Viers name to U.S. National Team

By Cody Dalton

NBA great Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve always believed if you put in the work, the results will come”. The truth is that most athletes do work their entire lives to showcase all of the talent they possess, but one local UVA-Wise student will be doing just that on a very big stage this May.

Junior volleyball player Natasha Viers received word that she will be a participant and be an ambassador for USA Athletes International volley team this May. Viers will also play in the annual “Barbados vs. USA Friendship Volleyball Tour” that runs from May 31 through June 7.

“The feeling of going to Barbados with team USA on the front of my jersey is one that I don’t think I can describe in words,” said Viers, who was elated when she received the news. “I’m thrilled and just really excited to the play the game I love the most, as well as travel to Barbados.”

Viers, a physical education major, was selected by the USA Athletes International (USAAI) not only for her success on the volleyball court, but in the classroom as well. Viers earned her second All-Academic team this past season from the Appalachian Athletic Conference. For her play on the court, Viers also won All-NAIA Region XII team honors for the second time in her career, as well as All-Appalachian Athletic Conference first team.

“We were all very proud of her,” said sophomore teammate Kristen Salyer. “Tasha's play on the court is very impressive. This says a lot about just how great of a player she is.”

USAAI, which is a non-profit organization, works in conjunction with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to promote athletic competition for athletes not only in volleyball, but twelve other sports as well, including basketball, baseball and golf. This organization is dedicated to giving athletes who aren’t selected to the USA National team, a chance to have a similar experience.

Because volleyball is in the off-season, Natasha will be spending the next couple of months training. Viers, an Abingdon, Virginia product, has already begun preparations for the team and the trip she will embark on in May.

“I’m lifting weights 3 times a week early in the morning, conditioning, and trying to really watch what I eat,” said Viers. “It’s hard at times, but I know I’m doing all of this for the sport I love and it will pay off when I get down there.”

Fellow co-captain and Senior Kate Daub had some kind words for Natasha as she prepares for the experience of a lifetime.
“Natasha has always been an extremely talented athlete,” said Daub. “I always knew that she had the skills to do anything she put her mind too. We were all very proud that Natasha was selected.”

Viers is has overwhelmed by the support she has received from her team mates and feels that receiving this honor is culmination of everything she has done since she started playing volleyball.

“I feel like everything I’ve put in even since high school has led me to this wonderful experience,” said Viers. “I always dreamed of playing professional volleyball but I never thought it would come true. All the 5 a.m. workouts, the running, and the stress have been well worth it.”

(January 29, 2007)