Tampa Bay Sun

Kids to Know: Siena Bryan and Aaliyah Pitts, Tampa Bay Sun FC

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Rising Stars: How Tampa Bay Sun Players Are Shining On and Off the Field

Siena Bryan and Aaliyah Pitts are members of the Tampa Bay Sun — the first ever USL Super League champions. Bryan, who is preparing for her senior year of high school, has already committed to Georgetown University’s soccer team. Pitts, a recent high school graduate, heads to play soccer for Georgetown this fall.

Raised in Tampa Bay, the two student athletes have proven that on-field excellence doesn’t have to come at the expense of balance, humility or growth. Here, Bryan and Pitts reflect on their journey with both wisdom beyond their years and immense gratitude for their families.

What has it meant to you to be part of the Tampa Bay Sun as a high school student?

Siena Bryan: It’s been amazing. It’s more than just soccer — we’ve grown as teammates and as people. Being surrounded by others who are pushing themselves has helped me push myself, too.

How have your parents supported you in your soccer journey?

Aaliyah Pitts: They've been everything, driving me to games, encouraging me through tough moments and reminding me why I love the game when things get hard.

What are you most excited about as you head into college soccer?

Aaliyah Pitts: I’m excited to compete at a higher level and represent my school. It’s a dream come true to continue playing and growing, both as an athlete and a student.

Do you have advice for younger athletes playing in organized, competitive sports, or for their parents?

Aaliyah Pitts: For players, just enjoy the game and don’t let pressure take over. For parents, support your kids without adding stress. Let them lead their own journey. Be an anchor because we put enough pressure on ourselves.

 

What was one of your proudest moments this past season?
Siena Bryan: Definitely the moment we qualified for the regional finals. It felt like all the early mornings and hard practices paid off, and doing it with this team made it even more special.

Kids to Know: Siena Bryan and Aaliyah Pitts, Tampa Bay Sun FC

How did you balance high school, soccer and everything else?
Aaliyah Pitts: It was tough, especially with school and training every day. I had to learn time management fast. Sometimes that meant doing homework in the car on the way to games, but it taught me discipline.

What’s one lesson from this experience that you’ll carry into college?
Siena Bryan: To believe in myself even when things get tough. There were games where things didn’t go our way, but you learn to stay focused and bounce back. That’s going to help me off the field too.

What advice would you give to yourself if you were starting this journey all over again?
Siena Bryan: I’d say don’t stress over every little mistake. It’s all part of learning. I used to overthink every play, but now I realize how important it is to move on and focus on the next moment. One practice, one game, isn’t going to make or break you. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s important to treat yourself with grace and learn from the experiences.

What impact do you hope to have as a college athlete, on and off the field?
Aaliyah Pitts: I hope to inspire younger players who might be watching, especially those who come from smaller programs. I want them to see that it’s possible if you put in the work.

How do you define success at this stage of your life?
Siena Bryan: It’s not just about winning. It’s about growing, being a good teammate and staying grounded. If I can do those things, I’ll feel like I’ve succeeded no matter what.

 

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Originally published in the July 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.