University Southern California Trojans
Natalie Hagglund Continues Strong Effort In Peru
July 24, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
July 24, 2011
(this feature was written by USC sports information intern Seth Rubinroit, who is working for the FIVB in Peru for the 2011 U-20 Junior World Championship)
Given the tough schedule of the USC women's volleyball team, all of the Trojans can claim that they have played against the toughest competition in the country.
USC sophomore libero Natalie Hagglund, however, can now say that she has competed against the toughest competition in the world.
Hagglund is in Trujillo, Peru, representing the United States in the 2011 FIVB Volleyball Women's Junior World Championship.
"It is such an honor," Hagglund said. "At USC, you represent the school, alumni, family, and friends. With Team USA, you are representing the entire country."
Despite only having 10 days of practice before the tournament, Hagglund has developed strong chemistry with her teammates--including UCLA's Kelly Reeves, who Hagglund now calls her best friend.
"A lot of us have played against each other before, and been rivals for years," Hagglund said. "But after we started living together, I fell in love with all of the girls."
In the first competition, a win in straight sets against Belgium, Hagglund recorded a match-high 11 digs.
The next day, Hagglund helped the United States defeat Poland in four sets with a match-high 19 digs.
"[Hagglund] is an outstanding leader," USA coach Robert Browning said. "She communicates very well, brings a lot of energy, and is obviously a big part of our success."
Hagglund, a sophomore from La Costa Canyon High School in Encinitas (Calif.), was the Trojans' starting libero last season. She averaged 3.98 digs per set, and was named to the 2010 Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman Team as USC advanced to the NCAA Final Four. With much of the core returning, including Kendall Bateman, Alex Jupiter, and Lauren Williams, Hagglund is optimistic about the 2011 season. "I think we have really good chance of winning the national championship," Hagglund said. "It will take a lot of hard work, but our players know that and are excited to get started."
