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Volleyball
CIAU National Champion 1992
Under 18 National Champion 1991
Three Time CIAU National Tournament All-Star
Two-Time CIAU All-Canadian
U 18 National All-Star
Three Female Athlete of the Year Awards
Four-Time CIAU Academic All-Canadian
From 1989-1998
 Natalie
moved to Wetaskiwin when she was thirteen. She started her volleyball
career in grade nine on the Queen Elizabeth Junior High School team. As
Natalie progressed through the high school and university volleyball
programs her love for the sport grew as did her skill level. During her
outstanding volleyball career Natalie won three Provincial and two
Canadian Championships. She was female athlete of the year three times,
was awarded All-Conference three times, tournament All-Star at the
Canadian level four times, All-Canadian twice and Academic All-Canadian
four times. Natalie finished her volleyball career by playing her sport
professionally. These incredible achievements and awards were
accomplished with dedication, perseverance, hard work and exceptional
athletic ability and make Natalie a more than deserving candidate for
induction into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Female Athlete of the
Year Three Times
All-Conference Three Times
Canadian Championship Tournament All-Star
In 1989-90 Natalie’s
Wetaskiwin Composite High School team won the Provincial Championship at
the 3A level. In the 1990-91 school term, Natalie’s grade twelve year,
the team moved to the 4A level and competing against much larger schools
was successful in winning another Provincial Championship. As a member
of the 1991 team Natalie was inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County
Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. In 1991 Natalie also played for the
Edmonton Volleyball Club. That year the team won the Canadian
Championship and Natalie was named a tournament All-Star as well as the
Outstanding Female Athlete in the club.
 Because
of her outstanding athletic ability Natalie was recruited by
universities in Alberta and Manitoba. Natalie chose the University of
Winnipeg Wesmen and had an amazing five year career with the team. In
Natalie’s second year at the U of W, the Wesmen won the 1992-93 Canadian
Championship. In 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96 Natalie was named to the
All-Conference Team and all three years the Wesmen reached the Canadian
University Championships. Natalie was named to the All-Canadian Team
twice and was a Canadian Tournament All-Star in each of the three
years. She also was awarded the National Tournament Sportsmanship
Recognitions Award in 1996. In 1996 Natalie’s graduating year, she was
the Great Plains Conference Female Athlete of the Year, the GPAC Nominee
for Canadian University Athlete of the Year and was named the University
of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Year. Additionally, for maintaining
an over 80% average in her studies, Natalie was named Academic
All-Canadian for four years during her university career. All of these
awards were a great testament to Natalie’s superior athletic prowess and
achievements as well as her academic competence.
Athletic Prowess Leads to
Professional Career
After graduating from
University Natalie spent two years playing professional volleyball in
the European League in Esmonz Portugal in 1997 and Maylan-La Tranche
France in 1998. Natalie continues to be involved in her sport by
coaching at the high school, college and university levels. Natalie’s
coaching positions and credentials include: 1997-98, coach at Steinbach
Christian High School; 1991-2001 coach at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate
Institute-4A Provincial runners-up; 2000 Winnipeg Wesmen Assistant
coach, 2003-2006 coach Linden Christian School-3A Provincial Champions,
2006-2008 coach Providence College-North Central Regional Champions.
All in all an impressive resume.
We are honoured to induct
Natalie into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame. Her
volleyball career, awards and achievements and her giving back to the
sport by coaching are accomplishments that will inspire young Wetaskiwin
female athletes. Congratulations Natalie on your phenomenal volleyball
career!
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