University of South Alabama Athletics

JUNIOR SEASON (2009-10):  Played in 28 of South Alabama’s 31 games…Averaged 1.8 points per game and 1.0 rebounds per contest in 8.0 minutes of action…Shot 41.5 percent from the field (22-of-53) and had nine assists and five steals…Best game of the season came on the road against Middle Tennessee (Jan. 21) where she recorded a season-high 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting versus the Blue Raiders…Had a season-best four rebounds versus Spring Hill (Nov. 19).

AT SEWARD COUNTY (KAN.) COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND MCLENNAN (TEXAS) COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Lettered one season at Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan...Saw action in 33 games as a sophomore for Seward County...In her one season with the Lady Saints, she averaged 8.3 points per outing and pulled down 5.9 boards per game, while helping Seward finish with a 28-6 record and advance to the Region VI Championship game...Was also strong on the defensive end of the floor, ranking second on the team and 44th in the NJCAA in steals with 92 and 2.788 per game...As a freshman, Simmons played at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas...In 30 games for the Highlanders, she averaged 7.6 ppg.

AT CYPRESS FALLS HS AND EISENHOWER HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered one season at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, Texas and three seasons at Eisenhower HS in Lawton, Okla...Played senior season at CFHS where she earned first team all-conference honors after being selected as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year...Averaged 15 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 4.0 spg for the Golden Eagles...Was also selected to the Texas All-Star Team as a senior...Most memorable prep career moment came during her senior season when Cypress nearly upsetting Cyfair HS, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation...As a junior at Eisenhower, she averaged 16 ppg and 6.9 rpg, while also coming up with 4.0 spg...Earned first-team all-conference honors that same season...During her prep career, lettered four years in basketball, two years in track and one year in softball.

PERSONAL: Vannessa Melody Simmons...Third oldest out of 11 siblings...Has four brothers and six sisters...Father served in the military for over 20 years...Has three aunts who have played collegiate basketball...Favorite professional sports team is the Boston Celtics...Favorite athletes are Kevin Garnett, Deanna Nolan, LeBron James and Rajon Rondo...List favorite musical artist as Lil’ Wayne and Snoop Dogg...Can speak both German and English...Majoring in Business Administration.