Williams leads team over obstacles

Friday, September 25, 2009

People who know senior middle blocker Brittany Williams say she has an aura about her that is present when talking to her.

Williams came to Kansas after a long journey during her senior year in high school. Williams, a New Orleans native, was displaced after Hurricane Katrina. Her family left home and moved to Atlanta, where she finished up high school.

Volleyball was the one thing that stayed with her through her move.

“Volleyball was my confidence,” Williams said. “It’s the same game where ever you are.”

She was actually on her official recruiting visit to Kansas the weekend before Katrina hit. Immediately she fell in love with the campus.

“Campus really sold me,” she said. “It was late July or early August that I got here and campus was just gorgeous. I felt like it could be a home away from home.”

After Katrina, Williams was forced to overcome another challenge. During her sophomore year at Kansas, Williams tore multiple ligaments in her knee, forcing her to miss the rest of the season.

“I was actually pretty calm about it, but then we started doing rehab and stuff like that, that’s when it started to get tough.” She said “As far as getting back on the court, that was my number one thing and I reached my goal and was able to play the next season.”

She had to slowly go through the process of getting herself back on the court. She took everything in stride and made herself get better. She worked her way from walking to running, then to jumping just to get herself back on the court.

Junior Outside Hitter Jenna Kaiser had positive things to say about Williams.

“One word to describe Williams is random.” Kaiser said “She is a real burst of energy and is usually doing something silly to make people smile.”

Kaiser was also impressed with how Williams took care of her teammates.

“Brittany has taken more of a leadership role.” Kaiser said.

Coach Ray Bechard had a tough choice in deciding what one word would describe Williams.

“How do you throw energetic, enthusiastic, and athletic all into one word?” Bechard said. “I would say energetic though. She is pretty excited about life and each and every opportunity. She is a really good teammate. She is somebody I really enjoy coaching.”

— — Edited by Jonathan Hermes

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