UT Women’s Basketball Adds 10 for 2012-13 Campaign

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball program has announced the addition of 10 players for the 2012-13 season. The student-athletes will enroll at UT in the fall of 2012 and will be eligible for the upcoming season.

Among the newcomers for Tom Jessee's Spartans are: Angela Alvarez (Boynton Beach, Fla.), Juliana Cavallaro (Venice, Fla.), Samantha Curley (Milton, Mass.), Kai Jones (Tampa, Fla.), KeAla Jones (Kansas City, Mo.), Melissa Levy (Newtown Square, Pa.), Catherine Matthews (Barrington, R.I.), Sadie Oyer (Huntsville, Ohio), Tarah Tipton, (Lancaster, S.C.) and Shamika Williams (Baltimore, Md.).

The group includes six players who will enter from the high school ranks, two junior college transfers and two from the NCAA Division I ranks. The student-athletes also represent seven different home states.

"We really like the class as a whole," says Jessee. "We got what we were looking for and added a variety of experience. We filled some holes in every class we had and strongly believe this class has a chance to be a special class at UT. The freshman will be able to be brought along based on their development due to the transfers. This group as a whole has done great in the classroom and in the community. We expect them to help carry on the tradition at UT."

Click here for the Class of 2012 photo gallery

Angela Alvarez - Forward - 5'10" - Freshman - Boynton Beach, Fla. - Saint Andrew's School
High School: Graduated from Saint Andrew's School while playing for coach Andy Russo…Averaged 16 points and 20 rebounds per game as a senior…As a junior, averaged 19.8 points and 16.6 rebounds per game…Set every school rebounding record…Named team MVP in both junior and senior seasons…First-team all-county as a junior…Player of the Year as a senior…Received all-state honors as junior and senior…Was top rebounder in Palm Beach county in each of final two seasons…Also participated in track where she owns shot put and discus records…Was track MVP and state qualifier as junior and senior…Named most outstanding field event performer as a junior.
Personal: Recipient of Math Award…Volunteered at basketball camps…Also donated time through church and Adoft-a-Family program…Daughter of Victor Alvarez and Diana Mills…Management information systems and criminology major…Birthdate: 1/26/1994.
Jessee on Alvarez: "Angela could have an immediate impact. She is an incredible jumper as rebounding is a major part of her game. She is a little undersized as a post player but makes up for it with her jumping ability. She is a highly recruited player from the Miami area who had several Division I offers. We expect her to make an immediate impact."

Juliana Cavallaro - Guard - 5'9" - Freshman - Venice, Fla. - Sarasota High School
High School: Attended Sarasota High School where she played for coach Rob Jutras…In four years, averaged 19.6 points, 3.6 assists, 4.7 steals and 4.5 rebounds per game…Concluded high school career with 1,965 career points…Twice scored 40 points in a game…Tallied 39 points in district championship game…Set school records for points in a game (40), single-season points (536) and free throws in a game (25)…Chosen to play in FACA North/South Florida all-star game and Manatee/Sarasota PAL all-star game…2012 FACA all-state team…2012 Sarasota Herald Tribune Player of the Year…Three-time Sarasota Herald Tribune first-team all-area…Two-time Manatee/Sarasota PAL all-star game MVP…Was named offensive player of the year at both Venice and Sarasota High School…Sarasota High School Scholar Athlete Award with a 4.7 GPA…Two-time ABC Channel 7 Athlete of the Week…Venice Gondolier News Player of the Week…Also played for Gulf Coast Eagles and coach Tom Kane.
Personal: Member of the National Honor Society…Volunteered with Venice YMCA youth basketball program and 3-point hoops clinic with club team…Daughter of Stephen and Judy Cavallaro…Birthdate: 9/6/1993.
Jessee on Cavallaro: "Juliana was an early signee for us who had several big-time offers and we are extremely lucky to have her coming into the program. We have had our eye on her for the last 5-6 years. She has that wow factor in her game. We expect her to have a chance to be one of the next great guards at Tampa."

