All-Star Coaches, Family Ties Highlight NTDP Girls' Combine

“Psychology Today” claims that there is no evidence to suggest that a telepathic connection exists between twins.

Don’t tell that to Ava and Brinn Findora, two USA Select U16 hopefuls competing in the USA Lacrosse National Team Development Program Combine this week at Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Md.

As Ava, a draw specialist and midfielder, and Brinn, an attack-midfield hybrid, glided across the Zolenas and Paw Print turf fields in temperatures nearing triple digits, their inherent chemistry was evident.

Telepathic? Surely not. But then …

Like out of a Hollywood script, the Downington West, Pa., products started finishing each other’s sentences.

Ava is nine minutes older and found lacrosse first. Brinn is about two inches taller and saw her “older” sister loving the sport before ditching softball and picking up a stick herself.

“It’s so fun to have someone you’re close to doing this with you,” Brinn said. “It’s more comforting and makes it more fun.”

The Findora twins do everything together, like playing on the same club team — NXT Girls Lacrosse — but were met with playful disappointment when they found out they weren’t rooming together during the combine.

“It was randomized,” Ava said. “I would prefer to be together, but I didn’t get to choose.”

Brinn quickly chimed in: “Our rooms are near each other, though.”

They were hardly the only standouts in the record-sized U16 group. The talent pool was so deep that more U16s attended the combine than ever before.

The goal? Make the Select team that will compete against international competition in the fall for the Brogden Cup.

Brinn went through the combine process last year and made the Select team. This is Ava’s first experience at this stage. They’re both soaking in opportunity.

Nearly 1,600 tried out during various NTDP sessions across the country. This year’s group of nearly 180 U16 and U18 hopefuls come from 19 states and the District of Columbia. They recognize some of the most prestigious club programs in the U.S.

“I would say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ava said. It’s such a fun experience.”

COACHES DROPPING JAWS

The obvious appeal for participating in the National Team Development Program is testing yourself and honing your skills against the nation’s top competition. An ancillary benefit is being exposed to some of the best coaches the U.S. has to offer.

Sienna Chirieleison, a Syracuse commit in her senior year at Trinity (Pa.) High School and a returning member of the USA Select U18 team, was floored by hearing U16 assistant Kylie Ohlmiller speak to the group.

“Coach Kylie Ohlmiller was here today,” Chirieleison said. “My mouth dropped. Like, even though I’m as old as I am, I still feel like a little girl around these people.”

That’s part of what drew Chirieleison to Syracuse. Every time head coach Kayla Treanor speaks, Chirieleison feels like she learns something new.

The NTDP combine has become a can’t-miss part of Chirieleison’s summer, right up there with the marquee summer tournaments and camps.

“Everybody here is amazing,” she said. “The coaching is great. Weather is nice. Food is amazing. Lodging is good. It's honestly perfect.”

Goalie Serena Reiter is experiencing it all for the first time. The Mountain Vista (Colo.) product committed to Virginia is one of five U18 invites from Colorado.

Being around the best from around the country and coaches willing to teach has made it a week to remember.

“It’s cool just to be with everyone out here,” Reiter said.