Natalie Montini Signs Professional Volleyball Contract In France
February 18, 2019 | Volleyball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Former ECU volleyball standout middle blocker Natalie Montini has signed a professional contract with the Villejuif-Volley club based out of Villejuif, France. She will compete with the team during its 2019 season.
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"I am so proud of Natalie Montini for signing a professional volleyball contract in France," Pirate head coach Julie Torbett said. "My son was able to play professional soccer in Australia and it was a life changing experience. I think the same thing will happen for Natalie. She is such a great person on top of being one of the best players to ever play at ECU. We miss her every day in the gym, but wish her the best with her new challenge."
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Montini was named to the 2017 American Athletic Conference First Team, marking the first time since 2007 that an ECU player earned first-team all-conference honors. She ended her career with 330 total blocks, good for seventh in program history, and racked up 118 blocks as a senior - the seventh most in a single season. Her .341 hitting percentage in 2017 is the fifth best in a single season.
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In Montini's final campaign, she ranked third among AAC players in hitting percentage (.341) and, in conference matches, she was third in hitting percentage (.347) and 11th in kills per set (2.99). She compiled double-digit kills in 17 matches, including a career-high 19 in a 3-2 victory at Cincinnati – the Pirates' first-ever victory in Cincinnati. She also posted a personal-best .542 hitting percentage at No. 21 Wichita State on Oct. 22, recording 15 kills on 24 attempts with two errors.
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"If it wasn't for ECU, Coach Torbett and the relationships I made, I wouldn't be the person or player that I am today nor would I have this professional opportunity," Montini stated. "I am beyond grateful for the time that I had as a Pirate, as well as the experiences of which I was able to be a part."
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Montini joins I'Tiana Taylor (Sharjah Ladies Club/Dubai) and Kierra Lee-Dunson (VfL Oythe/Germany) as current professional players that competed under Torbett at ECU.
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"I am so proud of Natalie Montini for signing a professional volleyball contract in France," Pirate head coach Julie Torbett said. "My son was able to play professional soccer in Australia and it was a life changing experience. I think the same thing will happen for Natalie. She is such a great person on top of being one of the best players to ever play at ECU. We miss her every day in the gym, but wish her the best with her new challenge."
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Montini was named to the 2017 American Athletic Conference First Team, marking the first time since 2007 that an ECU player earned first-team all-conference honors. She ended her career with 330 total blocks, good for seventh in program history, and racked up 118 blocks as a senior - the seventh most in a single season. Her .341 hitting percentage in 2017 is the fifth best in a single season.
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In Montini's final campaign, she ranked third among AAC players in hitting percentage (.341) and, in conference matches, she was third in hitting percentage (.347) and 11th in kills per set (2.99). She compiled double-digit kills in 17 matches, including a career-high 19 in a 3-2 victory at Cincinnati – the Pirates' first-ever victory in Cincinnati. She also posted a personal-best .542 hitting percentage at No. 21 Wichita State on Oct. 22, recording 15 kills on 24 attempts with two errors.
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"If it wasn't for ECU, Coach Torbett and the relationships I made, I wouldn't be the person or player that I am today nor would I have this professional opportunity," Montini stated. "I am beyond grateful for the time that I had as a Pirate, as well as the experiences of which I was able to be a part."
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Montini joins I'Tiana Taylor (Sharjah Ladies Club/Dubai) and Kierra Lee-Dunson (VfL Oythe/Germany) as current professional players that competed under Torbett at ECU.
Players Mentioned
Middle Hitter
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