Samantha Curley - Forward - 6'0" - Freshman - Milton, Mass. - Milton High School
High School: Graduate of Milton High School where she played for coach Bill Donovan…Averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds…Named to the Bay State League all-star team…Served as the team captain…Played club basketball for Bay State Magic and coach Steve Windwer…Helped team to five state AAU championships…Also played in Division 2 Nationals…Also played volleyball for three years and was named to the Bay State all-star team…Was team captain.
Personal: Member of National Honor Society…Was the President of the Spanish Club…Received the io-Engineering Symposium Scholarship…Volunteered at the women and children's shelter…Helped run birthday parties for children…Has also volunteered as peer leader for a camp…Serves as a mentor for female students with special needs…Has logged over 150 community service hours…Daughter of Ted and Robin Curley…Is a triplet as she has two brothers…Psychology major…Birthdate: 7/1/1993.
Jessee on Curley: "Samantha will give us some depth and size at the post position. "As she develops her college game, she could become a very good role player for us."

Kai Jones - Guard - 5'8" - Freshman - Tampa, Fla. - Tampa Catholic High School
High School: Graduated from Tampa Catholic High School, where she played for coach Nancy Kroll…Averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and three blocks per game…Scored 1,300 career points while grabbing 1,100 rebounds in high school career…Selected to play in FACA State all-star game and Hillsborough vs. Pinellas all-star game…Played for two-time state champion in 2010 and 2011…Named to 2011 all-state tournament team…Was first-team all-state and first-team all-Hillsborough County in 2012…Played club basketball for Tampa Phoenix and coach Tommy Jones…Also competed in track and field, where she set shot put record…Was 2012 district shot put champion.
Personal: Served meals at the Salvation Army during holidays…Daughter of Tommy and Kimberly Jones…Father is an assistant coach at UT…Nursing/African-American studies major…Birthdate: 7/4/1994.
Jessee on Jones: "Kai is a local product that we are excited about having. She has a great basketball IQ and is a tangible kid who does little things well and is a proven champion. She is a great athlete and hard-nosed defensive player we are excited about."

KeAla Jones - Guard - 5'9" - Junior - Kansas City, Mo. - Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley
As a Sophomore (MCCPV): Attended Metropolitan Community College -Penn Valley, averaging 16.6 points per game with an individual high of 39 points versus LaGrange…Also averaged 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game…Ended season with a 47 percent field goal and 70 percent free-throw percentage…Received the MCCPV Most Outstanding Female Student Athlete Award.
As a Freshman (MCCPV): Began collegiate career at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley…Played in 15 games, averaging 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game…Also registered 34 steals and six blocked shots.
High School: Graduated from Notre Dame de Sion High School, where she played for coach Molley Gorden…Named second-team all-region as a freshman in the Region 16 Conference…Was first-team all-region as a sophomore…Was also named the top player in the Region 16 Conference…Recognized as MVP and best all-around player by coaching staff…Also played for KC Shock and coach Mike McNamara.
Personal: Has volunteered over 100 hours during summers and weekends with Operation Breakthrough, which is a non-profit organization in Kansas City that offers daycare for underprivileged children…Also performed 30 hours of daycare services for a transitional housing unit in inner-Kansas City…Full name is KeAla Marie Jones…Daughter of Kenneth Perkins and Paula Jones…Athletic training major…Birthdate: 7/20/1992.
Jessee on Jones: "KeAla is a junior college transfer who is a slasher and gives us much needed experience at the guard position. She could push to start and comes from a fundamental junior college program. She will contend for playing time right away."

Melissa Levy - Forward - 5'10" - Freshman - Newtown Square, Pa. - Marple Newtown High School
High School: Graduate of Marple Newtown High School where she played for coach Mike Colgan…Averaged 14.2 points per game…Named to the all-Delco all-star team…Chosen as the MVP of the 2011 Christmas Tournament…Also part of the 2010 all-tournament team, all-Delco honorable mention, all-Central honorable mention on two occasions and second-team all-Delco…Previously attended Archbishop Carroll High School, where she was a member of a state championship team in 2009…Team also captured 2009 district championship, 2010 Catholic League championship and district title.
Personal: Honored as Acme's Athlete of the Month…Member of the Honor Roll…Recipient of the Positive People Award…Organized a family toy and clothing drive for a homeless shelter that now takes place every year…Daughter of Mike Levy…Business major…Birthdate: 1/23/1994.
Jessee on Levy: "Melissa is a little bit of an undersized post but has a good basketball IQ. She understands what it takes to win and we expect her to be a contributor here as she develops her game."

Catherine Matthews - Guard - 6'1" - Sophomore - Barrington, R.I. - Robert Morris University
As a Freshman (RMU): Attended Robert Morris University where she made an immediate impact in her first collegiate season…Played in 24 games, starting 17…Averaged 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds…Also finished season with 14 assists, four blocked shots and seven steals…Finished the season with a 39 percent clip from 3-point range…Made first collegiate start against Central Connecticut (1/7)…Scored a season-high 14 points against Miami of Ohio (1/2)…Started final 14 games of season.
High School: Attended Barrington High School where she played for Steve Lenz...Averaged 15.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game…Was named to the Providence Journal All-State Team as a junior in 2009-10 after earning all-state honorable mention accolades as a sophomore...She was also an All-Class Division I selection last season...Helped Barrington to a Division II state championship as a freshman...Was named to the Rhode Island High School Girl's Basketball Coaches Association All-Division II East Team…Eclipsed the 1,000 point plateau…Named the Credit Union State Championships Player of the Game in 2009…Was also named to the Coaches Association all-tournament team and a nominee for McDonald's All-American honors…Also played for the RI Breakers under coach Bill Coughlin.
Personal: Member of the High Honor Roll…Volunteered for CVS Golf Charity Classic…Served as a "Peer Buddy" at Barrington High School…Also donated time as YMCA basketball camp coach, Adopt-a-Kid Christmas gift drive, St. Luke's Parish Picnic and Bristol Soup Kitchen as a server…Chosen to speak at a middle school as basketball representative…Was a basketball community camp coach at Robert Morris…Daughter of William and Patricia Matthews…General studies major…Birthdate: 12/16/1992.
Jessee on Matthews: "Catherine is a really good transfer who can play three or four different positions. She is a big guard who can really shoot the 3-ball. She brings a great basketball IQ and experience after playing at the Division I level. We expect her to be major contributor right away at the guard or forward position. She is the type of player who can create a matchup problem for other teams."

Sadie Oyer - Forward - 6'3" - Junior - Huntsville, Ohio - Indiana State University
As a Sophomore (ISU): Attended Indiana State University where she saw time in 22 games as a sophomore, starting three times…Started ISU's first three games of the season during the Preseason WNIT against Detroit, Notre Dame and Chattanooga…Pulled down a season-high three rebounds against IUPUI (11/22)…Blocked five shots for the season…Played in ISU's final eight road games and in the team's quarterfinal matchup against Wichita State in the State Farm MVC Tournament.
As a Freshman (ISU): Played eight minutes in her debut against Furman, grabbing three rebounds and blocking one shot…Scored her first point against UT Martin, with a one-for-two effort from the free-throw line…Logged two minutes of action against Eastern Illinois...Pulled down two offensive rebounds and dished out an assist against USC-Upstate…Converted an old-fashioned three-point play against SIUE, while also grabbing one rebound and dishing out one assist…Logged four minutes on the court at Wichita State…Grabbed one rebound at home against the Bluejays…Pulled down one rebound and blocked one shot on the road against Illinois State…Went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line while also totaling one rebound, one assist and one block against SIU…Picked off one pass and hit one free-throw against Evansville…Grabbed one rebound at UNI…Pulled down one rebound in ISU's opening round win in the State Farm MVC Tournament over Southern Illinois…Played a season-high 11 minutes against Illinois State, totaling two rebounds and one steal in ISU's quarterfinal victory…Tied her career-high with three rebounds against Missouri State in the semifinals.
High School: Coached by Mike Pequignot at Indian Lakes High School, lettering for four seasons…Named to the all-conference and all-district teams each of her four seasons at ILHS…Set school records for blocks for single game, single season and career totals…Averaged 14 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks as a senior…Earned the team's player of the year award as a senior as well…Also lettered in volleyball for four seasons, setting school records for kills and blocks while being named player of the year twice.
Personal: Born Sadie Mae Oyer…Daughter of Rick and Lisa Oyer…Has one sister, Mikaela, and one brother, Max…Nursing major: Birthdate: 9/8/1991.
Jessee on Oyer: "Sadie fills a weakness for us in regards to experience and the graduation of Jaleesa Harmon. She is a great back-to-the-basket player and a big physical player who rebounds really well. She is expected to contribute right away."

