Olivia Fazio '19 Recruiting Profile

From the first moment I picked up a softball, I knew I would love playing this game. I’ve been playing softball for 12 years, starting with t-ball. When I started playing travel ball in 8 u, I really began to experience the competitive side of the game, but seventh grade was really the beginning of my high school softball career. At Shaker High School, I was a little fish in a big sea, not knowing a lot of the older girls. I didn’t know what to expect playing this level of softball, and how I would adapt. There were a lot of talented girls on the team, but my coach, Coach Onion, said that she saw a lot of potential in the way I played the game and started me at shortstop. On travel, we just rotated and switched positions most of the time, but now I had a starting spot. I knew that I could lose this spot if I didn’t work hard, so I worked as hard as I could to keep my spot on the field. Shortstop really stuck with me through the program. The next year, I played at the freshman level. The following two years, I played on Junior Varsity. Last year I got pulled up to varsity for sectionals as a sophomore. We won our suburban council, regionals, and we placed 3rd in states. Last years sectional play was really great to be apart of. It was an unforgettable experience, especially as a sophomore. Advancing to states really showed me the true meaning of teamwork and dedication. Through my years playing softball, I have learned how to accept defeat, but also how to how to handle success. I am a dedicated and determined player and I will do anything to win a game, and I will work my absolute possible hardest to achieve that. I have learned the values of a true team, and that everyone on a team is family no matter what. I am looking for a program that will be a good fit for me both athletically and academically. I believe softball isn’t all about skill but about the character you build playing the game.