Those closest to me call me: Nat
Hometown: Walnut Creek, California
What do you miss most about your home/hometown?
Spending time with my family, and my dogs of course.
Cap number: 16
How did get your cap number? Is there any significance behind it?
My oldest sister Lauren was number 12 in college, my middle sister Melissa was number 2, and I was number 6 in high school. I wanted to stick with that number but it was taken when I came in, so I chose the next best thing.
Three words to describe you as a player:
- Persevering
- Intense
- Hard Working
What would you consider your pre-game ritual?
Put my headphones on and play some good pump up music. Or when we have a home game we put music on the speakers and get psyched for the game together. You have to be in a good mental state to play this game, and music and getting loose is definitely an important way of doing that.
Favorite Post-game food: Anything hearty and filling
When not in class, in practice, at a game, or traveling, I like to spend my time…
Usually hang out with my team outside of school and the pool. Going to the beach, seeing movies, or just spending quality time together. When you are around the same people all day every day they become your best friends.
Favorite place to be off campus: On the beach with my sister’s dog
What was is about UCI that made you want to be an Anteater?
The atmosphere of the team and the school definitely. When I came on my recruiting trip I immediately felt like I would fit in with the girls. Also, Dan and Andrew are amazing coaches and I am extremely lucky to be playing for them.
Favorite class you’ve taken so far, and why?
I’m taking an Elementary School Art right now and it is one of the most entertaining I’ve ever taken. The most fun classes are the ones that you take as a team. You can make any class fun when you take it with your team.
Major: Double Majoring in Education and Psychology
Funniest/weirdest/random experience on the road, or at an away game/tournament:
My freshman year, we went on a retreat to Catalina Island before school started but half of us missed the boat. We had to take another boat ride to a different port and had to take a 3 hour car ride around the island to get to our camping site. In the moment I had never been so scared or nervous before but now looking back at the situation, and everything that happened it is hilarious. We still sit and laugh about it happening.
Personal motto/life quote/mantra: “Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward” - Victor Kiam
You’d be surprised to find out, I’m pretty good at…
Painting. I have taken art classes since I was in 5th grade.
Do you have any stand-out volunteer, or community service experiences that you can share?
I plan to volunteer at Girls Inc. this quarter and continue with the program into the summer.
What makes your team different from other teams?
We are truly a family. I have never seen or been on a team that gets along as well as this one. All 22 of us strive every day to put the team before ourselves. All of us get along outside of the pool as well as inside the pool. We spend most of our hours together in the pool, lifting weights or in class. But still our days off or free time are usually spent with each other.
Goal for 2016:
Be competitive with every team we match up against. We want to play at our level and not stoop lower to match a team. We want to continue moving up in rank and be top four in the Nation. Something the UCI Women’s Water Polo team has never done before. #ripemeaters
