Illyssa Vivo Finds Perfect Fit With UT

Tampa was a perfect fit for her and she was a perfect fit for the University of Tampa women's basketball team. Sophomore guard Illyssa Vivo said that when she decided to transfer from Indiana State University to a school closer to her Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home, she instantly fell in love with UT and the basketball tradition.

It's safe to say that the Spartans have fallen in love with her too, as she leads her team with a resounding 62 assists. Illyssa said she really became passionate about basketball when she was in middle school, despite being told adamantly by doctors to stay away from contact sports.

Vivo explains "I was born with one kidney…it doesn't really affect me too much but I have to be a lot more careful about getting hit because I don't have another kidney to spare. I wear a special pad on that side to make sure it's protected."

Despite the plea not to play, Vivo plays and she plays wonderfully. In fact, she leads the team in minutes played with 635. Not only that, she makes those minutes count by scoring 181 points in 17 games thus far. Vivo said that the team works a lot on shooting and rebounding drills, as well as "five on five and situational scrimmaging." All of that practice seems to be paying off.

Despite this season's record, Illyssa says that the team still comes out "excited and ready to play every game, even if the game holds them back." The Spartans have been victims of several single-digit losses this season and Vivo credits the struggles rebounding and taking care of the ball that has plagued the team all season to youth and inexperience. She also says having a small roster doesn't allow for much of "a spark off the bench and not having very many fresh players."

Make no mistake about it, though, Illyssa says having a short bench is no excuse for the team's struggles. Off the court, Illyssa is very happy being a student athlete. While she is kept busy, she wouldn't have it any other way. "It balances school and basketball out. If I didn't have both, I wouldn't have as much motivation towards school. It keeps me going."

As an exercise science/adult health major, Vivo knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up-a personal trainer with a special emphasis on sports nutrition. Illyssa Vivo has been playing basketball since she was eight and always knew she wanted to play ball in college.

The Spartans are sure glad she did because she has been a force to be reckoned with all season for Tampa and, as just a sophomore, we can expect the same and more in the years to come.

Written by Carolyn Simon