Gifted Hawkins enjoys high-flying career

Two weeks ago, Altrese Hawkins played three volleyball matches for the Hoffman Estates volleyball team in the Early Bird Classic at Conant High School.

But her day's activities were hardly over after the final match.

The 6-foot senior middle blocker then donned a new uniform, still in Hawks orange and blue, and a few hours later she was proudly marching on the football field at halftime of the Hoffman Estates game.

Hawkins plays the piccolo in the school's band, a quiet instrument for someone who is so dynamic on the volleyball court.

Hawkins is one of the most explosive attackers in the Northwest suburbs, and she will continue pounding the ball at the Division I level.

Last May, Hawkins made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Memphis, where she will study biology and psychology en route to becoming a veterinarian.

"I've always loved animals since I was real little," said Hawkins, a National Honor Society member and peer leader at Hoffman.

Hawkins works at the Knollwood Hospital for Pets in Schaumburg.

But she puts in the most work on the volleyball floor.

"She is so dedicated," said first-year Hoffman coach Dan Hutton. "She is always asking to stay after practice to work on things."

Hawkins made her presence felt when the Hawks lost to Barrington in their Mid-Suburban West opener 11 days ago.

"She is the real deal," said Barrington coach Chris Bronke. "She is just a freak athlete who is getting better and better.

"What impressed me most is that she played all six rotations against us. I tip my cap to her because she has become an all-around player.

"Memphis overachieved," Bronke said. "They are very lucky. Two years from now, that girl has the potential to be an All-American."

Not bad for someone who didn't start the sport until she was in the seventh grade.

"And in eighth grade, I thought I was going to quit," she said. "I was not coordinated with my height, and I had no knowledge of the game."

But after playing on the freshman "A" team at Hoffman, Hawkins joined the Sky High club.

"I had a wonderful season," she said. "That's when I started getting into things. I received a lot of instruction."

Hawkins played on the Hoffman junior varsity team as a sophomore and then became a varsity player as a junior.

She also ran track and field as a freshman and sophomore.

"I tried a few different sports," said Hawkins, the daughter of Gerard and Rose. "Soccer I didn't like, and basketball was a little too physical."

Volleyball proved to be the perfect choice.

"I love hitting and blocking, too," Hawkins said. "I'm finally starting to play back row and defense and getting to like that.

"But I'll always love hitting."

Hawkins was a big hit in the eyes of Memphis recruiters.

"When I first saw the college coaches at a club tournament, I didn't even know who they were," she said.

"They (Memphis coaches) saw me this past January at a tournament in Indianapolis and then we started communicating."

Hawkins visited the campus on March 26.

"I loved it," she said. "And the beautiful weather there. I liked how the houses were built and I saw a lot of construction on campus, so that means they're trying to make it better."

Hawkins is trying to make her game even better.

"She keeps improving her all-around game and I want to keep her on the floor as long as I can," Hutton said.

"Her hard work and dedication to our volleyball program are two of her biggest assets. She is always so positive and has taken a lot of the younger girls under her wings."

"I definitely want to be a leader this fall," Hawkins said. "I want to encourage my teammates and raise the confidence of our younger players."

Hawkins has raised her game to be one of the best around.