Stories Of Success: Sanaa Williams
February 13, 2023 | Volleyball, Joel Coleman
State middle blocker thankful for chance to be at Mississippi State.
(Throughout Black History Month, Mississippi State is celebrating its current Black student-athletes, coaches and administrators by telling several of their personal stories. Today, HailState.com shines the spotlight on MSU volleyball's Sanaa Williams.)
STARKVILLE – It was the summer following Sanaa Williams' ninth grade year and she had a decision to make.
For a long time, Williams had loved softball. However, over the previous three or four years, she'd come to realize she was also passionate about volleyball.
Which direction would she go?
"From 10th grade on, it was full volleyball," Williams said. "It was sad because I really loved softball, but I'm glad I changed."
The results have proven Williams' choice was a wise one. She's a rising star as a Mississippi State middle blocker who just completed her first season for the Bulldogs. She's still awaiting her first MSU action, but she knows with hard work and dedication, that's on the horizon.
"I'm really excited," Williams said. "I'm really excited for myself and seeing my growth, but also the growth of my team. I feel like we have a really good squad, so I'm excited to see how we translate that."
Williams' future is so bright because her past has shown how she's able to shine.
Success has followed Williams wherever she's gone since she first started playing volleyball in the sixth grade. She started to improve and by the time she was a high school freshman, she began playing club volleyball.
Around that time was when Williams determined her future wasn't on the softball diamond, but on the volleyball court. She was completely drawn to the game and ready to go all in.
"The pace is so much different than softball," Williams said of what went into her decision. "Plus, it was all kind of new and I really liked the fast pace and how there was something always going on. It was just exciting."
Williams' volleyball career took off. She lettered for four seasons at Hume-Fogg High School in Nashville, Tennessee – the city where Williams was born and raised.
Over her high school career, Williams helped the Blue Knights to three district championships. The only season Hume-Fogg didn't win district was in the 2020 season wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams' prep days concluded with a massive cherry on top. The Blue Knights claimed the 2021 state title. Williams was named the championship match's MVP, adding to a year where she'd already been named to the All-District team and had won District MVP honors.
To say it was all special for Williams would be a massive understatement.
"Most of those girls [on the team that won state], I'd played with since the sixth grade," Williams shared. "We'd been together for a really long time and just winning together and playing together, we were really happy about that."
From there, Williams was on to her next volleyball step. That was coming up at Mississippi State.
Williams began talking with schools and narrowing down her college decision around her sophomore and junior years of high school. MSU had stood out in the process, thanks in large part to its head coach.
"Really, it was Coach Julie [Darty Dennis]," Williams said of what made State so attractive. "She made me feel welcome from the first phone call. She was really easy to talk to and I could see myself playing for her.
"It was a pretty easy decision. I talked to Coach Julie a couple of times on the phone and decided I wanted to come for a visit. Once I came for that visit, it was like, 'I can see myself here.' That's when I committed."
Having the chance to put on the Maroon and White is something Williams is grateful for.
"It's really cool," Williams said. "It can be challenging at times, but for the most part, I just have fun. It's really cool to meet all these new people from different places. We just start building close bonds together and it's really cool to see it happen."
At such a young age, Williams' story continues to be written. So much promise awaits.
There are a couple of certainties as the journey rolls on. Williams will continue to work hard, and she'll keep on doing all she can to set an example for others and be the best teammate she can be.
"I really want to be a good role model, especially to the younger girls," Williams said. "And I just want to be a fun player. I'm very chill and kind of nonchalant. So, I just want to be that calming presence.
"I just always thank God for allowing me to be here in this position and giving me this opportunity."
