Freshman standout selected for invitation-only “best with the best” training event in Orlando on November 29
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — October 26, 2026 — DME Academy volleyball athlete Autumn Sampson has been invited to the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) Boys & Girls Indoor Accelerator, to be held November 29, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
The NTDP exists to identify, recruit and develop high-potential young athletes on a pathway toward representing the United States in international competition. Accelerators are invitation-only: there are no tryouts. Club directors may nominate a small number of their top female athletes, and NTDP staff and scouts make the final selections and send invitations directly to the athletes chosen.
Sampson has trained in DME Academy’s club volleyball program for three years, joining as a sixth grader. This fall she took the next step and enrolled at DME Academy as a full-time student-athlete for her freshman year of high school. She now trains every day in pursuit of her goal of playing NCAA Division I volleyball and, ultimately, competing professionally.
“Autumn has been part of our DME Volleyball family since she was a sixth grader, and watching her grow over these three years has been special,” said Melinda Lane, Volleyball Director at DME Academy. “She shows up every single day ready to work, and her decision to become a full-time student-athlete this year shows how committed she is to her goals. This invitation is a well-deserved recognition of that work, and it shows that the national team pathway is open to athletes developing right here in Daytona Beach. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”
“I was so excited when I found out I was invited,” said Sampson. “I’ve worked really hard at DME since sixth grade, and getting to train with some of the best players and coaches in the country is a dream come true. I want to learn as much as I can in Orlando and bring it back to my team. I’m thankful to Coach Melinda, my coaches and my family for believing in me and pushing me every day.”
At the Accelerator, athletes are grouped by birth year for a full day of instruction led by collegiate coaches from the NTDP Scouting Network and programs across the NCAA and NAIA. The day combines position-specific training, on-court competition and an off-court classroom session. Training is built around the five pillars of the USA Volleyball Development Model: Team, Heart, Body, Mind and Craft.
For Sampson, the invitation is an early milestone on a long road. Training alongside the region’s top young players in front of national-team coaches and scouts gives her a direct look at the standard required at the international level, and puts her on the NTDP’s radar as she continues her high school career at DME Academy.
About the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program
The USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) replaced USA Volleyball’s High-Performance program in 2021. Its mission is to identify, recruit and develop high-potential youth athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in international volleyball. In 2026, Indoor NTDP expanded to six Accelerator events, widening access to its athlete development pathway for youth athletes and coaches.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a private sports academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, that combines college-preparatory academics with elite athletic training. DME Volleyball offers indoor programs for girls ages 8–18 and is a member club of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball. Its campus includes seven indoor courts, four beach courts, two weight rooms, a recovery facility and a video analysis center. Learn more at www.dmeacademy.com.
Media Contact
Gregory Birgfeld, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, DME Academy
greg.birgfeld@dmeacademy.com
