Already with one 2019 commit, Ball State is tacking on another in Natalie Risi, an outside hitter from Michigan. A junior in high school, Risi attends Notre Dame Prep and plays with the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy.
Congrats to Natalie Risi on her verbal commitment to continue her education & volleyball career at Ball State. Go Cards! #ForeverIrish pic.twitter.com/ZYS3kpCNpQ
— NDP Volleyball (@NDPvball) September 12, 2017
A 6’0″ outside hitter (as well as right side at the high school level), Risi immediately earned varsity playing time as a freshman at Notre Dame Prep and averaged 2.2 kills, 3.1 digs, 0.5 aces and 0.4 blocks per set in year one. Year two was even better for Risi, as she became more efficient, hitting .295 compared to .206 as a freshman on a squad that won 52 matches and lost just 10.
This year, Notre Dame Prep is off to a hot start as they’ve collected 24 victories to just two losses thus far. Risi has been at the forefront of the success by putting up 3.3 kills (while hitting .301), 3.3 digs, 0.7 aces and 0.6 blocks per set.
On the club side, Risi plays with the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy. As part of the 16 Mizuno squad last season, Risi earned JVA Watch List honors and was named to the PrepVolleyball Watch List.
Risi joins Mykel Ivy in the 2019 Ball State recruiting class. While Ivy plays the middle blocker position, Risi willb e competing at the outside hitter spot, where currently Ball State has six on the roster. However, by the time Risi is set to arrive on campus, three of those six are on pace to graduate while another will be in her final season.
Some of Risi’s highlights from her YouTube account can be seen below:
Leave a Reply