NTDP Session 1: The OPP/MB Veterans Delivered

If there was one thing Day 1 at NTDP proved, it’s that the veteran OPPs and MBs came ready. The level of play at the net was high all session long, with elite blocking battles, physical attacking, and future college stars going directly at each other in one of the most competitive environments of the spring. The pace was fast, the reps were physical, and there were very few easy swings anywhere in the gym.

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No better place to start than with Megan Hodges. The 2028 T Street Volleyball OPP/MB was one of the biggest standouts of the entire morning session and looked dominant both in the middle and on the right side. At 6’5”, she immediately catches your attention physically, but what really separated her was how active and explosive she looked from the moment drills started. Hodges was drilling balls out of the middle early, generating touches constantly, and making life difficult for nearly every hitter she faced. One of the best matchups of the day came when Hodges went head-to-head with Penn State commit Nejari Crooks. Crooks is not an easy player to block, honestly, very few players even slow her down consistently: but Hodges absolutely challenged her early with her length, timing, and ability to seal space at the net. Especially for a 2028, her comfort level competing physically against elite older attackers was impressive. She never looked overwhelmed by the speed of play and continued to impact the session on both sides of the ball. At the same time, the matchup also showed exactly why Crooks is so highly regarded nationally. Once she adjusted to the rhythm and physicality of the session, she started finding more offensive success and showing off the arm speed and scoring versatility that make her one of the top opposites in the country. That was really the theme of several of these battles: elite players forcing elite adjustments from each other.

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We also got several strong looks at Pitt commit Kyla Williams, who looked extremely comfortable competing in this environment. Williams played like someone who has been in these moments before. She understood the matchup across the net, mixed in smart shots and sneaky angles, and consistently found ways to score without forcing swings. What continues to make Williams special is the combination of sheer athleticism and intensity she brings every single rep. She plays hard constantly, competes hard constantly, and still has the touch and versatility to make smart offensive decisions at full speed. Another player who stood out for very different reasons was Sarah Floyd. In a gym where the pace can speed players up quickly and cause even high-level athletes to look frantic at times, Floyd looked calm from start to finish. Everything about her game on the right side looked controlled and natural. She attacks with the range and confidence of a high-level outside hitter while still bringing elite size and length at the net. Floyd plays like someone completely comfortable in big-time environments, and honestly, with her résumé, that makes perfect sense. Her ability to stay composed while still playing aggressively stood out all session long.Penn State commit Taylor Harrington also had several impressive moments in the middle, including some really clean blocking sequences. Harrington fits the mold of the modern athletic middle blocker: long, lean, explosive, and extremely agile laterally. She moves exceptionally well closing blocks and has the mobility to stay active in transition while still remaining an offensive threat from different areas of the court. Her physical profile combined with her movement ability makes her incredibly difficult to play around once she gets established at the net.

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On the other court, SCVC Utah’s Taylor Freeland got quality reps on the right side while Nebraska ONE’s Shayla Rautenberg once again reminded everyone why she remains our No. 1 overall player in the 2028 class. Rautenberg simply brings the complete package. Obviously the physical tools jump out immediately, but beyond that, she brings leadership, energy, consistency, and a level of maturity that elevates the entire court around her. She competes hard every rep, communicates well, and impacts the game in multiple phases.Her reach and ability to influence the block stood out throughout the session, and she continues to look like a player capable of contributing at virtually any college program. The long-term ceiling remains incredibly high, and the potential for her to eventually become a National Player of the Year-level athlete still feels very real. Rautenberg also saw action against Nebraska commit Kendall Omoruyi, who absolutely looked the part physically. There has never really been much question surrounding Omoruyi’s athleticism or upside, and Day 1 only reinforced that further. She moves well, plays above the net naturally, and has the kind of physical ceiling that immediately translates at the highest levels of the game. The fit at Nebraska makes a ton of sense, and she continues to look like a player whose best volleyball is still very much ahead of her.

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Overall, the veteran OPPs and MBs absolutely delivered on Day 1. The physicality, pace, and competitiveness of these matchups created some of the best reps in the gym, and several established names continued proving exactly why they’ve already built national reputations.