Coming off her sophomore season at Fox Lane there was a bit of an adjustment period for 5'10" guard Natalie Pence '21 now as a junior had to get used to the speed and the athleticism that she saw on a very high level this AAU season playing on the 16u level with the Empire State Blue Flames.

Eventually it all came together for Pence who was one of the more dangerous shooters that you could find in the area putting together numerous big efforts for one of the more talented Class of 2021 teams you will find, earning herself a Division 1 offer which helped boost her confidence along the way.

Playing at Fox Lane allows Pence to put up major numbers as she was one of Section 1's top scoring threats last year but at the same time according to Blue Flames head coach Nick Volchok it also means that at times she isn't playing on the highest of all levels which means an adjustment when AAU comes back into play.

"There are a number of girls who come from high schools where the speed of the game and the speed of the practices even are very slow and when they come back here with us and we play some of the top teams from across the country it's an adjustment period and it did take Natalie a little while to get back into what we needed from here," Volchok explained.

Once it came though it came in a big way as Pence was back as her usual self in July thrived from behind the arc with her lefty shot, knocking down three balls on a consistent basis while also showing that if the defense wanted to come and close out on her there was little they could do from her being a strong playmaker attacking the basket as well.

Calling Pence a very skilled kid who can go off and have big games from the outside just as well as she can contribute quietly with her IQ, Volchok believes that in July college coaches got to see everything that she can offer which is why a number of MAAC, Patriot, and America East level schools have been reaching out about one of the more up and coming 2021 prospects in the region.

For a while Pence had an offer from Rhode Island but when the coaching staff was fired the contact from the Rams dwindled which disappointed her according to Volchok as it was a team and a campus that Pence could envision herself at for four years.

It was a tough time for Pence but soon after that disappointment came an offer from UMass-Lowell which was a nice confidence boost for her in Volchok's eyes and solidifies the belief in his eyes and most others eyes that Pence is due for a very big junior season and is without any bit of a doubt a future Division 1 player.

"Confidence wise getting that offer from UMass-Lowell was huge for Natalie because it showed that people do see and believe that she can play at the Division 1 level," Volchok said. "It was great for her and she put together a really strong July so I expect a lot of big things to come."