Lindsey Williams, general studies junior, is not only number seven on the Grenadiers volleyball team, she has goals to become a nurse and help children in any way she can.
Williams is from Louisville Ky., where she attended Holy Cross high school.
“I started playing volleyball in kindergarten,” Williams said. “In grade school, I played every sport and volleyball is the one that just stuck.”
Although she is a junior, this is only her second year on the Grenadiers volleyball team.
“I took last year off from volleyball,” she said. “I just had too much going on.”
Williams originally played right side, and now plays middle as well.
“It is different then what I am used to, but I like it,” Williams said.
Carrie Lilly, head coach of the IUS volleyball team, said it is great to have Lindsey back on the team this year.
“Without another true middle on our team this year, Lindsey has stepped up to the challenge and is doing a very nice job,” Lilly said. “Lindsey is a very talented and smart player. It’s fun to watch her play.”
Outside of school, practice, and playing the game she loves, Williams works as a medical assistant at Louisville Area Pediatrics where she takes patients back and checks their vitals.
“I do lab work and I also give shots,” Williams said.
Williams said her future goals are not on the athletic side. She plans to go to nursing school after she graduates from IU Southeast. “U of L has a bridge program,” Williams said. “I will be able to get my bachelor’s in 14 months.”
She hopes to work at Kosair Children’s Hospital when it is all said and done.
“The whole aspect of working with kids is great,” Williams said. “Knowing that I’m making them feel better or I am making their day better makes me feel I am doing something worth while.”
Williams said her future plans may include coaching.
“I would also like to coach volleyball someday,” Williams said. “It would be fun. I would like to help people become better athletes and help them improve on their game.”
Others think Williams would be good at coaching volleyball as well.
“If Lindsey chooses to coach once she is done playing she would be just as successful,” Lilly said. “As I said, she is a smart, talented girl who can do anything she sets her mind to.”
One of the reasons Williams came to IU Southeast was because of the small classes and campus.
“I chose IUS because of the volleyball program of course,” Williams said. “It is also close to home.”
Williams said she wants to have a better understanding of herself and what she needs to do to help other people.
“I would hope that this degree would get me further in life then where I would be without a degree,” Williams said.
Williams said she loves that volleyball is a team sport.
“It keeps me active,” she said. “You get to meet different people and build great friendships.”
The girls on the team are close friends outside of volleyball as well.
“She is such a great person and athlete,” Ashley Murphy, sophomore outside hitter, said. “Lindsey stands behind the team no matter what. We share blonde moments sometimes which gives everyone a good laugh. Lindsey is a good person all around and I love her.”
The Grenadiers volleyball team struggled in the beginning of the season, but has won four of their past seven matches.
“What I expect out of the season is first off, for us all to have fun,” Williams said. “We also need to pick up the intensity level and actually play with the other team until the end, rather than almost giving up. It’s like we cannot push through to the end.”
Williams said when the team goes to their away games, the bus rides are awesome.
“It is great being on the team with Lindsey,” Katie Tinsley, senior setter, said. “She is a huge part of our team, and she adds a lot of character it. You can always look to her to bring the team up, or make a big play and get everyone excited.”
“I played with her in high school,” Tinsley said. “She has the same fun personality she had then. Now, she’s a much better player.”
By KRISTINA BLEUEL
Staff Writer
kcbleuel@ius.edu