While the women’s volleyball team did not make the Big East Tournament this season, the future of the team looks bright. The Hoyas already have last season’s Big East Rookie of the Year, sophomore middle blocker Sara Albert, and this year first-year outside hitter Natasha Nguyen has perfomed just as well. A stellar player, Nguyen embraces the team concept as much as her own ability, if not more. Nguyen has the combination of humility and ability to carry the team in future seasons.
The 5-11 Nguyen began her athletic career playing softball and soccer at age five. Volleyball came into the picture during seventh grade.
“My friend asked me to try out, and I made the team even though I was clearly the worst player out there,” said Nguyen. “But I was tall.”
From there, Nguyen’s natural ability came out quickly, and she started all four years at El Segundo High School in Calif. During her final two years at El Segundo, Nguyen won several accolades, including the All-Bay League Most Outstanding Player for 2001. Playing for a club team, Nguyen led her squad to a first-place finish at the 2001 Junior Olympics. In addition, Nguyen excelled at beach volleyball, and earned fourth-place finishes in both the 2000 and 2001 AAU national championships.
In her first season as a Hoya, Nguyen has had no trouble building confidence. The numbers speak for themselves: 232 kills, second on the team 233 digs, third on the team and 55 blocks, fourth on the team. Her 88 aces, 0.84 per game, were first in the Big East and fifth in the country. Additionally, Nguyen’s 88 aces eclipsed Georgetown’s Tina Schneider’s single-season record of 80 set in 1988.
Although Nguyen excels individually, she also understands the importance of the team game.
“It’s a big team sport,” said Nguyen. “Every touch counts, and that brings out the best in every athlete.”
Still, Nguyen’s humility does not come from the fact that she is a first-year player on a veteran team.
“There wasn’t any freshman stuff, like ‘You’re the freshman, you carry the bags,’” said Nguyen. “Everyone knows what it’s like to come in and they never made me feel like I had to blend in.”
Part of Nguyen’s easy acclimation has to do with the fact that a majority of the team comes from the West Coast. After moving to D.C., Nguyen found a comfort zone on the team with many of her teammates’ familiar personalities.
“Most of us are from the West Coast, and West Coast humor is different than East Coast humor,” said Nguyen.
Head Coach Li Liu paints a different picture of Nguyen. In praising her budding star, Li cites Nguyen’s competitive drive as what makes her so valuable to the team.
“She has a passion for volleyball,” said Li. ” She loves to play. She loves to compete. Her personality is very tough.”
Nguyen agrees that her competitive drive is strong. She attributes it to the team nature of volleyball.
“It’s the only sport with a ball, and you can’t catch it,’ said Nguyen. “That competition makes it the best around.”
Nguyen appears to be the future of Georgetown volleyball. Her ability makes her a dangerous weapon, but her reliance on her team and budding leadership makes her even more valuable.
“Everyone leads through their play,” she said. “If I can become more consistent and play at a high level all of the time, the team should play better as well.”
Li recognizes the leadership abilities of Nguyen as well.
“She puts it down on the court,” said Li. “She brings a real high level of excitement. She’s a freshman, but she’s not afraid.”
With three years left, Nguyen will have plenty of time to improve, and possibly even break more team records. Li sees plenty of room for growth.
“She can be the strongest person on the team, ” said Li. ‘It depends on how much she works.”
