Shannon KeoughOne of Cabrini’s finest athletes, volleyball player Lizzie Williams, is nearing the end of her last season. All of the coaches she has ever had for volleyball came hoping to see her accumulate her 2000th career assist at the match against Bryn Mawr College on Tuesday, Sept. 1. As a four-year player, Williams has recently gained her 2000th career assist against Swarthmore College on Friday, Sept. 4.
Williams started playing volleyball at the age of six. “Lizzie first started playing on an organized team (CYO) in 4th grade but before that she would play on the beach while
on vacation,” said her parents. Williams knew that she wanted to play volleyball in college but she never suspected she would be a Cavalier.
“Lizzie was not recruited for Cabrini. We contacted Cabrini after encountering some athletic scholarship issues at another school that was recruiting her,” Williams’ father, Stephen Williams, said.
“Lizzie has good leadership roles. She is very confident and communicates well with other players. Lizzie goes all out; she hustles and she falls on the court and bruises up her legs but that’s because of her passion,” assistant coach Alyssa Smith said.
Throughout Williams’ volleyball career, she has been highly recognized for her hard work. Williams was nationally ranked by NCAA in Aces Per Game, 31st her freshman year and 21st her sophomore year at Cabrini. She was named two-time Philadelphia Academic All-Area, one of seven players from the 28 institutions in the Philadelphia metro area, two-time CSAC player of the week and 2nd team all-conference in 2008, and recently she gained her 2000th assist.
“We were happy not only for Lizzie but for the entire team. Volleyball is very much a team sport; one person can’t do it by herself,” Mr. Williams said.
Williams has brought such joy and pleasure to her family while they have come out to see her and her team succeed on the court.
“There are so many over the years that it is hard to pick one or two. It is always a joy to watch her doing something that she loves so much. The intensity and passion she brings to the game are a joy to watch,” Williams’ mother, Holly Williams, said.
For the last two years the team has been trying to find a replacement for Williams. “There are going to be some giant shoes to fill,” Schaefer said. Williams is currently applying to medical school.
“On the court she is a competitive, driven force to be reckoned with; off the court she lives her life with the same level of intensity with caring, compassion and dedication to her family, friends and studies,” Williams’ parents said.
