Jennifer Williams Gonzaga Prep Year: Junior Sport: Volleyball Position: Outside Hitter

Jennifer Williams had modest expectations for this volleyball season - to learn more about the sport as a backup to her highly-recruited teammate Brandy Barratt.

Williams has certainly learned the game but not as a backup for Barratt. Instead, the 6-foot-1 junior is the opposite outside hitter and playing a big role in the Bullpups’ 10-0 start in the Greater Spokane League season.

In Prep’s showdown with Ferris last week, Williams had 27 kills and nine blocks playing on a bad ankle as the Bullpups rallied to win 15-2, 13-15, 14-16, 15-10, 15-11.

There is plenty of responsibility playing opposite Barratt because when teams focus on her, the Prep offense needs another option.

“She’s done a wonderful job of assuming a role as a go-to player,” Bullpups coach Steve Gillis said. “I have tremendous confidence in her.”

A starter on the basketball team as a sophomore, Williams began to believe she could make the step from JV to varsity volleyball during summer camp, but even she is surprised at how far she has come, to the point where she’s rethinking her future.

“I’m really surprised, actually,” she said. “I was expecting to learn a lot and play under Brandy. I really didn’t have a lot of expectations. We have a great team with a lot of depth. The whole team is real strong.” , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo