For Natalia Vallin, soccer has never been just a sport—it’s been a lifelong passion woven into the fabric of her family and, ultimately, the path that has led her to the next chapter of her athletic and academic journey.
Now, that journey is taking her across the country.
The Pahrump Valley High School standout has officially signed to play collegiate soccer at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, marking a major milestone for one of the area’s most dedicated and dynamic athletes.
Vallin’s love for the game began almost as early as she can remember.
“I started playing soccer around four years old,” she said. “My family has always been big on soccer—my brother played, my dad played, my grandpa played—so it was just kind of in the family.”
What began as a way to be active quickly turned into something much more. From her early days in AYSO to club soccer, Vallin found herself drawn deeper into the game, developing both her skills and her passion. But like many athletes, her journey was not without its challenges.
After playing for a local club team, Vallin stepped away from soccer for nearly two years following the loss of Coach Dusty Park and the disruptions brought on by COVID. During that time, she explored other sports, including softball and basketball, but nothing ever quite replaced what she felt on the soccer field.
“Nothing compared to soccer,” she said. “It just always stuck with me.”
When high school began, Vallin made the decision to return to club soccer—this time with a renewed sense of purpose. After her freshman year, she earned a spot on a Las Vegas-based club team, and eventually helped her high school team to a state Championship during her sophomore season.
Still, Vallin knew she needed more exposure if she wanted to take her game to the next level.
That decision led her to join Heat Surf, a higher-level club program that proved to be a turning point in her recruitment journey.
“The difference was huge,” Vallin said. “At my old club, we’d maybe have seven college coaches watching our games. At my first showcase with my new team, there were 50 or 60 coaches at just one game.”
Through a combination of showcase tournaments and relentless self-advocacy—sending out 20 to 30 emails before each event—Vallin began to get noticed. Using platforms like SportsRecruits, she built a detailed profile highlighting her achievements, academics and skills, while also tracking which college programs were showing interest.
Her breakthrough moment came at a showcase in Florida, where a coach from LeTourneau University saw her play.
That initial connection turned into consistent communication, followed by another evaluation at a Texas showcase. From there, the relationship continued to grow until Vallin made an official visit to campus just weeks ago.
“That’s where I committed,” she said. “I got to train with the team, meet everyone, and it just felt right.”
LeTourneau University, a NCAA Division III program, offered Vallin not only a chance to continue her soccer career, but also a strong academic opportunity. With her current GPA, she has already secured approximately $27,000 in academic scholarships, with additional funding opportunities tied to her campus visit.
She plans to major in business, beginning with a general program before potentially specializing in a specific area after her first year.
Beyond academics and athletics, Vallin is also excited about the change in scenery.
“It’s completely different from here,” she said of East Texas. “Everything is green, there are big trees, lots of grass—it’s beautiful. And the people are really nice.”
While her future is now firmly set, Vallin’s path to this moment wasn’t always clear.
“I always thought I wanted to play in college when I was younger,” she said. “But as I got older, things got harder, and I kind of drifted away from that idea.”
That changed during her senior season at PVHS, where Vallin delivered an outstanding performance and was named Offensive Player of the Year for the 3A South.
“That really gave me confidence,” she said. “It made me feel like I could actually do this if I pushed myself.”
From that point forward, Vallin fully committed to the recruiting process—and the results followed.
Her success is a testament not only to her talent, but also to her perseverance through adversity, including difficult coaching relationships earlier in her career that nearly led her to walk away from the sport altogether.
Instead, with the support of those around her, she pushed through.
Vallin was quick to credit Pahrump Valley High School Head Coach Amy Carlson for helping her rediscover her confidence and love for the game.
“Amy was a huge supporter during my recruiting process,” she said. “She always encouraged me to push myself and get out there. She celebrated everything, big or small, and that meant so much to me—especially after not having that kind of support before.”
She also expressed deep gratitude for her parents, Victor and Karla Vallin, who played a critical role behind the scenes throughout her journey.
“My dad has put in countless hours driving me to games and traveling,” she said. “Club soccer is expensive, and he’s always been there, supporting me and helping me succeed.”
As Vallin prepares to take the field at the collegiate level, her story stands as an inspiring example of hard work and a deep love for the game.
From a four-year-old kicking a ball because it ran in the family, to a standout player earning top honors in Southern Nevada, to now signing to play at the next level—her journey has come full circle.
And in many ways, it’s just getting started.
