, making her invaluable as the offensive heartbeat of any program.
~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

Insta Handle: josalyn.samuels

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen as they prepare for their first high school volleyball tryouts and season?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! It’s how you react to them and how you make the adjustments that allow you to get better and learn. Also, make sure to communicate and connect with other girls so that you feel more comfortable on the court!

As incoming freshmen get ready for high school tryouts, what’s the biggest piece of advice you’d share with them to help them succeed and stand out?

Make sure to hustle everywhere and be engaged in what coaches and other players have to say. Also, showing different roles of leadership can help you stand out!

Josalyn Samuels Josalyn Samuels 6'0" | S/RS Harrisburg | 2028 State #4 Nation SD is one of the top setters in the Upper Midwest, showcasing exceptional skill and volleyball IQ. Her court awareness and precision in placement are second to none, and she has an innate ability to recognize when to run a quick set, consistently putting her hitters in the best position to score. Josalyn’s leadership on the court is undeniable—she commands the offense with confidence and poise, making her teammates better with every set. Her hands are as smooth and controlled as they come, and when she sets, the court goes silent—her touch is perfect, creating a fluid and reliable offense.

Josalyn’s technical ability, coupled with her leadership and focus, positions her to be one of the top setters in the nation. As she continues to showcase her talents at every level, expect her to rise among the elite in the country. She’s a setter every coach should have on their radar!~@prepdigdakotas

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19105918/68180aa68e79f3cf235591cb