Angel Ballesteros/THE RIDER
Natalie Reyes is an exercise science junior and a serving specialist for the UTRGV Volleyball Team. This season, Reyes tallied 29 service aces in 22 regular season matches played for the Vaqueros.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: โA fun fact is that I have a twin brother or Iโm a twin. I am the youngest and that is my only sibling.โ
Q: Who or what got you started in volleyball?
A: โDefinitely my family. My family is a group of coaches [and] Iโve been around the gym my whole life. I think it was pretty natural for me to continue playing volleyball. โฆ Being around it my whole life definitely kept the spark going and kept the love for the game.โ
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model?
A: โA lot of my family is a big part of it, but my grandfather has always pushed me to keep the faith and keep the faith in God and just put everything in Him. โฆ As far as a volleyball role model, Iโd say Audrey Smith. Sheโs [a graduate] of Sharyland Pioneer [High School] and played at Texas Tech [University] and [the University of Texas at San Antonio]. And she was a really big impact when I was younger.โ
Q: Who is your favorite volleyball player?
A: โRight now, I would definitely say Maddie Skinner. She plays for [the University of Texas at Austin]. Sheโs really strong, sheโs really confident and sheโs fun to watch.โ
Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?
A: โI like to listen to a lot of music. I would definitely say right now country music is at the top of my list. I like to listen to Chris Stapleton. And if Iโm not listening to country, some John Mayerโthatโs definitely my top pick right now.โ
Q: Which shows or movies do you like to watch?
A: โMy favorite movies, Iโd say anything with Adam Sandler. I love a comedy show or comedy movie. So anything with Adam Sandler, Iโm good.โ
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: โI think just enjoying nature itself, not being cooped up inside the gym all day is something different. So, I like going to the beach quite often. If I ever get to go hikingโwe used to go to Utah quite often, so that was something that I really enjoyed.โ
Q: What is your biggest motivation?
A: โMy biggest motivation โฆ is just representing something bigger than me. The [Rio Grande Valley] has given me so much. And I think that just being able to โฆ represent the young children here, I mean even my family members, again, I think thatโs just my biggest motivation. Just continue to pursue this degree and playing at the Division I level. Being able to represent this community means a lot to me.
Q: What do you like the most about UTRGV?
A: โI love the culture behind it. Not just the school in general, but I think the team that Iโm playing with right now. Weโre such a diverse team and I enjoy getting to learn from my teammates from across the world.โ
Q: What are your biggest goals?
A: โMy biggest goal is ultimately to obtain a degree and, then, I think right now is creating relationships and networking as Iโve gotten older. Playing volleyball and pursuing my degree.โ
–Compiled by Ali Halloum
