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Hernando's standout softball and basketball player will attend The College of New Jersey, described last year as being Division III's top college for women's athletics.
By GREG AUMAN
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 12, 2000
When Katye Altieri began looking into which colleges she wanted to attend in the fall, she sought many of the same things her coaches point to in describing the Hernando senior: strength in academics, a tradition of success in athletics, and attention to detail.
"She's exactly what we're looking for," said Sally Miller, softball coach at The College of New Jersey, whick Altieri will attend next year. "I really liked her attitude, and academically she's very gifted, the kind of person who really gets after it in the classroom."
Altieri, a four-year varsity player in basketball and softball for the Leopards, has relatives in New Jersey and was born in Philadelphia, about an hour from campus. After attending softball camp at TCNJ the past two summers, she said it already felt like home.
"I'm just excited -- I can't wait," Altieri said before Hernando's softball game Tuesday night. "The school is great academically, and the program is so disciplined and has a reputation for success. They run things just so, and that's what I am, what I want, that's what I've liked about playing for Coach (Walt) Cermak and Coach (Ernie) Chatman. It's the little things."
At Hernando, she has made a name for herself equally in the classroom and in athletics. She is Hernando's nominee for the FHSAA Academic All-State Team and ranks in the top four in her graduating class.
"I think it's a good situation for her," Chatman said. "Their academic requirements are so high, and that played a big part in her wanting to go there."
Miller said she has had her eye on Altieri since she first went to camp in Trenton two summers ago. She consistently impressed coaches with her desire to learn.
"She was the hardest worker in camp two years in a row," Miller said. "She was always one to stay late after a session, trying to learn a new position."
Altieri said the camps went a long way to making her a better softball player, and she tried to think of the week at TCNJ as a chance to take in as much about the game as possible.
"I figure that's what camps are for," Altieri said. "It's a time where you spend every second to do what you can to get better. There were so many coaches there, more coaches than campers it seemed, so there were so many people you could learn from."
TCNJ, known as Trenton State until four years ago, was recognized by Sports Illustrated for Women last year as being Division III's top college for women's athletics, and since the NCAA began separate championships for Division III schools in 1979, no college has won more national titles. That includes six championships in softball, including one under Miller, whose team is 20-4 this season and contending for another crown.
"The class coming in for next year is very talented," said Miller, who said Altieri will have a chance to contribute in his first year on campus. Two freshmen are starting on this year's team.
The question to be answered is not when Altieri will join the Lions lineup, but where. Her versatility has been a strong suit at Hernando. She has lined up at first and second base, shortstop and in center.
"Who knows exactly where she'll play for them, because she's so versatile," Chatman said. "What's good is that wherever she plays, she understands what everyone else is doing all the time."
Altieri's .435 batting average is second-best among the Leopards, who are tied for third among Class 3A schools in this week's state poll and took a 17-3 record into Tuesday night's game against Pasco. She has batted leadoff this season, scoring 24 runs and converting five of six stolen-base attempts.
Chatman said she has shown a little of everything in the past three years, reaching base 20 times on bunts as a sophomore, showing consistent ability to hit to the opposite field last year, and pulling the ball more this season.
"She's such a good bunter, but she's swinging the bat so much better this year and we haven't had her bunting much at all," Chatman said. "She's a good leadoff hitter because she gets on base often and has a good understanding of what to do once she's out there."
Altieri said she doesn't care where she plays next spring, as long as she has a chance to show she belongs in the Lions' lineup.
"I'm going to do anything to get in the lineup," Altieri said. "If I'm the best person at jumping in front of the ball in the batter's box and getting on base, I don't care. If I have to get faster and pinch-run, I just want to get my foot in the door, and then do something positive to stay on the field."