SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Saint Leo Department of Athletics launched a student-athlete spotlight, recognizing two student-athletes (one male and one female), who excelled in their respective sport and/or in the classroom, each month. The student-athletes selected for the month of February are Matthew Daniel of the men's swimming team and Nina Vattovaz of the volleyball and beach volleyball programs.
Matthew is a current junior who has a 3.60 cumulative GPA. He is determined and hardworking, as can be seen through the triumphs and obstacles he has faced. As a freshman, Matthew qualified for the NCAA Nationals, but one week before the meet, he suffered a season-ending injury that required him to obtain surgery. The necessary medical procedure usually takes up to two years for someone to fully recover, however, Matthew qualified for the National meet again within the next year. At that year's NCAA National Championship, Matthew received a good enough score to help him garner an NCAA All-American Honorable Mention title.
Nina is a first-year graduate student this year after graduating with her bachelor's degree at Saint Leo as well. She played four years on the indoor volleyball team; with this being her fourth with the beach volleyball program. Nina has been an resident assistant (RA) as an undergrad and is currently working in a GA position with Residence Life during her graduate school studies. She can be described as a mature leader and always being willing to give her time and energy to help anyone she knows. Nina has been a great captain for the beach team and also was a strong leader for her indoor team. Academically, Nina also does very well and was a member of the 2020 Fall President's Club. Outside of athletics and academics, Nina is an international student from Italy and has achieved all of her accomplishments while not being home in almost two years due to COVID-19.
- Name: Matthew Daniel
- Sport: Men's Swimming
- Hometown: Alton, Illinois
- Major: Business Management
- Year: Junior
- Get to know more about Matthew
- Why did you choose to attend Saint Leo? I've always wanted to attend a school in Florida and after talking with coach Paul I thought Saint Leo was a good fit for me.
- What song describes you or is the soundtrack to your life? Why? I would say Stronger by Kanye West, I've had a lot of setbacks in life and they have all helped me get better and to where I am today.
- What made you start playing your sport? How long have you played? I started swimming when I was six years old at a summer club because some of my friends were doing it and I decided to stick with it. I enjoy it being a team sport, as well as the individual competition that comes with it.
- Favorite memory from your time at Saint Leo (in or out of the pool)? My favorite memory at Saint Leo was last year at conference when I qualified for NCAAs after a long recovery from labrum surgery.
- What do you look forward to most about your future? I would like to find a career that I really enjoy and have a family.
- If you could say something to your freshman year self, what would it be? I would tell myself that time passes by faster than ever and to really enjoy each day to the best of my ability.
- If you had a superpower, what would you want it to be? If I were to have any superpower, I would choose to pause time whenever I chose.
- What are three things on your bucket list? 1.Travel as much as possible 2.Find a job I love doing 3.Get lucky enough to enjoy retirement
- If you could change one thing about your sport, what would it be? I wouldn't change anything about the sport of swimming.
- Favorite quote: "Everything lost can be found again except for time wasted."
- Name: Nina Vattovaz
- Sport: Volleyball, Beach Volleyball
- Hometown: Trieste, Italy
- Major: MBA in Data Analytics
- Year: Graduate Student
- Get to know more about Nina
- Why did you choose to attend Saint Leo? The story of why I came to Saint Leo is a little odd. I am originally from Italy and I did not know what to do after high school. I received an email from one of my previous coaches asking me if I was interested in going to the United States to study, and he connected me with the Saint Leo coach. I loved the teammates and the coaches from the start, they made me feel like I was at home and made me feel comfortable even before stepping foot at Saint Leo. I love the community and the school gave me so many opportunities throughout the past five years. It is really a blessing to be here.
- What song describes you or is the soundtrack to your life? Why? Bon Jovi – It's my life. I do not really have a reason, but when I was 16, I went to see his concert in Milan, and it has kind of stuck with me. Also, my coach has been playing it at practice and he says that when Bon Jovi plays there is no reason to not be great. So, having it as the soundtrack of my life makes me think I have had and will have a great life.
- What made you start playing your sport? How long have you played? I started playing volleyball when I was seven years old, but I have only played beach volleyball since my sophomore year of college. I came to Saint Leo to play volleyball, but during my sophomore year the beach volleyball program started, and I joined the team. It was love at first sight because I love the environment and one of my favorite parts is not having to wear shoes!
- Favorite memory from your time at Saint Leo (on or off the court)? Winning the south region final and flying to Denver to participate in the Elite 8.
- What do you look forward to most about your future? In the immediate future, I look forward to starting season and getting to play. In the long-term future, I look forward to seeing if I will be able to start a career in the United States.
- If you could say something to your freshman year self, what would it be? I would tell my freshman year self to be patient because everything eventually works out. Also, to enjoy every minute because time flies.
- If you had a superpower, what would you want it to be? Teleportation, I have not seen my family in over a year and a half and being able to teleport myself to Italy whenever I want would be great.
- What are three things on your bucket list? 1. Win a national championship 2. Visit the Grand Canyon 3. Skydiving (I do not think I will ever be brave enough to do it)
- If you could change one thing about your sport, what would it be? I would like to have a longer season.
- Favorite quote: "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships."
Check out the previous Student-Athlete spotlights:
October,
November,
December,
January
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