Miss Volleyball Finalist Profile: Notre Dame Prep’s Natalie Risi
When people think of great players in the storied history of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep’s volleyball program, Katherine Carlson is one of the first to be mentioned. The 2014 winner of the Miss Volleyball award was a do-everything player for…
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Continue ReadingWhen people think of great players in the storied history of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep’s volleyball program, Katherine Carlson is one of the first to be mentioned.
The 2014 winner of the Miss Volleyball award was a do-everything player for the Irish that developed her game over her four seasons with the program.
Now, four years after Carlson’s departure, Natalie Risi has a similar story as she finds herself as a 2018 Miss Volleyball finalist for the Irish in her fourth year with the school.
“Katherine has had an impact on our program more than anyone and has had an impact on our players, especially Natalie,” Irish coach Betty Wroubel said. “Natalie has been around this program for a very long time and got to see Katherine grow as a player and as a leader. Natalie plays a lot like Katherine did, but actually has a few inches on her.”
Risi stands 6-0, which gives her some size at the net, but it is her all-around ability that has really stood out over the years. She has been called on to play nearly every position for the Irish the last four years and is
“Watching Natalie has been so fun. She has just been phenomenal. She started with us in the fourth-grade, so she is a home-grown player with us and we take special pride in that,” Wroubel said. “She just has gotten smarter and smarter each year and she is such a smooth player.
Risi started her career with Notre Dame Prep by racking up 322 kills, 441 digs and 69 aces. As a sophomore, she was Second Team All-State after putting up 282 kills, 343 digs, 79 aces, 66 blocks and 510 assists. As a junior, Risi was a First Team All-State pick after helping the Irish win the Class B state championship. She had 473 kills, 455 digs, 171 aces and 91 blocks.
As she has raised her game, her on-court intelligence has been a big part of that.
“I think my on-court IQ has improved the most,” Risi said of her growth. “I have definitely improved in my ability to read the floor and know what shot I need to hit in different situations.”
Injuries hit Notre Dame Prep early this year, but the Irish didn’t take many steps back due to Risi’s ability to wear many hats. She has 268 kills, 219 digs, 91 aces, 38 blocks and 119 assists over 74 sets this season. Her ability to adapt is a lot like Carlson, someone she has always looked up to.
“I have always strived to be a player like her,” Risi said of Carlson. “She wasn’t always the most powerful player, but she always seemed to hit the right shots at the right time. She really had tremendous ball control and that’s something I have wanted to have in my game.”
Now, Risi finds herself contending for the award that Carlson once held.
“It’s always been on my mind because of being able to see Katherine win it,” Risi said of the Miss Volleyball honor. “It’s been a dream of mine and being a finalist is something that I knew would mean a lot and I had thought about. It’s very exciting and it means a lot to me but I know I wouldn’t have been able to get to this point without my teammates and my coaches and everybody who has helped me along the way.”
Among the other finalists for the award is Risi’s teammate, Madeline Chinn (Purdue). Not only have the two been teammates for four years at Notre Dame Prep, but they also play club volleyball together.
“We have always been super supportive of each other,” Risi said of her relationship with Chinn. “I know I am excited for her and she’s excited for me. I think either one of us would be happy for the other if they won.”
Following her senior year, Risi will move on to play in the Mid-American Conference in college as part of Ball State University.
“It just felt like a home for me when I first stepped on campus,” Risi said of Ball State. “I visited a few times to make sure I was making the best decision for myself. The girls and the coaches I have met there are the kinds of people I want to surround myself with. I am really excited about what’s to come.”