Glory Days: Colleen Boilini's 2001 Softball Playoff Run

In only one sport--volleyball--she didn't start on the varsity team as a freshman. But many could tell early on that Colleen Boilini was going to be a good one.

"One of things that would catch everyone's eye--and still does--is her speed,'' said softball coach Lydia Gonzales. "She could motor down to first in under 3 seconds. On the bases, she was nearly unstoppable in stealing bases."

Boilini, now an athletic supervisor for Highland Park's Park District, ushered in a new era of competitive sports when she brought that dazzling speed and skill to three sports at Highland Park High School. She graduated in 2001 and then played softball at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.

She became a potent outside hitter for the volleyball team in the fall. She was the starting point guard during basketball season. However, the Giants softball team would make some noise in 2001, mainly due to its veteran starter at shortstop and her hitting.

"I was involved in everything,'' Boilini recalled. "There was a lot of action when the ball was hit to my side of the field. And I was the leadoff hitter. I was pretty fast, I guess."

That statement of pure speed is supported by facts. Her high school record for steals stands at 83 over four years.

To be honest, the Giants had not exactly tore up the Central Suburban League in softball. However, Boilini and nine other teammates began to chalk up wins during the 2001 season.

With Becky Knotek on the pitching mound and Boilini at the shortstop position, the wins began to mount. There was a slugging catcher in Dana Rosenblatt and Joanna Solomon was solid at second base to provide further support.

"We had all played travel ball since we were 10 or 11,'' Boilini said. "Lydia was our coach and we all stayed together. There were only 10 of us, so we definitely had a tight-knit group."

The Giants made a run at winning 20 games that spring. And then Highland Park won the regional title against rival Deerfield High School, its partner in Township High School District 113.

"We beat them in extra innings,'' Boilini remembered. "I think it was 1-0. I got on and stole second. Dana Rosenblatt drove me in."

The team reached the supersectional at Barrington's Field of Dreams. Highland Park won 23 games that spring but fell one game short of a team trip to the state championships.

"Every year, she continued to grow with the game,'' Gonzales said. "For her size, about 5-foot-5 or so, she had power in hitting the ball."

In that special season, Boilini's batting average was .374, a school record that still stands. The leadoff hitter slugged to the tune of .571. That mark was helped along by four doubles, two triples and two home runs.

A true fan of basketball, Boilini had decisions to make following high school.

"I still love basketball,'' she said. "But I ended up with softball. I was better at that."

Of course, despite her small stature, she was pretty adept in volleyball as well.

"Colleen kept getting stronger and stronger physically,'' Gonzales said. "Her vertical jump was two feet. She played front row for the varsity volleyball team as a front row hitter."

Coach and player have been reunited in the work world.

"In the summer, I'm Lydia's boss,'' Boilini said. "During the season, she's my boss."

In addition to her duties at the Park District, Boilini is coaching junior varsity softball at the high school.

"I just loved playing sports at Highland Park,'' Boilini said. "It was a fun time. Highland Park was great for me."

And Boilini was great for Highland Park, too.

"Colleen has been one of the best athletes I have ever coached,'' Gonzales said. "Her mental toughness and her physical attributes worked to constantly win and they still do."