VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota head softball coach Robert Wagner is pleased to announce that Alivia Conte has signed a scholarship agreement to compete for the Coyotes during the 2022-23 academic year.
 
Conte is a 5-foot-2-inch, right-handed hitting shortstop from Maineville, Ohio. She attended Little Miami High School before competing collegiately at University of Charleston in West Virginia and then Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illinois.
 
"We are very excited to add Alivia to next year's team," said Wagner. "She brings speed, offensive production, and a high level of defense that will allow her to compete right away for playing time in the middle of the infield. She is a terrific student and teammate, and will fit in very well with our culture and community."
 
Conte was the top run producer on a Wabash Valley team that won 29 games in 2022. She hit .344 with three home runs, 29 RBIs and 52 runs scored. She stole a team-leading 26 bases in 28 attempts, roped 10 doubles and busted two triples. She also drew a team-leading 20 walks for an on-base percentage of .412. Defensively, Conte had a .939 fielding percentage in 62 games for the Warriors, which competes at the Division I level of NJCAA.
 
Conte joins a Coyote program that finished 28-25 in 2022 and advanced to the semifinals of the Summit League Tournament. South Dakota returns six starters to its lineup and two of its top three pitchers.