Area volleyball standouts Kamdyn Scott of Tatum and Triniti Jackson of Longview helped lead their club team to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships earlier this month in Dallas, where they finished fifth in their 17U division.
The massive national tournament had over 1,000 teams competing across 26 divisions for ages 14-17, running from June 25 to July 3 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The 17U age group featured six divisions with 381 teams.
Scott and Jackson, both rising seniors, play for the Untouchables EPA, a club based in Plano that competes in the North Texas Region under coach Ty Jenkins. It was the first time their team has qualified to Nationals, and they made it to the 17-USA Division gold bracket out of pool play and went 7-2 overall from June 30 to July 3. Out of those games they won 15 sets with six set losses.
The Untouchables EPA have competed in multiple tournaments in Dallas this year as well as national qualifier tournaments in Philadelphia, Kansas City and Chicago. They finished second at the Chicago qualifier, earning their Nationals bid. There they got to play teams from across the country in front of hundreds of college recruiters. In the 17U open division just above theirs, they got to watch players committed to D1 programs like Wisconsin, Nebraska and Louisville.
“It was really cool. It’s fun to see talent from other states because you just see Texas all the time, so it’s cool to see how other states play, and it kind of gives you a look for college,” said Scott. “I just think as a team we all did super good, and I’m going to really miss those girls next year.”
Scott plays outside hitter for Tatum Lady Eagles volleyball (612 kills, 367 digs, 74 blocks, 74 aces and 28 assists in 2024) and Jackson plays setter for the Longview Lady Lobos (635 assists, 482 digs, 401 kills, 71 aces and 52 blocks in 2024) . Their friendship dates to when they were little kids and the two first started playing volleyball together at the Wrecking Crew, a club based in Longview. During their high school careers representing Tatum and Longview, they’ve also made weekly trips to Plano to train and compete at the highest level in club volleyball.
Jackson faced adversity this summer when she fractured her shin bone, sidelining her for 12 weeks of the club season. After recovering from surgery, she made a comeback to help her team earn third-place in the Kansas City qualifier and the second-place finish in Chicago.
“Triniti doesn’t just lead on the court—she gives back off the court as well,” said Chaka Jackson, head volleyball coach at Longview. “She coaches with Wrecking Crew Volleyball and offers private lessons to many young athletes in her community, mentoring the next generation of players with heart and dedication… We are beyond proud of Triniti’s hard work, resilience, and leadership both on and off the court.”
Competing on the national stage was a longtime goal for both girls, and by the end of summer they’ll be making their decisions about where to further their athletic careers and education. They’ve been as diligent in the classroom as they are on the court, with Scott currently second in her class and Jackson completing 17 credits already at Kilgore College to put her on track for achieving her associate’s degree by Spring 2026.
Scott, a four-year starter in both volleyball and basketball, is weighing options for either route. She’s balanced commitments to each sport this summer, including a weekend at the Columbia Women’s Basketball Camp in late June in New York City, where she was selected the camp MVP, and an upcoming Select 40 circuit national tournament July 18-21 in Hamilton, Ohio with her travel team, Texas Platinum. Her summer volleyball plans will continue with a July 16 camp at Louisiana Tech and an Aug. 1-2 camp at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
It’s a demanding schedule, but for a driven athlete like Scott, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Sports is kind of my passion, so I don’t really get too tired of it,” she said.
For her impending senior volleyball season at Tatum, Scott is confident in her team and prepared to guide the underclassmen. Last year, Scott helped lead the Lady Eagles to a 40-6 record and district, bi-district and area championship wins. The program has won back-to-back undefeated district titles since the 2018 season.
“I think we’ll handle business in district and everything. And I’m just ready to play. It’s my last go. I’m with all my best friends, so I’m excited,” said Scott.
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