Spring Break
Vibert Finishes As Defensive Leader
Brittany Perotti
Issue date: 5/6/07 Section: Sports
A series of fortunate events and living in a small town led hockey player Natalie Vibert to UConn four years ago.
"I signed late," Vibert said of her decision to come to Storrs. "It was down to the wire and I based it on coach [Heather Linstad]. She had a better reputation than anyone else."
And the Huskies couldn't have been happier that she joined the program.
On the ice, Vibert is one of the most aggressive and hardworking players on the team. Off the ice, Vibert's demeanor is laid back. The captain takes things "one day at a time," she said, sitting relaxed in a chair at the Student Union with her iPod close by. When teammates Cristin Allen, Dominique Thibault and Brittany Wilson come up to say hello, she greets them with a smile and a hug.
It is a combination of drive and an appreciation of the routine elements of life that has defined the success of this senior. She holds the school record for goals scored by a defender and is considered a major contributor to the team's success by her coach.
"She's one of the best skaters I've ever seen in women's ice hockey," Linstad said.
When the coach first met Vibert, her initial impression was "'Wow.' And she certainly hasn't done anything to change that."
"She has a great sense of humor," said Linstad, who calls Vibert a "tree hugger." "She's a solid, good kid. She's somebody you like to be around. She's engaging and interesting to talk to. I have no doubt that she will do great things."
As her teammates leave, Vibert offers Thibault advice, telling her to make sure that she studies for her finals. A player of few words, her support has touched not only her peers but also her coach.
"In her sophomore year, I didn't win Coach of the Year that year," Linstad said. "I can remember her saying to me, 'You know coach, that should've been you.' I've always known she appreciates everything she's gotten here. The way she approaches school and deals with the coaching staff, you know she really, truly appreciated being a scholarship player."
"I signed late," Vibert said of her decision to come to Storrs. "It was down to the wire and I based it on coach [Heather Linstad]. She had a better reputation than anyone else."
And the Huskies couldn't have been happier that she joined the program.
On the ice, Vibert is one of the most aggressive and hardworking players on the team. Off the ice, Vibert's demeanor is laid back. The captain takes things "one day at a time," she said, sitting relaxed in a chair at the Student Union with her iPod close by. When teammates Cristin Allen, Dominique Thibault and Brittany Wilson come up to say hello, she greets them with a smile and a hug.
It is a combination of drive and an appreciation of the routine elements of life that has defined the success of this senior. She holds the school record for goals scored by a defender and is considered a major contributor to the team's success by her coach.
"She's one of the best skaters I've ever seen in women's ice hockey," Linstad said.
When the coach first met Vibert, her initial impression was "'Wow.' And she certainly hasn't done anything to change that."
"She has a great sense of humor," said Linstad, who calls Vibert a "tree hugger." "She's a solid, good kid. She's somebody you like to be around. She's engaging and interesting to talk to. I have no doubt that she will do great things."
As her teammates leave, Vibert offers Thibault advice, telling her to make sure that she studies for her finals. A player of few words, her support has touched not only her peers but also her coach.
"In her sophomore year, I didn't win Coach of the Year that year," Linstad said. "I can remember her saying to me, 'You know coach, that should've been you.' I've always known she appreciates everything she's gotten here. The way she approaches school and deals with the coaching staff, you know she really, truly appreciated being a scholarship player."
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