Team Player Achieves Both On and Off the Field

MaxPreps Student Section

What qualities exemplify a "Player of the Week"? Every player is different, but this player is one that every team would want. This player is someone who is not only helpful on the field, but also off the field. At Brooklyn Tech, the person who possesses these attributes is Brielle Cardieri, a catcher for the Softball team.

Brielle has been playing softball practically since she was in the womb. Both of her parents are avid baseball fans and have been teaching her skills such as catching a ball since she was a toddler. Brielle joined a little league softball team at the age of four. She has been playing and watching for so long that she really doesn't know what she does to improve – it has just become second nature to her.

Brielle's favorite thing about softball is "that one moment where you do something that changes the course of the game. Whether it be throwing out the tying run at third base, or hitting a grand slam to end the game. Being the person to make or break the game is the best feeling in the world."

In her softball career at Brooklyn Tech, Brielle has steadily improved since freshman year, but by no means has she ever been average. She had two homeruns and a .615 batting average in her freshman year. In her sophomore year, she improved to five homeruns and a .673 batting average. Now she has a .786 average, the best batting average in the league, a grand slam and the team still has four games left in the regular season. Brielle also has an impressive 20 RBIs and 31 stolen bases, and she's only been at bat 28 times.

Other teams recognize her skill. She has been walked 15 times this season already. Brielle has the best on base percentage in the league (.864). Not surprisingly, she is also in the top 20 in almost every other category in their division.

In addition to softball, Brielle has also been on the basketball team for the past two years. The team made it to the second round of the playoffs this past season. She hopes to have a larger role on the team next year as she will get more playing time being a senior.

Teammates Deena Muzafar and Olivia Lautin are both on the softball and basketball teams with Brielle. The three spend a lot of time together, which augments their chemistry and makes both teams better. Lautin says, "The catcher position is one of leadership, and Brielle really depicts that image." Brielle also sees this bonding as a good thing, "I love the sense of community [that the team brings], and the friendships that I've made that I would not have been able to make otherwise."

When Brielle's not playing softball or basketball, she is often studying. She has exceptional grades and is extremely hard working. Often getting home at seven or eight when she has a game; she immediately starts on her homework. While some students may not be able to handle the workload, she has learned time management skills that have allowed her to succeed.

She is motivated to get all of her work done, as opposed to procrastinating. This is so that she can sleep in order to handle all of her responsibilities for the next day.

Who wouldn't want this exceptional player on their team? Brielle is more than just a good catcher; she is a mentor and a friend. She brings camaraderie and talent to the team. Brooklyn Tech is more than lucky to have a player like her. It is hard to imagine what more Brielle is going to accomplish in her senior year.