Player Profile: Alexis Constantino – Clarion

D9Sports.com and EYT Media are doing a series of player profiles on returning high-school athletes this summer. The year in school listed by the athlete is the year the athlete is entering this fall.

ALEXIS CONSTANTINO – Junior – Clarion Area

Son of: Dave and Kim Constantino

Sports Played: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

2015-16 Highlights: Alexis played a key roles in all three sports as a sophomore for Clarion. In volleyball, she was a starter on Clarion’s District 9 Class A championship team and her ace during the Lady Cats comeback in the fifth set from down 12-6 to A-C Valley played a key role in the rally. In basketball, she played in 21 games and averaged 4.5 points per game including a season-best 12 points against Clarion-Limestone Dec. 22 while also scoring 11 in a District 9 playoff win over Johnsonburg Feb. 17. In softball, she was a key member of Clarion’s District 9 Class A runner-up team that qualified for the PIAA playoffs hitting .292 with a pair of doubles and seven RBIs in 16 games while also going 3-3 in the circle with a 2.06 ERA while recording 14 strikeouts in 33 ⅓ innings of work. She missed a part of the middle of the season with an injury but came back strong and was Clarion’s starting third baseman down the stretch. She had the Lady Cats lone RBI in the D9 title game 2-1 loss to DuBois Central Catholic.

Post High School Goals: Alexis would like to go to college and become a pharmacist. She isn’t sure if she will play sports in college but if she would get a scholarship for one she would definitely consider it.

Q&A With Alexis Constantino

D9Sports: Do you have a favorite sport, and if so why?
AC: I don’t have a favorite because I enjoy all three equally.

D9: What is your best high-school related sports memory and why?
AC: During the volleyball season this past year we defeated A-C Valley in the D9 championship game in five sets. We trailed 12-6 in the fifth set until we scored five straight points to cut it to 12-11. We then went on to defeat them 16-14. I personally remember the last points as the ball was hit back over the net too our side and it touched the ground just out of bounce right beside me and immediately we swarmed the area with pure excitement!

D9: Has there been a coach and/or teacher who has influenced you the most in your high-school career to this point, and if so, why?
AC: My dad has had a big impact on my high school career not only as a teacher but as a coach. He has coached me and pushed me to the best I can be from a very young age. We would go out back and I would pitch and work on hitting for hours or we would go on our patio and work on ball handling drills and simple drills like layups and jump shots. He definitely has a big part in the person and player I am today.

D9: What do you like best about playing sports in high school?
AC: Sports keep my mind busy and is a good stress reliever from a long, hard day. Also, it helps keep my body in shape.

D9: What is the hardest part about playing sports in high school?
AC: Time management. Being able to do a 3-hour practice after school then getting all your homework done as well as keeping your grades up and getting a good night sleep can be very challenging things for me sometimes.

D9: How much offseason work do you put into your sports?
AC: I put in countless hours of work during the offseason. For example, I work all summer doing PEAK, which is a lifting program, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Then, on Tuesdays and Fridays, we have volleyball open gyms as well as basketball open gyms. In the winter months, we have softball open gyms in the afternoon on Sundays.

D9: What is your favorite subject in school?
AC: Science.

D9: What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t playing sports?
AC: I like to go for walks with my dogs, hang out with friends and do my daily Bible devotions.

D9: What are your goals for the upcoming school year both sports wise and academically?
AC :I set high goals for myself. In all three sports, I will work to make it on the all-conference team. In school, I will continue to work on keeping my GPA high throughout the year.