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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 18, 2024) – A stellar lineup of coaches will lead more than 100 girls and boys athletes at the 2024 Beach National Team Development Program Winter Training Series, Dec. 27-29 in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
The Training Series gives junior and collegiate beach volleyball athletes the chance to practice with and compete against some of the best athletes in the United States. There are six training sessions in the following age groups: Men’s U21/Boys U19, Boys U17, Women’s U21/Girls U19, Girls U17.
Leading the U21 age groups are two well-known names in international beach volleyball. Three-time Olympic medalist April Ross will lead the Men’s U21 group, and Olympic and Beach U19 World Championship coach Angie Akers will lead Women’s U21. Both Ross and Akers will be head coaches for the U.S. squad at the 2025 U21 World Championship, and their experience will give Training Series athletes an exceptional learning opportunity.
The Beach NTDP Winter Training Series also includes a boys hybrid program. The NTDP Hybrid Athlete Program provides participating athletes the opportunity to train on both the hardcourt and sand. With many athletes having potential futures in beach, indoor or both national team pipelines, it’s important to support these athletes and provide an adequate training environment that encourages cross-training.
“The hybrid program is an excellent way to develop young athletes and create well-rounded volleyball players,” said Chase Howard, assistant coach with the Harvard men’s volleyball team, who has also coached beach volleyball. “Athletes learn the freedom and creativity needed to excel on the beach while developing all the fundamental skills of volleyball. Then, they transition indoors, where they focus on the importance of playing as a cohesive unit and how to impact the game, even when not touching the ball, all while refining skills specific to their positions. The hybrid program challenges athletes to quickly adapt and shift between the different mindsets and playing styles required to succeed at both beach and indoor at a high level.”
Athletes for the Winter Training Series were identified and invited based on recommendations from the Beach NTDP Scouting Network. The scouting network serves as the Beach NTDP talent identification process and includes coaches and experts from across the United States.
All training series are conducted by top Beach NTDP coaches and feature a comprehensive focus on the five pillars of the NTDP: Craft, Mind, Body, Heart and Team.
Men’s U21
Head Coach: April Ross, Olympian
Assistant Coach: Alvaro Filho, Olympian, Stetson
Boys U19
Head Coach: Nicole Christner, S3 Volleyball
Assistant Coach/Hybrid Coach: Chase Howard, Harvard
Assistant Coach: Bill Kolinske, Pro Athlete
Boys U17
Head Coach: Patty Dodd, MB Sand
Assistant Coach: David Fischer, UNC
Women’s U21
Head Coach: Angie Akers, Texas
Assistant Coach: Brooke Niles, FSU
Assistant Coach: Kelly Reeves, UCLA
Girls U19
Head Coach: Kristen Rohr, ASU
Assistant Coach: Cati Leak, LSU
Assistant Coach: Marcio Sicoli, Pepperdine
Girls U17
Head Coach: Andrew Fuller, Stanford
Assistant Coach: Jenny Johnson-Jordan, UCLA
Assistant Coach: Benny White, LMU
Select boys athletes from around the country will work with top coaches and look to improve their skills at the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program’s (NTDP) Boys Indoor Winter Training Series on Dec. 27-30, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif.
More than 100 athletes from around the country will gather at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. from Dec. 27-30 for the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program’s (NTDP) Girls Indoor Winter Training Series (U15-17).
Many of USA Volleyball’s rising stars will be training in Louisville, Kentucky, next week at the same time the city hosts the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship and the American Volleyball Coaches Association Convention.
