Senior Spotlight: Johanknecht spreads positivity, team unity now more than ever
Johanknecht commits to UW-Green Bay. She hopes to bring her attributes from her high school career to the division one school.
Despite COVID-19 throwing a wrench into the sports season gears, Natalie Johanknecht still makes headlines as she prepares for her senior season on the volleyball squad, the last one before she embarks on her collegiate quest at UW-Green Bay. Her teammate, senior Rachel Mueller, sees the optimism of Johanknecht as a much needed asset for the team’s success.
“She has a positive attitude all the time,” she said. “I’ve never met a more positive or happy teammate than Natalie. It doesn’t matter if we’re winning or losing, she’s always there to celebrate good plays and pick others up.”
Johanknecht’s resilience makes her stand out as an athlete, but also as a person, putting others before herself.
“When life throws Natalie a challenge, I have seen her meet it head on with a quiet, thoughtful approach,” volleyball coach Gillian Pakula said. “Natalie has weathered many highs and lows, as any player on a team will do, and has always embodied the ‘team first’ approach. She is a very mature young lady who has the ability to see ‘big picture’ and take the high road in tough situations.”
Mueller notices how Johanknecht’s kind and inclusive character has helped to bring their volleyball team closer together.
“If I could describe her in one word, I would choose welcoming,” she said. “She’s such a welcoming person that will always include everyone and that has helped bond our team to what it is today.”
With many years of experience on the volleyball court, Johanknecht urges younger athletes to be resilient and listen to advice.
“Be open minded to the feedback coaches have for you and realize that it is okay to make mistakes because that is part of trusting the process and learning,” she said. “It is extremely important that you have a balance in your life and that your sport doesn't take up all of your time, otherwise you can be left feeling burnt out at an early age and lose your love for the sport.”
Over the years, Johanknecht has grown into the player she is today, partly because of being able to find her voice on the volleyball court.
“I’ve seen her confidence grow and see her come out of her shell so much over the past couple of years,” Mueller said. “She’s become so much more vocal and it’s really helped to bring our team together.”
With only one more season in blue and white, Johankecht enjoys the moments with her team that she will miss.
“The thing I am going to miss most about high school volleyball will be home games,” she said. “After school, we would always go and get subs for dinner and then pick up decorations for the locker room. Once the locker room was decorated, we would turn the music up and start getting excited about the match. Also, we always had really big student sections for our home games, and I loved hearing everyone cheer and get excited when we scored.”
Johanknecht’s impact on Wildcat volleyball will set her up for success at UW-Green Bay and beyond.
“Natalie's ceiling is very high and she will continue to develop as a player surrounded by top notch players and coaches,” Pakula said. “Being a college athlete will mean that she is part of the same team throughout the whole year, unlike high school. UW-Green Bay volleyball seems like their athletes are a family, one that Natalie will fit right into.”
Johanknecht will be missed as her personality and compassion cannot be replaced.
“I’ll miss her positivity and her upbeat energy,” Mueller said. “She’s always the type of teammate to celebrate every point and pick someone up if they’re feeling down on the court. She’s one of the most fun people to be on the court with that I’ve ever played with.”
Pakula hopes her impact as a coach will stay with Johanknecht forever.
Johanknecht concentrates ahead of a serve from the other team. Her leadership on the court has resulted in the team’s success.
“My hope is that I have provided some stability for Natalie and challenged her to grow as an athlete and as a person,” she said. “I want to be a strong female role model for her, showing her that I just try to do my best everyday and that is enough.”
Johanknecht has her eyes on her next endeavour at UW-Green Bay, looking forward to the team chemistry and close knit community.
“I am so excited to call Green Bay my home for the next four years,” she said. “I can’t wait to join this group of athletes who are not only a team but a family.”
By Zade Alzoubi
Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue 3
December 11th 2020