Coach Parker Mikesch Heads to Colorado Springs for NTDP Scouting and Support
Louisville assistant coach Parker Mikesch is heading west.
On Sunday evening, June 1, Coach Mikesch will fly to Colorado Springs to attend USA Volleyball’s National Team Training Program sessions. The trip serves a dual purpose: to evaluate emerging national-level talent and to support one of Louisville’s own—freshman RS attacker Kalyssa Blackshear.
Blackshear has been invited to train with the U21 National Team, which will be training alongside the U19 squad. She’s no stranger to the NTDP, having been involved in the program throughout her prep career, but this marks her first chance to make the final 12-player roster for international competition. If selected, she’ll represent the U.S. at the 2025 NORCECA Pan American Cup, set to take place this summer across the Netherlands, Croatia, and Serbia.
Coach Mikesch will also use his time in Colorado to keep a close eye on several top 2027 and 2028 recruits, many of whom are competing with the U19 team:
Recruits to Watch:
- Taimane Ainu’u – 2028 Setter
- Josalyn Samuels – 2028 Setter
- McKenna McIntosh – 2027 Outside Hitter
- Shaye Witherspoon – 2027 Outside Hitter
- Cala Haffner – 2028 Libero
- Pulelehua Laikona – 2028 Libero
- Taylor Harrington – 2027 Middle Blocker
- Megan Hodges – 2028 Middle/Right Side
- Shayla Rautenberg – 2028 Middle Blocker
- Marlee Steiner – 2027 Middle Blocker
- Kyla Williams – 2027 Middle Blocker
These sessions offer a rare opportunity to see future collegiate stars compete in a high-level training environment, and for Louisville, it’s a key step in building future classes while deepening ties to USA Volleyball’s developmental pipeline.
As the Cardinals continue to make their mark nationally, Coach Mikesch’s presence in Colorado is just one more sign that Louisville Volleyball is all-in on elite development—both now and for years to come.
Photo Credit: University of Louisville Athletics
