1 Natalja Tinina

Outside Hitter
6-0,  Jr.
Experience: 2L
Riga, Latvia
Riga Purvciems
Birthday:  2/29/84
Major: Nutrition & Food Science/Dietetics
(updated 9/15/03)

2003 (Sophomore): Put together a break-out season for the Crusaders earning first team All-Conference and All-Region honors and honorable mention All-American accolades...tallied 784 kills leading both the team and WHAC and finished third in the nation in that category...connected on 40 percent of attacks good for first on the team and sixth in the country...also led team in total attacks with 1,637 and service aces with 71...added defense to her already impressive offensive game, finishing the season with 472 digs and 86 blocks...posted career high 33 kills vs. Doane (8/23/03) in a 3-1 Crusaders victory...best overall game at Madonna came October 10th in a loss to Lubbock Christian where she posted 32 kills and a career high 20 digs in first game after a concussion...named WHAC Player of the Week for October 20th after posting 46 kills in three matches including 18 kills and 13 digs over rival Cornerstone (10/18/03.

2002 Freshman Season: Earned Outstanding Freshman of the Year honor following stellar 2002 campaign...Saw first collegiate action August 23rd 2002 versus Notre Dame...posted three digs in two games played in her debut....The first foreign born Crusader, Tininia reached double digit kills in just her fourth game, posting 11 vs. Urbana on August 24th...Had 27 double digit kill games as the teams fourth option...Had season high 18 kills vs. Olivet Nazarene August 31st....Had 10 or more digs six times...Her 496 kills ranked fourth on the team...Was fifth in WHAC in total kills...Also an excellent server, she collected 72 aces, good for second among WHAC players...Named WHAC Player-of-the-Week October 28th....Earned WHAC Honorable Mention All-Conference honors...

Riga Purvciems Secondary School: Earned several individual and team awards in her three years of competition in volleyball, basketball, track and softball. As a standout volleyball athlete Natalja was recognized as an All-Region and All-Conference performer. As her team’s best all-around player, Natalja was selected as team captain. As a senior led her team to a first place championship finish in the Riga Volleyball Cup Competition, a second place finish in the Vidzemes District 55 student volleyball competition and a third place finish in the Riga City Class A championships. Participated in numerous extra curricular activities such as school theatre, florist club and gardening (botanic) club. Considered as an outstanding leader of her senior class, Natalja graduated in the top five of her class with a 3.70 cumulative GPA.  
High School Coach: Peter Shaporin 

Club Ball: Competed for nine years of club volleyball in the Latvian Republic, most recently with Coach Nadezhda Grishulonka. Also coached by Jlmar Pulinsh and Normund Lusis (national team coach). As a member and captain of the Latvian National Junior Team, Natalja led her squad to a fourth place finish in the European Championship in Moscow and second place finish at the Latvian Junior Volleyball Championship games, in the Spring of 2002. Was voted most valuable player after she led her junior national team to a first place finish at the Baltic Cup. Natalja also competed in the Junior Olympic Games in Spain along with competition in several beach volleyball championship tournaments. Led her team to a second place finish at the Annas Cup Beach Volleyball Championships and a third place over all finish in the Latvian Junior Volleyball Beach Competition.

Coaches Comments: "Entering her third season as a Lady Crusader, Natalja has earned national respect as one of the most productive, prolific outside hitters in the game. A powerful outside force that stuns opponents with an arsenical of attacks. Has the ability to dominate the net as both a fierce attacker and blocker. This strong, lefty will again be a go to player for us and will be expected to compete at a high level both offensively and defensively. She has an exceptional team attitude and will be called upon to lead by example. Has taken her game to an even higher level after a successful spring season. Has improved her jump, her defensive quickness and her understanding of our system of play. A big time steady performer who always performs best in tough situations in big matches. Like our other veteran returnees, we'll expect this to be Natalja's best season of record. Truly a joy to watch. Crusader fans fasten your seat belts, the best is yet to come."

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