TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Addessi: All-Around All-Star

ADVERTISEMENT

By CLIFF GILL

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 14, 2009

HUDSON - For most of her life, Emily Addessi has excelled in multiple sports.

"I began playing recreational soccer in the Hudson Youth League at age 4," she said. "By the time I was 8, my parents enrolled me at Top Contenders Gymnastics."

She was part of a Level 2 team that won first place at the AAU Florida State Gymnastics Tournament. Individually, she won first place all-around at the Florida State Meet (first in uneven bars and balance beam, second on vault and floor exercise).

Addessi left gymnastics to be involved in other sports at Notre Dame Interparochial School in Spring Hill. There, she participated in golf, volleyball, basketball and soccer every year from fifth through eighth grade.

"Coaches had the option of putting sixth-graders on the varsity volleyball team if they had the appropriate skill level," said current Land O' Lakes AD Chuck Moehle. For three years, Moehle was an assistant principal, social studies teacher and coached volleyball for two seasons at Notre Dame. "Emily not only made the varsity team, she flourished on it. At the beginning of the season, she was a key reserve on a team full of seventh- and eighth-graders. By the fourth game, however, Emily had become a starter for us.

"In Emily's sixth-grade year, we finished undefeated at 11-0 and conference champions. As a matter of fact, Emily was part of a nucleus of Notre Dame volleyball players who reeled off 50 consecutive wins over a four-year period!"

At Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, the 18-year-old Addessi has played three varsity sports all four years. In volleyball, she was the libero and was the leader in several categories, including bruises and floor burns.

"I'm tough on myself trying to make the perfect pass and getting every point for the team," she said.

This season, her 346 digs, an average of 5.1 per game, ranked her 10th in the state of Florida, according to MaxPreps.com.

In soccer, her defense and leadership helped the Hurricanes to a 10-3-2 record.

"During her junior year, Emily played six different soccer positions before we finally made her our team's stopper," said former athletic director Mike Zelenka.

In softball, she starts at shortstop or in the outfield.

"I have been fortunate to know Emily and her family for four years," said baseball coach Nick Rodriguez. "She is an amazing young lady, a strong athlete and a great leader. Her work ethic is only matched by her upbeat, bright-eyed personality."

Addessi's work ethic carries over to the classroom with her 4.06 weighted GPA, which includes honors classes in English, physics, precalculus and American government.

"Emily's class work was always on time and completed with great detail," said government teacher Marty Williams. "Her test grades were always A's because of the time she spent preparing for each one."

Theology teacher Janice Dahm also has high praise for Addessi.

"During last year's softball season, Emily came to me asking for inspiration that she could share with her teammates during a point of low morale," said Dahm. "What impressed me was not only that she was trying to support and encourage her teammates, but she was seeking a way to shine the light of Christ for them to follow."

Addessi also rises up to volunteer in her community. As a member of her school's Key Club, she helped raise funds for disadvantaged adults and children in Pasco County. She has collected food for people in Haiti. Every December, she collects gifts for foster children in Hernando County. At her church, parishioners take an angel off the Christmas tree and return with a gift. Addessi helps gather and distribute the gifts.

"It's fun to help others," said Addessi. "Plus, it makes you appreciate how much we've been given."

Added current Bishop McLaughlin athletic director Eddie Kenny: "Emily has been one of the most consistent and driven student-athletes I've encountered since coming to Bishop McLaughlin. She is a natural leader in all positions in the sports realm and on campus. To me, Emily embodies the term student-athlete."

Teachers, coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at reportercliffgill@yahoo.com or (727) 860-4903.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT