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.
Natalie Hughes Season 2023
#19Aztecs Continue Road Swing at Gonzaga Invitational This Weekend
San Diego State concludes the non-conference portion of its 2024 regular-season schedule this weekend when it returns to the Pacific Northwest for the Gonzaga Invitational, Sept. 20-21, in Spokane, Washington.
Two Aztecs Named to All-Tourney Team at CBU/UCR Challenge
San Diego State volleyball players Jasmine Davis and Andrea Campos were named to the all-tournament team at the CBU/UCR Challenge after helping the Aztecs to a pair of victories over UC Riverside and California Baptist, Sept. 13-14, in Riverside, California.
Aztecs Finish Perfect Weekend with Sweep of California Baptist
Behind Kat Cooper's career-high 10 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team completed its third sweep of the season on Saturday with a 3-0 whitewash of California Baptist (25-11, 25-22, 25-22) in Riverside, California.
Aztecs Topple UC Riverside in Four Sets
San Diego State overcame an early deficit to record a 3-1 victory over UC Riverside (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21) on Friday in its opening match of the CBU/UCR Challenge on the campus of California Baptist in Riverside, California.
Aztecs Avoid Stumble vs. Portland State, Regroup for Five-Set Victory
The San Diego State volleyball team survived an upset bid by winless Portland State on Friday, capturing a gritty five-set triumph (25-10, 21-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-13) in its second match of the SDSU Invitational inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Outlast DePaul in Four Sets
The San Diego State volleyball team won its second straight on Thursday with a four-set triumph over DePaul (25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22) in its opening match of the SDSU Invitational inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs to Open 2024 Schedule at ISU Tournament
San Diego State opens its highly anticipated 2024 season this weekend when it travels to the Gateway of the Northwest for the Idaho State Tournament, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, in Pocatello Idaho. The Aztecs will face ISU, CSUN and Seattle on successive days.