Volleyball became sophomore Natalie Melcher’s life at the young age of 13-years-old.
Melcher, who majors in international studies, was born in Crimea and moved to Israel at just 1-year-old.
She attending a volleyball tournament when the coach of the Israel National Women’s volleyball team noticed her height, approached her, and offered her a position on the national junior team.
“I had never played before. He only scouted me for my height, then he taught me how to play,” said the 6 foot, 2 inch athlete.
After joining the team at 13, volleyball became Melcher’s life. She lived at an international boarding school for special athletes where she went to school and trained for volleyball.
There she had the opportunity to play for Israeli coach Mario Tebit, who helped lead the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team to a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics.
“He shaped me into who I am today,” Melcher said.
At 16, she moved up from the junior team to the Women’s National team and was on the team until she was 19. At the age of 18, Melcher joined the military where she stayed for two years, which is the mandatory minimum for Israeli women.
“I lost some of my volleyball skills due to being busy. I didn’t do much exercising or practicing volleyball,” said Melcher.
While in the military, she was also in the process of studying for and taking the SAT to prepare for college.
After serving in the military, Melcher took her talents to the University of Central Florida in the fall of 2013.
“It was hard to come back after the military,” she said.
She was a redshirt on UCF’s volleyball team, and, after a year, she decided the shining armor of a knight was not the right fit for her and became a NSU shark.
I was lucky enough to sit down with the strong-minded student athlete and ask her a few questions.
What is your favorite part of the game?
“Defense because I love diving and I feel like defense is the heart of the game. If a player knows how to play good defense, that player has a lot of heart.”
Are you planning to play volleyball after college?
“I will probably play because it is an easy way to make money. If I could play beach volleyball in Israel or Europe and have the opportunity to go to the Olympics, I will. But I would rather have a regular job.”
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
“24 hours before the game I try to collect myself and make sure I am calm. I also listen to motivating music and try to get focused.”
What music motivates you?
“Upbeat music motivates me. Music I can dance to.”
Who is your favorite volleyball player?
“Logan Tom. She’s an outside hitter on the U.S. women’s volleyball team. I must admit, though, Blake Griffin is my favorite athlete of all time.”
If you could play another sport at NSU, what would it be?
“Track and field because we run a lot during our practices here so I think I’d be good at short-distance sprinting.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
“I’d love to go to New Zealand because I enjoy the movie ‘The Lord of the Rings’.”
If a movie were to be made about your life, who would play your role?
“I would want to play myself.”
What is your most memorable moment in volleyball?
“Winning the Israeli Cup and the championship in the 2012-13 season.”
How would you describe yourself as a volleyball player?
“I play with heart and give everything while on the court.”
