Devoted to the team and passionate about the sport, senior short-stop and pitcher Co-captain Hailey Williams is a valuable member of the varsity softball team. With many years of experience, Williams avidly supports and contributes to the team both socially and athletically.
Williams started playing tee-ball when she was four years old and began playing softball when she was old enough to play on the minors softball team. She has played on multiple teams, and currently she is a part of the CT Tigers club team, which always keeps her very busy.
Softball is important to Williams as she loves going into every game with a positive mindset. “One of my favorite things about softball is the mentality of ‘next pitch, next play’; even though games get rough sometimes and you’re not playing your best I always try to remember this very valuable saying,” she said. Additionally, Williams loves the excitement of playing shortstop, with the endless energy she has to have for that position.
Supporting all of her teammates and being a leader is one of Williams’ main reasons for why she loves playing for the KO softball team. “I love hyping everyone up before a game,” she said. “I don’t just want to be a captain for the team but I want to share my love and passion for the sport with all of my teammates. I want them to love the game and have the drive to play well and win.”
Head Coach Jason Bradley truly believes that Williams’ impact on the team is both on the field and off. “Her fun, loving, positive attitude is always infectious to teammates,” he said. “Her impact on the field as one of the best defensive shortstops in the league helps the team impact games.”
According to Coach Bradley, Williams’ best quality she contributes to the team is consistently bringing positivity. “Hailey is always thinking about how she can help impact the team in a positive way, whether that be holding us a little accountable or if that is picking people up,” he said. “Hailey has been a cornerstone of our softball team the entire time she has been at KO, reliable and dependable to always give us her 110%.”
Senior first baseman and pitcher Co-captain Kyra Dunnirvine loves having Williams on the team and being able to play with her every day. “Williams is such a huge asset to the team and always brings energy to the field, and I will miss her greatly next year,” she said.
Sophomore catcher Olivia Gallup agrees with Dunnirvine and thinks that Williams has such a positive impact on the team. “As one of the team captains, Hailey pushes us to be our best selves, whether it be during a pregame speech, picking us up after a bad inning, or getting us hype both at the game and on the bus rides,” Gallup said. “She brings so much energy to our games and practices and it definitely makes a difference. She’s the life of the party!”
Next year, Williams will be headed to Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pa. to play Division II softball for the Griffins womens softball team and is beyond thrilled to continue her softball career in college. “I can’t wait to bring my energy and enthusiasm to a new team where I can make friendships that I can cherish forever,” she said. “I know playing softball in college will be more than I could have ever imagined. It will be an adjustment at first, but I know this will be the most exciting four years of my life. With all of the constant traveling and practices, I know the love I have for the game will carry me through it all.”
Williams owes lots of thanks to her family for their constant support. “I’ve had endless support from my family for years, and I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
Williams’ enthusiasm and dedication to the girls varsity softball team is always shown through her performance in practices and games. While the team will miss her greatly, we wish her the best of luck as she continues her softball career at Chestnut Hill College for the next four years!
