GUYTON — A goal that used to be on Emma Williams’ distant horizon is finally in her grasp.
A standout volleyball player at South Effingham, Williams has inked a letter of intent to attend Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. The signing ceremony was conducted Feb. 27 in her school’s media center.
“I guess it was about three or three years ago that I started thinking (a college volleyball career) might be possible. I guess it was my freshman year,” Williams said.
Club Savannah coach Matt Linebarger told her she would land a scholarship if she stayed the course. She has played for Club Savannah since she was in the seventh grade.
“He told me to stick with it for a few years and everything would work out,” she said. “I said, ‘OK. I will trust you on it,’ then the next thing I know I was being recruited by Oglethorpe and a bunch of other schools.
“It’s really amazing for it to come true.”
South Effingham coach Chancey Garrett isn’t surprised. She said, “... (Emma) has probably received about every award there is to give — best offensive player, all-region first-team honors, most valuable player. Emma is not only a beast on the court, but also in the classroom. She’s balanced the rigors of playing a varsity sport all four years of high school as well as keeping an honorable GPA.
“That’s a pretty high accomplishment.”
Oglethorpe is an NCAA Division III team on the rise, Williams said. The Stormy Petrels have endured rough seasons recently. They finished 4-21 last year.
“I know the mentality of the program and the expectations have turned around completely,” she said. “I am expecting it to be very, very competitive.”
Williams, a 5-foot-9 center, is used to winning. South Effingham, with her as captain, advanced to the second round of the Class AAAAA playoffs last fall.
“I feel like, even if I’m not going to be part of a winning team, after I graduate I can know that I helped set up what the program will become,” she said.
Williams hopes to play for the Stormy Petrels right away.
“I know they’ve lost a few players at the position I play,” she said. “I guess I’ll find out when I got into spring training.”
Williams plans to study veterinary science.