Killing it – Lady Flames setter earns Big South honors

• Freshman volleyball player Amaya Williams receives notice for hard work on the court by winning Big South Freshman of the Week award twice.
• Williams hopes to improve her volleyball skills while earning good grades as a sports management major.

 

Freshman setter Amaya Williams has been selected as the Big South Freshman of the Week for the second time this year after recording another 50-assist match.

The Lady Flames freshman standout ranks first among all Big South freshmen in assists per set.

Williams was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and spent her childhood playing sports. Her brother, who used to help her and coach her, is her biggest fan, Williams said. They were very close and he helped her learn and adjust to all of the different sports she was involved in.

“My life was always really involved with sports all of the time, so I was either at my brother’s games or at my own games,” Williams said. “I was a cheerleader, then I was a ballerina, then a basketball player and then I played volleyball.”

Williams’ start in volleyball was in the seventh grade when she attended a volleyball camp.

“I didn’t even want to do it. But some lady was like, ‘Come to this camp,’” Williams said. “And she forced me, she didn’t even ask, she just made me come.”

Her experience at volleyball camp led her to play through high school and then at the collegiate level. She helped her high school team reach two state championships, and she hopes to help the Lady Flames do the same.

When she was going through her recruiting process, Williams had not chosen which college she wanted to go to. However, once she visited Liberty University, she was sold.

“The people here didn’t know me, but they were super welcoming and nice,” Williams said. “Then, on top of everything, the facilities were great.”

Though difficult at first, Williams said her transition from high school to college has been getting easier.

“It’s always challenging for a freshman, but at this level, you can’t prepare for the speed and physicality of playing,” women’s volleyball head coach Shane Pinder said. “The challenge for a freshman is catching her up to speed. She’s competing against juniors and seniors who have three to four years of experience. It’s a faster paced game, and so far she’s managed it well.”

Williams does not only enjoy playing sports, though. She also enjoys teaching sports and helping other athletes. Her chosen major is sports management, which she hopes to use to become an academic advisor for athletes.

“I like sports and teaching kids and that sports is bigger than just your talent,” Williams said.  “You can teach people to manage things and how to go through life through sports.”

She hopes to excel in her classes and has goals to make the highest grades she can.

Williams also intends to do her best in volleyball, whether by building relationships with her teammates off the court or by reaching conference finals on the court. So far, she’s been doing just that.

Her first selection as Big South Freshman of the Week was for ranking first in assists among freshmen and third in assists overall. She was chosen a second time after her second 50-assist match of the season.

“I was shocked,” Williams said. It was right before practice, and I got a Twitter notification from the Big South and thought they randomly mentioned me on Twitter. Then I saw what it was, and it was awesome.”

The honor of being chosen as Freshman of the Week was great for Williams because it validated her hard work, Pinder said.

“A lot of times you work hard day in and day out and you don’t always get a reward,” Pinder said. “It’s nice to see her rewarded that way. Hopefully it encourages her to get in the gym and work even harder because there’s no reason she can’t be the top setter in this program or even in the conference.”

Williams said her experience playing basketball and volleyball in high school encouraged her competitive drive.

According to Pinder, Williams also shows incredible poise and is consistent and solid on the court.

“She doesn’t let you know if she’s rattled or if she’s really excited,” Pinder said. “The team always knows where she’s at, so that helps her to be consistent when she plays.”

But Williams is not all business. Her favorite part of playing for Liberty is getting to spend time with her teammates. The team is always fun, Williams said.

“Everyone wants to enjoy it and pump up everything,” Williams said. “Even if it’s just a water break at practice or if it’s a huge kill in a game.”

Williams’ goals for her season and career are to become a better setter and a better communicator on the court. She also wants to become closer to the rest of the team.

Pinder said another aspect of her growth as a player and member of the Lady Flames is her leadership role.

“She’s a freshman running a team with older players, so I’d like to see her develop as a leader and learn how to work each day in a way that people will follow her,” Pinder said. “Right now, people follow her skill and talent, but over time you want them to follow the leader who comes in and works hard and leads from that platform.”

Pinder said Williams’ hard work and skill have helped the Lady Flames in their attempt to reach the Big South finals.

“I’m excited about her being in the program and having this success as a freshman,” Pinder said. “The future is bright.”