Ever since joining the soccer team in the sixth grade, Adams County Christian School’s Emily Williams has worked to improve her abilities.

On Wednesday morning, her dedication to her craft paid off.

Surrounded by a gathering of friends and family, Williams signed her National Letter of Intent in the ACCS library to further her education and soccer skills at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

“It means absolutely everything,” Williams said.

When Williams first got her start, she played four years as the goalie for the Lady Rebels. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, however. ACCS coach Jim Bob Allgood said it took time for Williams to come into her own style of play.

“She’s been through the thick and thin,” he said. “There were a lot of balls flew past her into the back of the net (in the first couple years.)”

Allgood said since then, he thinks Williams has become one of the best goalies in the state, while also transitioning to a midfielder and striker the past two years.

During her final season, Williams scored 16 goals and led the Lady Rebels to a 13-4 record alongside 12 other seniors.

“Her foot skills, aggressiveness and knowledge of the game allowed me to switch her around,” Allgood said. “I had to have a leader and a captain on the field, and that’s what she did.”

Among her favorite memories, Williams said one of the best was when ACCS defeated Laurel Christian, 2-1, to clinch a spot in the playoffs this year.

“The whole football team came to the field to congratulate us,” she said. “They were going crazy. It was awesome. I absolutely could not ask for a better team, and I love them to death.”

Williams will start school this summer just a few weeks after graduation and said she plans to study athletic training.

“I’m really excited about it,” she said. “It’s been everyone being there to support me that has pushed me harder to do what I have to do.”