Driving into the Ptacek's Family Market grocery store parking lot in River Falls, the "BE AN ATHLETE" electronic message below the business sign smacks the customer in the face. 

This isn't product placement for the Pierce County Journal "Athlete of the Week" sponsor, it's real-life for Prescott senior volleyball player Natalie Ptacek.

"My dad says that all the time," said Natalie smiling and shaking her head. "He's basically telling my sisters and me to 'suck it up.’"

Pat Ptacek's no-drama hard-working attitude has left an endearing footprint on Natalie's high school volleyball career. She is an athlete, a great one, in fact, and there is no doubt about that.  

Natalie signed a scholarship on Friday morning to play volleyball next season at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the Division I Summit League. Later that afternoon, Natalie was working in the family grocery business, something she's been doing since third grade.

Natalie Ptacek attacks her grocery store duties like she does the ball as a right-side hitter on the volleyball court. From cleaning to cash registers and produce to popcorn, Natalie is part of an army of family members working at Ptacek's.

"We all do," said Natalie, as she paused to count her five aunts and uncles, two sisters, and 10 cousins.  

Natalie's older sister, Reese, was named the BIG 12 Volleyball Freshman of the Year at the University of Kansas last season. Reese was donning the Ptacek's work-issued apron when she was home on Christmas break.

"Yuuup, gotta wear the apron," said Natalie with a proud but smiling eye roll.

Natalie's scholarship signing interview was being conducted in the Ptacek's Family Market breakroom in the back of the building. The “Family Market” name is more appropriate than a cooler for fresh ribeye steaks. A couple minutes into the interview, her uncle, Raph (short for Raphael), pops his head in, also donning his black-logoed apron and fires off questions to his niece, "Natalie, you working? You selling anything out there?" 

"I just finished the deliveries," Natalie dutifully replied, "but I'm not working now. I'm trying to have an interview, Raph."

Less than a minute later, Natalie's dad, Pat, swings into the breakroom at break-neck speed.

It's easy to see where Natalie received her broad shoulders and 6'1" athletic frame. There may be easy listening "Yacht Rock" music playing in the Ptacek's IGA store aisles, but Pat brings an AC/DC "Thunderstruck" energy into the breakroom bearing another gift besides his athletic genes.

"Who's the greatest dad in the world?" Pat asks Natalie, "and you have one second to answer."

"Ah, you?" replied Natalie as the look in her eyes said she knew her dad and uncle were trying to push her buttons during the interview but still wishing they would leave.

Pat pulled a Dubai Chocolate bar out from behind his back and presented it with pride to his middle daughter on her signing day.

"Here's a present for your big day," smiled Pat.

"No way, are you serious?" replied Natalie with genuine excitement. 

"I just spent $22,000 on a pallet of chocolate bars," said Pat of his hot new hard-to-get item.

"The first time I had Dubai Chocolate I was in Italy for volleyball and now it's here!" said Natalie.

As Pat left, Natalie was politely trying to apologize for the interruptions: "There's always family wherever we go, but it is nice to be around family."

Being closer to family was one of a few of reasons Natalie chose UM-Kansas City. Sister, Reece, is 50 minutes away in Lawrence, Kan.

"My mom (Joy) and dad watch us play all the time," said Natalie. "But I also connected so well with the coaches and they valued what I value, which is my schooling and religion. I am so excited."

Karma just may be on Natalie's side for her uncle and dad hounding her like a price-check on aisle four during her signing day newspaper interview. The UM-KC Roos play their home volleyball matches in Hy-Vee Arena.

Like a volleyball libero with precision defense, Pat returns the good-natured attack with a well-timed, "Our Dubai Chocolate bars are $3 less than Hy-Vee in Woodbury."

Whether Natalie Ptacek is donning an apron with supervisors/relatives hollering at her while on the job or wearing floor burn-saving kneepads with coaches barking out instructions, she will be dressed for success.

Why? Because Natalie Ptacek is her father’s daughter. She doesn’t need to be an athlete; she already is one.