Prospect Report: News and Notes #2 from NTDP

Here is set #2 of news and notes of what’s being talked about after NTDP Winter Training in Colorado Springs, CO.

Most Impressive Diamond:

Shaye Witherspoon OH Rockwood Thunder PPV 295

I’ll touch on this again, but I think that Witherspoon has grown up quite a bit from last Summer and that is scary for 16U competition, but great for her future.  She just seems to “get it” so much better now.  Coachable, in control and dominating in ways she has the ability to on a more conisistant basis.

*Natalie Norton- OH Texas PPV 221

We already talked about Norton on Day 1, but her consistent play continued on Day 2 and she plays long.  Would be interesting to watch in an Open Club setting and see how she competes and what her demeanor is like on the court, but skill is there.

*Makenna Barnes-OPP California PPV..TBD

Barnes will be getting a PPV bump for certain, just how much is the ?.  I felt she was the most “noticeable” OPP of the group on a consistent basis and that wasn’t a thought coming into CO.  PHYSICAL athlete (fitting the Cali mode for 2027).  Definite stock riser at a position that is short on high-end talent.

Nejari Crooks- OPP Triad Volleyball North Carolina PPV 266

She is as advertised when it comes to athleticism.  Crooks is just a quick-twitch explosion waiting to happen.  I want to see her updated touch numbers and think that will go a long way to determining her eventual “college destinations” but Crooks is making a home on the opposite pin.  The first contact is a work in progress, but that is a skill that comes with reps, the athleticism is harder to teach.

Hanna McGinnest-OH Long Beach PPV 223

Solid weekend from a solid OH prospect.  McGinnest was consistently in on plays and was consistent in her play in the back row.  I saw an upgrade from what I saw at Durango during her Fall Prep season.  Again I think that Hanna will be in “that group” of OH’s that really are differentiated by what her “touch numbers” end up looking like.  I do know she was much more visible this weekend than in September and that is a good thing.

Carsyn Comer-MB Munciana PPV 267

Again Comer is that fundamentally sound middle that will do all the technique and skill work well.  One thing I wanted to see was how she handled the speed of playing with the elite.  She did well, but it was controlled and I missed much of the open scrimmage on day 3 so didn’t get to see the full-live action so that is still the question.  The vertical game will be the ultimate question with Carsyn and her June offers, but the work ethic is unquestioned and love her attitude.  Comer also connected quickly with her Setters on attack routes.  Overall successful first NTDP for the Midwest MB.

Nicole Jacobson-MB/OPP TAV PPV 221

Jacobson will be a fun one to watch this season and is a great example of why college coaches get paid to do what they do.  Long and able to play at a “high-point” already and that # only looks to go up.  She doesn’t currently have a Player Profile so don’t know her exact numbers, but Jacobson has a high college ceiling because of her position flexibility (MB/OPP).  Strength is on the block right now, but love the potential as you look a few years into the future with this Texas prospect.  Can see here initial PPV going up quickly as we learn more.

Kylee Evans-MB A5 PPV 205

Evans plays a quick game for sure.  Looking at her initially you see her as an undersized middle, but she is so fast off the floor and gets up.  One of those you wonder if she coaches see her as a next level MB or OPP, but you do see her as P4 athlete.  Great footwork and explosion.  Kylee will be one that will coaches will keep a keen eye on to see how she competes at the Open Level this club season vs. the tops in the country and the offense her club team will run should fit her game well.

Look for more of a breakdown on the libs and some of the talented young pups (2028s) that brought some serious game to the Rockies coming soon.

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