Archbishop Carroll’s Bella Sorrentino is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A three-time All-Catholic League and All-Delco girls’ soccer selection, Sorrentino represented the Catholic League in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Girls All-Star games Nov. 26-27. Sorrentino has been Carroll’s Most Valuable Player for each of the last three years, and has signed with Temple University for soccer. A standout two-sport athlete, she is also a fine basketball player for the Patriots. Off the court (and pitch), she was chosen to be the representative of Archbishop Carroll’s Student-Athelete Advisory Committee.
Q: What (to you) has been the highlight of your Archbishop Carroll soccer career – can you share it with us?
A: My highlight of Archbishop Carroll soccer was my Senior Night game this season My teammates and I were joking about how cool it would be if all eight of our seniors could score on Senior Night. We managed to score nine goals and every senior scored. For three of the girls it was the only goal of their careers. That was very special!
Q: The Temple coaches are projecting you to play midfield in college. What attribute(s) do you feel you have that make you best suited to this position?
A: I think I have a huge advantage in the midfield with my size and speed, and my ability to see the field. Although I love scoring goals, I also like putting my teammates in positions to score.
Q: Who is your favorite soccer player and why? Is there a soccer player whose game you try to emulate?
A: Carly Lloyd from the U.S National Team because she is a great player, a great teammate and a great leader. We share the same jersey, No. 10, and I hope to follow in her footsteps.
Q: Is there a reason you picked uniform jersey No. 10 for soccer and basketball?
A: It’s a family thing. It was always my brother Armand’s number during his basketball career, and my father wore No. 10 as a high school quarterback.
Q: What was your most memorable experience at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Girls All-Star games?
A: It was a lot of fun competing and bonding with some of the other Catholic League All Stars that I played against in some really tough Catholic League games.
Q: Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?
A: Bernie Holst was my first coach and introduced me to soccer. Stefan Szygiel, my club coach, for teaching me how to play at a higher level, which prepared me for college soccer. Carroll Coach Frank Olszewski, for teaching me how to be a better teammate and leader.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Before my soccer games my teammates and I blast music on the bus. I always send text messages the day of the game to help us motivate each other.
Q: What do you think you might like to major in at Temple? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: I am thinking about majoring in Communications, and minoring in Sports Management. I haven’t yet decided what careers I might like to pursue.
Q: You’re now playing basketball for Archbishop Carroll. What has been your most memorable experience as a Carroll basketball player to date? Do you plan to play basketball beyond Archbishop Carroll?
A: When I started out as a freshmen I had a great group of upperclassmen that took me under their wing. We bonded as a team on and off the court. Now as a senior I am trying to emulate those players that helped me because I know how important it was in developing me into a better player.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Archbishop Carroll? What sparked your interest in each of these activities?
A: I represent girls’ basketball and soccer when Carroll hosts their Open House for potential student athletes. I have a lot of school spirit, and I enjoy representing Carroll when I am offered the opportunity.
Fun facts – Bella Sorrentino
Favorite book: Left To Tell.
Favorite TV show: Survivor.
Favorite movie: All of the Home Alone movies.
Favorite athlete: Odell Beckham Jr.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Froze by Meek Mill.
Favorite team: New York Giants.
Favorite place to visit: Italy.
Favorite pre-game meal: BBQ chicken salad from Panera.
Favorite color: Purple.
Person I most admire: “I really can’t choose one, I admire both of my parents and my brother because they push me to do my best in my academics, athletics and to look at the positive in every situation. My parents come to all of my games, my brother when he can will surprise me and come home from college to watch a game that he knows is really important to me. They all encourage and support me every day.”
Birth date: June 13, 1999 in Bryn Mawr.
Family members: Parents Andrew and Linda, brother Armand.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls’ Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
