Girls volleyball: Wheaton Academy's Williams has multiple college options
Schuyler Williams is not afraid of taking chances in sports.
Nor does the Wheaton Academy senior believe in doing anything without exerting maximum effort.
Those two philosophies have served Williams well throughout her athletic career. Her journey to a standout volleyball and tennis player happened out of chance encounter and seizing an opportunity.
Williams said she has scholarship offers to several schools, in both volleyball and tennis. Williams, an outside hitter/setter, is slated to be a leader for the Warriors' volleyball team in the shortened season this spring.
Williams is nearing the end of a memorable career that included starting on the varsity in her freshman season. She started receiving numerous Power Five Conference offers in her sophomore season, which led to an early committment to Howard University.
Since then, Williams reopened her recruitment due to her family moving to California. Williams said she's debating whether to play volleyball or tennis in college.
"I was still receiving offers from a lot of strong Division I programs," Williams said. "A lot of coaches are saying they don't know what's going to happen in terms of class of 2021."
When the girls volleyball season was put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic last September, Williams searched for an outlet to fuel her competitive fire. At the time, tennis was one of the few sports that the IHSA allowed participation.
"My parents were like since there's no volleyball season, we think it's a good idea to play tennis," Williams said. "If I'm going to do something, I want to go 100%. I'm really competitive, and want to be the best I can be. I was nervous before tryouts because I had never played tennis."
Williams said she's spent most of the school year doing remote classes from California, which allowed her to further career in tennis. She estimated her weekly tennis training "at 22 hours."
With the volleyball season starting next week, Williams is excited to return to Illinois. When she was very young, Williams said she stumbled upon volleyball while rebounding for her older brother at the YMCA.
Williams said she was playing softball and was a figure skater, but she decided to try volleyball when she was approached by Annika Albrecht, who later became a star volleyball player at Nebraska. The North Aurora native encouraged Williams to attend her club team practice.
"I eventually fell in love with volleyball," Williams said. "I've come a long way. It's finally my senior year. I'm so excited. I've had so many ups and downs. It's crazy what has happened now with tennis. Volleyball will always be my first love, but I'm really enjoying playing tennis. I'm not sure what I will do in college. I'm going to make my decision soon."
Wheaton Academy coach D.A. Nichols said Williams' positive personality and unselfishness is infectious.
"Schuyler is a complete player and makes everyone else better," he said. "Schuyler has done everything we've asked of her. She immediately stepped in her freshman year and was one of the best talents right away. She's definitely up there among the top athletes in program history.
"She changes the game, is a difference maker on and off the court. As a coach, you only get a handful of players in your lifetime like her."
Williams is set to play a bigger role for the Warriors this season, toggling between setter and outside hitter. She averaged 8.2 kills, 12 assists and 7 digs a match last season. Williams, the 2019 Metro Suburban Conference Red Division MVP, elected to play for the Warriors throughout her career instead of attending a traditional volleyball powerhouse.
"I love Wheaton Academy," Williams said. "I think coach Nichols has build a great program. I never thought about leaving. I love my teammates and the culture we built together. I always wanted to stick here and create a team where we will be remembered."