MOUNT VERNON — In the four years since Lissi Fuller left Mount Vernon, she has been a lot of places and seen a lot of different things. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, Fuller has had opportunities beyond her expectations — all thanks in part to her basketball skills.
It is those same skills that have helped the University of the Cumberlands Patriots continue their winning ways and string of consecutive NAIA Division I National Tournament appearances. As a team, the Patriots went 23-9 this season, winning the Mid-South Conference title and qualifying for the NAIA Division I National Tournament. Their season ended with a first-round loss to Vanguard College on Thursday.
“I am real pleased because we lost five seniors from last year’s team,” Fuller said. “I really didn’t know what to expect this season, but I was really motivated because it was my senior year. When you get to this point where you work so hard for so long, you really can’t help but expect the very best. We were regular season conference champs, which was good because we were picked third. We were a young, inexperienced team, but I thought we fought through that pretty well.”
In Fuller’s four-year career, the Patriots have posted a combined 90-34 record.
“The last four years have gone really fast,” said Fuller. “I’ve learned a lot, both on the court and off — even about myself and my basketball abilities. I look back and am very thankful for all of the experiences. Every Christmas we took a trip — I’ve went to New York, Hawaii, the Bahamas and to California this year — so I’ve been clear across the country. I’ve learned a lot and had a lot of fun.”
Now, Fuller’s accomplishments have been recognized outside of the Patriots’ program. Fuller was recently named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year and was a 2008 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics State Farm Coaches’ All-America Basketball Honorable Mention honoree.
“I’m really honored to receive that award, but I wouldn’t have that without my teammates,” said Fuller of being named Player of the Year. “Without my coaches, I wouldn’t have had the success. I am very thankful and very grateful.
“Coach (Melissa) Irvin — the way that she coaches and the way she gets us prepared — plays a big part. I give all the credit to her. The way this program does things is the right way, so I knew we could (have success).”
Fuller is coming off a season in which she averaged 12.0 points, 5.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. She shot 109-of-293 (37.2 percent) from the field, 52-of-156 (33.3 percent) from three-point range and 101-of-114 (88.6 percent) from the free-throw line. Fuller finished the season ranked fourth in free-throw percentage in NAIA Division I, sixth in assists per game and ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio.
“This year, because we were young and inexperienced, I felt like I needed to step my game up on the floor, and off the floor, be there for my teammates,” Fuller said. “I felt really comfortable I guess.”
Fuller reached several milestones this season including scoring her 1,000th career point. She recorded her career-high scoring in a game with 30 points on March 9 against Georgetown College. Fuller also moved into second place in career assists this season with 560.
Irvin, the University of the Cumberlands all-time leader in career assists (734 in 123 games), is the ninth leading scorer in school history with 1,356 points. Being a similar player, she has been able to pass on a wealth of knowledge to Fuller.
“Lissi is one of those players that could have a lot more points, but she is very unselfish with the ball,” said Irvin in a press release after Fuller broke both milestones. “She is a smart ball handler and is one of the best to come through our program. This is just another milestone upon a remarkable career.”
With her playing career now over, Fuller is hoping that the qualities she displayed have rubbed off on her teammates.
“Playing athletics in college, no matter what level, takes a lot of time and sacrifices,” said Fuller. “I want to pass on my dedication to my teammates. I also want them to learn from my leadership. We’ve been to the national tournament five years in a row now, and I’ve like to see that continue.”
Fuller will graduate in May with a double major in business administration and exercise and sport science. She won’t be going far, however. Fuller has been accepted into the master’s program at the University of the Cumberlands. She will be pursuing her degree in health education while performing duties as the graduate assistant women’s basketball coach.
“I want to go into coaching so this is a great opportunity,” said Fuller. “Coach Irvin is allowing me to do that. ... I don’t really see myself being away from the game, not right now at least.”