Aliya Holloman to play basketball and softball at Trinity International
By FRED KRONER
Aliya Holloman didn’t get a chance to make a final impression on college coaches this spring.
The Heritage High School softball season was canceled – as were all spring sports throughout the state – by the COVID-19 virus.
Turns out the senior didn’t need any more games for coaches to view her as a coveted recruit.
A three-sport star for the Hawks – Holloman was a varsity starter each year she played in volleyball, basketball and softball – she had options to play each of the sports in college.
Universities in Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee made overtures as did ones in Illinois.
During the recruiting process, Holloman didn’t have a pre-determined favorite.
“I wanted to play at the next level,” she said.
One offer set itself apart from the others.
Most schools wanted her for basketball. Or softball. Or volleyball.
But, she would have to pick a particular sport.
Trinity International, located in the suburban Chicago community of Deerfield, provided more of what Holloman was seeking.
“I could do both sports (basketball and softball),” she said.
Last month, she signed a letter of intent to continue her studies and academic career at the university with approximately 2,500 students.
“I have a strong passion for both sports,” Holloman said.
Over the years, she has played on travel teams in all of her sports. She began traveling with softball – the sport she calls her favorite – for a 10-and-under program.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a premature end to Holloman’s prep career, but not her ability to work out or to play for other teams.
“I still practice on my own,” she said. “I do pitching practice. I go to the field to hit and I have a (batting) cage at home.”
Her attention to detail and willingness to work on her own time are among the traits that have most impressed Heritage softball coach Vicki Roberts.
“Her work ethic for a high school athlete goes hand-in-hand with her ability,” Roberts said. “I tell my athletes, ‘The only difference between a good player and an OK player is their practice time. Which are you?’
“Aliya is always working on her sport at home. They have an indoor batting cage along with workout equipment.
“Aliya will ask for help when her swing gets a little out of whack or when her pitching isn’t quite on. She is always striving to be a better version of herself.”
Holloman’s travel team, the Midland Magic, is competing in softball tournaments each weekend this month. In addition to pitching, Holloman plays shortstop.
She didn’t feel rusty or ill-prepared when the games resumed.
“Putting time in on your own was critical,” Holloman said. “I jumped right back into it.”
The recent travel games helped offset the frustrations that set in when all IHSA spring sports were halted.
“I was very disappointed not to have my senior year,” Holloman said.
Four summers ago, she set a goal to make varsity in each of her sports as a freshman.
“I knew I could if I practiced and put the time in,” Holloman said. “I wanted to achieve and do better.”
She not only matched her expectations, but excelled beyond her team. As a sophomore, Holloman was a special mention All-Area choice in softball.
As a senior, The News-Gazette selected her as an All-Area first-teamer in basketball. Holloman averaged 20.1 points per game as a senior, 18.1 as a junior and 17.9 as a sophomore. She ended her high school career by scoring more than 1,800 points.
“I improved in basketball a lot more than I thought I would,” Holloman said. “I corrected some mechanics that I thought needed correcting.”
Villa Grove/Heritage girls’ basketball coach Dan Sappenfield regarded Holloman one of the best he’s worked with in his tenure.
“Offensively, Aliya is as good as anyone I’ve had in 15 years,” Sappenfield said. “She’s a scorer at all three levels. Coaches (from colleges) like how she can finish.”
The 5-foot-8 Holloman’s development on the hardwood is reflected by her personal growth.
“Her maturity from her freshman to senior year was tremendous,” Sappenfield said. “She’s an amazing young lady and a good athlete.
“She is ready for the next level. Every school is looking for a scorer.”
Holloman didn’t focus on her perimeter prowess as her high school career progressed.
“She relied on the ‘three’ as a freshman,” Sappenfield said, “but after that, developed an ability to get to the basket. Her field goal percentage on threes went up every year.”
Sappenfield believes Holloman’s biggest transformation in his sport came in her overall performance.
“The best thing is she became a teammate,” Sappenfield said. “We asked, ‘What are you doing for someone else?’ and she developed the ability to share the ball.
“And, she came along better defensively. She always competed.”
Holloman never needed to make sacrifices on the offensive end.
“She finds ways to make it happen,” Sappenfield said. “She is very gifted with her hand-eye coordination.”
Roberts said modern technology is conducive for athletes to get recruited despite unusual circumstances like what occurred this spring with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Being placed in a college sport is much easier now than even a few years ago,” Roberts said. “Most coaches are online and you can communicate directly with them or their staff.
“It still takes a lot of hard work and determination.”
Holloman will take the same ambitions with her to Trinity International. She wants to contribute and make an immediate impact.
Roberts, for one, believes Holloman will continue to shine.
“Aliya will do very well at the collegiate level,” Roberts said. “Aliya’s strengths have gotten her to that next level. She is very driven, knows the sports, does well under pressure, is a risk taker – which I like – and a very talented athlete.”
There will still be challenges for Holloman, some of which are difficult to prepare for in advance.
“Going off to college is always hard because most athletes have never experienced living anywhere except at home,” Roberts said. “College life is not anything like living at home.
“As long as Aliya stays focused and grounded, I predict she will do great things for her new school.”
Holloman plans to major in neonatology.
