Taylor Williams enters her second season as a graduate assistant with the Valparaiso University softball program in 2017. Williams was a member of the coaching staff in 2016 which helped guide the Crusaders to the Horizon League Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. 

Williams came to Valpo after a successful playing career at Virginia. She was a four-year starter in the outfield for the Cavaliers, finishing her career at Virginia with 54 career stolen bases – fourth-most in program history. She was a member of the Cavaliers’ 2010 squad which made the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, and was a four-time member of the All-ACC Academic Team.

Williams also brings coaching experience with her to the Crusader softball staff. She was an assistant coach for the Hylton [Va.] H.S. varsity squad in the spring of 2015, helping to lead the team to 19 wins – matching a school record – and its conference regular season and tournament titles as she worked with the hitters and outfielders. She also served as an assistant coach, working with outfielders, for the NJ Intensity 16u team.

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia in May of 2013, completing a double major in media studies and women, gender & sexuality studies. She will be working towards a master’s degree in TESOL at Valparaiso.