Tarah Tipton - Forward - 6'1" - Freshman - Lancaster, S.C. - Lancaster High School
High School: Attended Lancaster High School, where she played for coach Ronnie Robinson…Averaged 9.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.6 blocked shots as a senior…Five-year varsity letterwinner…Recipient of 2010 and 2012 defensive award and 2011 coaches award…Named to the Aaron's/Lady Falcon Holiday Shootout all-tournament team in 2011…Earned the 2012 Miss Bruin award…Played for Lady Gems club team, which was coached by Tracy Taylor…Also played soccer, where she was a three-year varsity goalie…Was a three-year setter on the volleyball team.
Personal: Volunteered with Civinettes, a school club that does community service work throughout the year…Full name is Tarah Natasha Tipton…Daughter of Chris and Talenna Tipton…Both parents played basketball at Western Carolina University…Psychology/business management major…Birthdate: 9/6/1993.
Jessee on Tipton: "Tarah is a good sized post player who can develop into a really good post player for us. We won't have to count on her right away, which will give her a chance to develop instead of being thrown into the wolves right away."

Shamika Williams - Guard - 5'7" - Junior - Baltimore, Md. - Sauk Valley Community College
As a Sophomore (SVCC): Attended Sauk Valley Community College where she left as the program's all-time leading scorer…Named NJCAA Division I honorable mention All-American...Finished fifth in the nation overall among other NJCAA players at 13.2 rebounds per game…Also set a school record while attempting 22 free throws in a game, which occurred in the regionals…First-team all-conference…Also named to the all-region team…Played in 27 games, averaging 18.7 points, 13.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game…Connected on 45 shots from 3-point range…Shot 73 percent from the free-throw line…Also registered 44 steals and 30 blocked shots.
As a Freshman (SVCC): First-team all-conference selection at Sauk Valley Community College…Member of the all-region team…Saw action in 20 games, averaging 22.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game…Also had 36 steals and 12 blocked shots while making 33 long-range shots.
High School: Graduate of Catonsville High School where she played for coach Mike Mohler…Was a four-time MVP, four-time MPSAA all-conference, four-time all-division, two-time all-Metro and two-time MPSAA Player of the Year…Chosen to play in two McDonald's Roundball Classic all-star games…Also played for Baltimore Cougars and coach John Luckey.
Personal: Volunteered at Charlestown Retirement Home with wheelchair basketball…Also worked with children who have Downs Syndrome…Donated time coaching youth basketball…Daughter of Eric and Tamika Daniels…Her aunt, LaFawn Williams, played basketball at Bowie State University…Psychology major…Birthdate: 5/11/1991.
Jessee on Williams: "Shamika is a point guard who we expect her to be the lead guard for us. She has a big-time skill set and can shoot and drive. She is a physical guard who can also pass very well. She owns a great basketball IQ and can really help solidify us at guard position. She is expected to push right away and become major contributor."