Kalina Natcheva Commits To St. Lawrence University's Volleyball Program

Kalina Natcheva led this year's Nantucket High School volleyball team admirably as their senior captain to an 18-2 record and the program's first-ever Round of 8 appearance. On Thursday she announced that she has committed to St. Lawrence University, where she will continue her career for the Saints' Div. 3 volleyball program.

"It still feels unreal to me," she said. "To be completely honest, playing college volleyball wasn’t really on my mind until my coaches (head coach Andrew Viselli and assistant coach Jonelle Gurley) brought it up to me during my junior season. All I knew was that I loved the sport and I couldn’t see myself not playing. I know that college volleyball will be a huge transition but I can’t wait to start."

Natcheva said she believes playing with different types of players, learning from a different coaching perspective, and adapting to a new athletic setting will allow her to grow as both an athlete and as an individual. This opportunity to grow is in large part due to the strong foundation instilled in her by her coaches and this high school program, she said.
"Nantucket volleyball has crafted me into the player I am today," she said. "Throughout this program I was taught how to work, push myself, and most importantly be a team player, be there for my team, and benefit my teammates in any way necessary."

Natcheva was asked to fulfill many responsibilities this season, and it led to her doing a little bit of everything each game. She was the team's middle hitter/blocker, a role that was filled last season by Amelie Roberts. With Roberts graduating, the void needed to be filled and Viselli looked at Natcheva as one of the players capable of doing so.

Natcheva finished the 2022 fall season with 125 kills, which was third on the team behind junior Chloe Marrero (230) and senior Kacey Riseborough (169), both of which were predominantly outside hitters. Natcheva was also second on the team in aces with 71, trailing only Yahely Del Rosario-Gomez (84).

Natcheva finished third on the team in blocks with 40, trailing sophomore Leah Crowley (46) and Riseborough (41), both of which spent time as the team's middle hitter throughout the season in a lineup filled with versatile players led by their senior captain at the top.