In the first match of the second day of the tournament, against the Gordon College Fighting Scots, Soud played an excellent game, tallying 10 kills and 13 digs. Despite her performance, Amherst lost their first match of the season, 30-15, 30-27, 32-30.
In their victorious match against Middlebury College, Soud registered nine kills in a stellar performance. In addition, in the match against Eastern Connecticut State University and Muhlenberg College, Soud had nine kills, 12 putaways, six aces and 12 digs.
A 6'0" freshman from The Bolles School of Jacksonville, Fl., Soud led her high school team, the Lady Bull Dogs, to an impressive fourth overall finish in the state. In high school, Soud received countless accolades for her skills on the court, including the Lady Bull Dog Award and the Best Hitter Award.
Soud's particular skills on the court are her offensive and defensive awareness, cooperation, tenacity and sheer power. Her impressive stats are a reflection of her aggression on the court. Her style is quick paced, attacking and unrelenting. Soud attributes her performance on the court to her teammates, for whom she has much respect, love and admiration.
A particular strength of Soud is her composure on the court. Soud never displays bad sportsmanship or signs of frustration or anger. She is always positive, optimistic and encouraging.
Soud is an invaluable outside hitter to the volleyball team. The fusion of her raw talent, teamwork and balance produce a major force behind the Firedogs' formidable 12-1 record.
A fellow teammate, Kate Raddock '06, said that she admires Soud's athletic prowess and skill. "Natalie has a huge court presence," said Raddock. "She's a great blocker and hitter. Her ability to see the open holes in the other teams' defense is a great skill … She is also very supportive of her teammates and is just one of the symbols of how deep the Firedogs are."
Soud is enthusiastic about the rest of this season. "If we continue our exceptional play as a team and go 12-1 for the next group of matches, we'll be set," she said
The Firedogs play again this Friday and Saturday at the NESCAC Quad at Tufts University.