Badgering: Tionna Williams
August 30, 2017 | Volleyball, Andy Baggot
Junior middle blocker shares thoughts on leading, evolution of a young team and following in big footsteps
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Tionna Williams is a 6-foot-2 junior middle blocker for the Wisconsin volleyball team whose offseason was a mix of pain, healing and worldly enlightenment. A leg injury kept her from participating in spring practice, but she recovered in time to take part in an invitation-only European tour with peers from around the Big Ten Conference. Williams, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, spoke recently about being a leader, the evolution of a young team and following in some big footsteps.
The most interesting person on this team is?
"Everyone is interesting in their own way, but if I have to narrow it down I'd say Molly Haggerty."
How does her personality fit in with the chemistry of this team?
"She's quirky and she's really fun to be around. But once she steps on the court, she has that killer mentality. It's grind time and she knows what she has to do."
Go behind the scenes with #Driven! This week, it's all about passing. #Driven Season 3 | Ep. 1
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) August 29, 2017
This is a very young team with eight new faces and you're one of four upperclassmen. What's the key to leadership in this case?
"Being a leader, you always want to be on the lookout for the good of the team individually, like how they're doing on the court and away from the court as well. They look to you for help with school, volleyball, anything like that. You have to keep an open mind and really making sure you establish what our culture's about is really important."
After losing four seniors, what's the biggest change within the team from a year ago?
"A lot of new faces, so we have to work on the chemistry from the get-go. I feel like we've done a really good job of that early on."
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Remember how you felt as a freshman?
"I was pretty nervous a couple of times. I didn't want to make errors, mistakes."
How does that apply to how you're dealing with some of the younger players on this team?
"Just knowing that I was in their shoes once and I know what they're feeling and what they're going through. We've all been there, so we have a little sympathy for them, but at the same time you still have to keep pushing them. We have to work through it together."
Are the newcomers fitting in the way you hoped?
"We weren't exactly sure what to expect early on, but as soon as they stepped out on the court we saw what they were capable of, so that raised the bar and they've been exceeding so far."
Highlights from last nights sweep...yes please????
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) August 27, 2017
You had the honor of being chosen to participate in a European tour with players from around the Big Ten in June. Did the experience help you more on the court or off it?
"On the court it was a really great experience because of getting a feel for the international level was insane. It opened your eyes to the different rules; I wasn't aware of some of the rules. Off the court was a great experience as well. Seeing all the different cultures and just going out into the community because we did some of that while we were there."
The food was memorable as well, right?
"Oh, yeah. Pizza and gelato were at the top of my list there."
Most everyone focuses on the Badgers losing four-time All-America setter Lauren Carlini to graduation, but the departure of senior middle blocker Haleigh Nelson would seem to impact you a great deal. Are you ready to move out of her shadow, or were you ever in her shadow?
"I wouldn't say I was in her shadow. She definitely was a great player, a great leader for us and a great friend. She had a lot of strengths that I hope to embrace and work on as I go along. I want to make a name for myself."
The #Badgers will make six national ?? appearances in 2017! Set your DVR now!
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) August 17, 2017
What do you think Badgers fans will like more, the new scoreboard or the air conditioning?
"Probably the scoreboard. Everybody loves a new thing. It's sick. It's cool. But everyone's going to love the AC as well."
How do you get your head around the fact that nearly 5,000 season tickets were sold for this season for a place that currently seats 6,012?
"It's crazy. I still can't believe it right now. Our growing fan base is incredible and we couldn't be more grateful."
