SANTA CRUZ >> Santa Cruz High junior volleyball talent Natalie Monroe, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter and right side, will continue her academic and athletic careers at NCAA Division I program UNLV beginning in 2026-27.

Monroe, an all-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League first-team selection in both indoor and beach, announced her commitment to play indoor for the Rebels on social media.

“I’m super excited,” said Monroe, who also plays for Vision Volleyball Club Gold 17 in San Jose. “I kinda knew for a while that it was somewhere I wanted to be, so it’s definitely exciting to put it out there, finally, and commit.”

Monroe said she valued team culture and appreciated how much the Rebels’ coaching staff cares about their players. Monroe said she and her parents has a great visit to Las Vegas in mid-September.

On her visit, she attended the Rebels’ 3-2 win over Hawaii in front of a record crowd of 3,117 on Sept. 17. She got to meet some of her future teammates and spent time in the locker room before the match.

“I got to be a part of the team culture the whole time, so it was really cool,” said Monroe, who is undecided on her major.

Monroe also had an offer from San Jose State University.

UNLV went 15-14 overall in 2024 under second-year head coach Malia Shoji, 8-10 in the Mountain West Conference, which also features SJSU and Fresno State.

West Valley College women’s volleyball coach Sam Crosson, a Harbor High alum who served as head coach at both Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and Cal, coaches Monroe at Vision Volleyball Club. He said UNLV is a good team in a good conference, which should allow Monroe to shine.

“It’s a great location for her,” Crosson said. “Her skill set has vastly improved. Her best volleyball is ahead of her.”

Crosson said Monroe excels in serving and her net play, both attacking and blocking.

“She’s still learning the game,” he said. “She’s a tall, lanky, athletic kid who can score points. Any volleyball coach worth their salt is looking for that.”

Monroe helped Vision 16 Gold take ninth place at the Junior Olympics in Las Vegas last year.

She has seen action for the Cardinals the past three seasons, and helped them win league and reach the Central Coast Section Division III final as a freshman.