Four years ago, eighth grader Kelli Fangonilo decided she wanted to dedicate all her time to achieving her goal of receiving a softball scholarship.
She spent her years playing on multiple softball teams and staying up late hitting off her tee in her garage. Now a senior, Fangonilo has received full scholarships to University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Berkeley, University of Wisconsin, and University of Alabama, all Division 1 teams.

"When I was in 8th grade, my cousin got a scholarship to Berkeley," Fangonilo said. "I saw how much she loved the game and I wanted to be that good. I wanted to get a scholarship."

She signed with UNLV in the beginning of November and will be attending the university in the fall.

According to Fangonilo, the reason she decided to head to Nevada is because the university offered athletic training, the major she wants, and she is already familiar with the coaching staff.

"UNLV has a really great coaching staff and a great team," Fangonilo said. "The coach used to go to Stanford, so I have known her since I was really little." According to Fangonilo, another advantage to UNLV is the warm weather and its close proximity to the Las Vegas strip (only 1 block away).

Fangonilo began playing with her cousins and father when she was around five years old. It wasn’t until she was eight years old that she joined the Palo Alto Bobby Sox.

"I never played t-ball," Fangonilo said. "I had been playing with older girls, so I joined the 12 – and – under league when I was eight years old."

Fangonilo was only at the Bobby Sox level for two years. She joined Tsunami, a tournament club team, at age 10. It wasn’t long before she moved up to the 16 and under league, and then finally, to the Strike Zone team.

Strike Zone is a club team, playing in the 18 — and – under Junior Olympic Gold League. Players in that level are generally being recruited by college teams and must show extreme dedication to the sport.

"The effort that people put into it is a lot more [compared to the high school team]," Fangonilo said. "These are girls that work really hard to get scholarships."

Fangonilo is currently playing on the Strike Zone, a year-round commitment that requires practicing in Hayward and traveling to play in tournaments. The practices are optional, but Fangonilo says she likes to go at least twice a week.

Fangonilo’s father, George Fangonilo, the new varsity softball coach for Paly, is one of the coaches of the Strike Zone team.

Fangonilo has worked hard to get to the level she has achieved. Her daily schedule consists of Paly softball practice after school, Strike Zone practice, homework, and either working out or hitting off a tee in her garage. According to Fangonilo, this has been her schedule since eighth grade.

Her hard work was honored when she was named Offensive MVP her freshmen year for the Paly varsity team and team MVP her sophomore and junior years. Fangonilo has also been named a member of the First Team All-League since she was a freshman.

"First Team All-League is the award where the coaches from each team in our league [El Camino League] pick the best players," Fangonilo said.

Fangonilo is a utility player, which means she can play any position. This year for the Paly team she will be pitching, catching, and playing shortstop. For the Strike Zone team, she plays second base.

Fangonilo said she has stayed dedicated to softball throughout the years because she loves everything about the game, from the teams to the positions.

"The teams that I’ve played on, well we’ve [team members] been really close," she said. "We’ve always meshed together. I’ve had the same teammates for the past four years. We have had the same passion. Besides, I love defense, I love offense, I love to dive around the field, I love to hit. I love this game."

Fangonilo’s post-high school plans include continuing her softball career at University of Nevada, Las Vegas and possible Olympic involvement.

"I’d love to make the Olympics." Fangonilo said. "If I’m invited, I’ll try out. But, if I’m not, it’s not a big deal."