Alexis Viliunas wrapped up her four-year Illinois volleyball career on Jan. 22 with the Illini’s team banquet. The next afternoon she was suiting up for an Illinois women’s basketball team in need of some depth. The setter-turned-power forward caught up with staff writer Scott Richey earlier this week to discuss her new status as a two-sport athlete, her go-to shot and who she would pick for an all-volleyball starting five on the basketball court:
So how exactly did you end up on the basketball team?
Over winter break I got a text from (Illinois volleyball coach Kevin Hambly) that was like, “Coach B wants to know if you want to play hoops.