ORONO – When Missy Traversi enters a room, she lights it up with her infectious smile and bubbly personality.

On the basketball court, the spunky guard utilizes her enthusiasm and shooting touch to help the University of Maine “light up” its opponents.

Today, the senior co-captain looks to energize the Black Bears as they begin their quest for a second straight America East championship with a 2:30 p.m. quarterfinal against No. 8 Boston University, an 85-74 winner over No. 9 Stony Brook in Wednesday’s first-round game.

“We’ve been in this situation before. There is no pressure for us,” Traversi said. “We are No. 1 seeds, but no one expected that of us this year.”

Traversi has been a UMaine catalyst for four seasons. This winter, the versatile guard from Attleboro, Mass., has emerged as the leading scorer for coach Sharon Versyp’s club.

Traversi is averaging 13.6 points per game, shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. Her 50 3-pointers are tops on the team. She also averages 3.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

“She really worked on her 3-point range and this summer she worked on her one-on-one ability and you can tell that’s really paid off,” Versyp said.

When the Bears are playing at their best, they are rebounding and pushing the ball up the court. Traversi has a knack for beating opponents down the floor off the dribble and getting the ball into the paint.

“I need to be that transition energy, that sparkplug for us,” Traversi said. “That’s a role I’ve really embraced over the years is to bring that energy every time I step on the floor whether it’s defensive stop or offensive attack.”

Versyp said the other players seem to feed off Traversi.

“The reason that I recruited her is heart, her passion and her fire,” Versyp said. “That type of energy is contagious.”

Traversi developed her competitive drive as the daughter of Mark and Susan Traversi, who allowed Missy to choose her activities as a child. Traversi stayed busy, playing basketball, soccer, softball and tennis and also competing on the swim team.

“Even now I can’t sit still,” Traversi said. “I think it formed me into who I am, the diversity of meeting different people and playing different sports.”

In eighth grade, Traversi began to play AAU ball. Her development was accelerated when a former childhood friend of her father wound up coaching her AAU team.

Chris Basile, the former Boston University women’s coach and UMaine nemesis, took Traversi under her wing. Her coaching and guidance through the recruiting process helped Traversi make an informed choice.

“She taught me things that I know a Division I college coach at that level was looking for,” Traversi said. “All the things I was curious about, she was there to clear things up for me.”

Traversi actually had decided to attend Division II Bentley College on a scholarship. Then UMaine came knocking at her door.

“They had a way of selling themselves and the school that in ways that I didn’t see other people,” Traversi said of Versyp and the UMaine staff. “They definitely put a passion into what they did. They really, truly cared about the people they brought into the program.”

While she felt guilty about turning down Bentley and coach Barbara Stevens, with whom she had formed a bond, Traversi’s dream had always been to play Division I ball.

“Back home, I was always a little runt,” Traversi said. “People told me, ‘you’re not gonna play Division I.’ That’s what really lit that fire in me.”

Traversi credits the love and support of her parents with helping her make it happen.

“I have my dad’s intensity and fire and I have my mom’s compassion, personality and dedication,” Traversi said. “They have been such great influences and role models in my life.”

Once in Orono, Traversi and classmate Kim Corbitt were immediately thrown into the mix at point guard. She experienced some struggles and eventually was moved to the shooting guard spot, where she plays most of the time.

Traversi found out playing for a demanding coach and adjusting to life as a Division I student-athlete was difficult.

“Not only transitioning into basketball but into the academic world and college itself,” Traversi said. “On top of that you’ve got a full-time job now [basketball] with Sharon Versyp as your boss.”

She started as a freshman, then provided a spark coming off the bench the next two seasons, giving UMaine a consistent 3-point presence.

Now, her play is a key to the Bears’ success.

“She is a go-to player for us,” Versyp said. “She’s really shined when it has come down to big games. She really has turned into a complete player.”

Traversi, who has suffered with shin splints for four years, has been a dynamic leader for the Bears.

“She’s got great communication skills and because of her positiveness and her energy, she’s always had that instinct,” Versyp said.

So what keeps Traversi smiling?

“I have been blessed to be able to have this talent. God’s placed me here for a reason,” Traversi said. “The one thing I’ve learned in these four years is to really accept that and just cherish every moment because it’s almost all over for me.”