Natalie Hughes Season 2024

2023 SEASON (As A Freshman): Appeared in eight matches off the bench, finishing with seven kills, three block assists and one dig across 13 sets… Made her Aztec debut against Kansas State at the Hotel Vance Rose City Showdown in Portland, Oregon, totaling one kill and one block assist in two sets played (8-26-23)… Contributed one kill and a season-high two block assists the following day against tournament host Portland State (8-27-23)… Blasted a career-high four kills while adding her first collegiate dig and setting assist in a home clash with New Mexico (10-7-23)… Entered as a reserve for one set in her final match of the season vs. Nevada (11-2-23).

PRIOR TO COLLEGE: Graduated in 2023 from North High School in hometown of McKinney, Texas, where she won four varsity letters under head coach Libby Rodriguez … Earned first-team High School All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) after leading the Bulldogs in kills (473), kills per set (4.4), hitting percentage (.316), total blocks (83), and blocks per set (0.8) during her senior campaign, according to MaxPreps … Led McKinney North High to its second straight Class 5A Region II quarterfinal playoff berth after a finals appearance in 2020 … Amassed over 1,100 kills during her prep career and set an all-time school record with 353 total blocks, according to MaxPreps … Garnered first-team all-District 13 5A accolades in 2021 after collecting Blocker of the Year plaudits in 2019 … Was listed among PrepVolleyball’s Top 150 players for the class of 2023 and received All-America honorable mention from the website … Played for the renowned Madfrog Volleyball Club, helping her squad to a fifth-place tie in open competition at the 2022 Girls Junior National Championships … Also attended the 2022 Under Armour Camp … Excelled in the classroom as well, earning her school’s academic excellence cord.

PERSONAL: Born in Grapevine, Texas … Parents are Wayne and Tina Hughes … Plans to major in business at San Diego State.