The River Ridge pitcher and Saint Leo will make it official Thursday.
By STEVE LEE
Published November 18, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - Things just seem to fall in place for Kiki Von Holt.
Her transition from East Lake to River Ridge before her sophomore season went smoothly, with Von Holt saying she simply wanted to help the Royal Knights win, not take the spot of mound ace Christine Beck.
Von Holt did become the Knights' ace; coach Ernie Beck kept his daughter in the infield as Von Holt pitched two state final four games in 2001.
With Christine Beck at Florida Gulf Coast College last season, Von Holt led River Ridge back to the state final four, once more pitching in both state games.
All the while Von Holt espoused team unity and claimed to be a role player. She even declined Beck's repeated offers to bat, allowing the coach to use designated hitters.
"Her demeanor pretty well stays the same," coach Beck said. "Rarely does she get frustrated. She's very competitive and just fabulous to coach."
On Thursday, Von Holt will sign a partial academic/athletic scholarship with Saint Leo worth about half of the $21,000 cost of tuition and books at the Division II school.
"It's a lot of stress taken off my shoulders," said Von Holt, a senior. "I liked Saint Leo a lot when I went to visit."
Von Holt, the 2003 Times county player of the year, is 2-2 in state tournaments and holds the school record for victories with 33 (two more than Christine Beck).
Last season, she set season school records for wins (19) and strikeouts (220), and pitched the school's first no-hitter - 9-0 against Pace in the state semifinal.
While a state championship remains Von Holt's ultimate goal, she realizes the Knights face a more difficult road with a move up to Class 5A and the loss of four starting seniors.
"I just want to do good and have fun," Von Holt said.
Aside from hitting it off with Saint Leo coach Christi Wade, who is not allowed to comment until after Von Holt signs, the River Ridge pitcher chose Saint Leo for its size and proximity to her family's New Port Richey home.
"I didn't want to go out of state, because I would miss my family too much," Von Holt said.
Von Holt also considered an offer from Tampa but did not receive any Division I offers, which was fine with her.
"I was actually more interested in Division II," said Von Holt, who has a 3.8 grade-point average and has yet to declare a major. "I like a private school and a smaller class size."
