Maddie Williams settled into a chair at her desk in her office, popped open a can of energy drink and took a sip.
It was nearing 3 p.m. on Monday — a little less than 48 hours since perhaps the biggest moment thus far of her coaching career — and the Brandeis High School volleyball coach had already dealt with an issue involving a substitute teacher for her classes, been on a morning Zoom call, filled out paperwork and fielded phone calls.

Everyone told her this was the fun part of reaching the biggest stage of your sport. They told her to embrace it all. Williams, though, rather be putting together a scouting report and getting in the gym for practice.

“I think this is like planning a wedding reception,” Williams said. “It’s just chaotic, and then it happens, and it’s gone. I haven’t enjoyed a moment yet, because it was like one thing after the other.”

For much of her high school career, first as a player and then as a coach, Williams had been the volleyball bridesmaid and not the bride. As a sophomore at Clark, her team squandered a 14-10 advantage in the final set — one point from victory and a trip to state — and lost to Jay in the regional final. At Brandeis, her team twice (2016 and 2020) lost to Reagan with a state berth on the line.

All of the close calls were washed away nearly a week ago at Alamo Convocation Center. Brandeis swept Austin Vandegrift to win the Region IV-6A championship. The Broncos (45-2), ranked No. 4 in American Volleyball Coaches Association/USA Today Super 25 and No. 5 in MaxPreps Top 25 polls, play Bridgeland (39-11) at 5 p.m. Friday at the Culwell Center in Garland.

The Bears, who also are making their first appearance at state, are paced by sophomore libero Alice Volpe, the daughter of Rice University volleyball coach Genny (Wood) Volpe. The elder Volpe was a standout on Clark’s 1989 UIL Class 5A (now 6A) state finalist squad and a teammate of Anna (Klasing) Draker, Williams’ older sister.

Among all the cheers and tears, hugs and photos taken last Saturday, Williams felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw Kirby Jameson, her high school coach and confidant.

“I get tears thinking about that,” Williams said. “I think everybody think of her as a legend. She was a role model for us in so many ways, it wasn’t just volleyball. Kirby was strict and we had to walk a fine line, but she still loved us. That was never a question. She has always been there. It was very big for me to see her there. It was kind of surreal.”

So, too, was Williams’ journey. In 2007, she was at Klein Collins, near Houston, and had built the program from scratch. She previously had turned down overtures to return to her hometown, but this was different. With a 4-year-old son and 18-month-old twins (son and daughter), Brandeis represented a promotion and a chance to be around family.

“I honestly didn’t think I’d ever come back to San Antonio,” she said. “I was happy where I was. But three kids later, that changes.”

Drawing talent from Clark and O’Connor, Williams went about building a program. From the start, she expected success.

“She had really high expectations for us,” said Brennan coach Melissa Dahle, who was a junior on that the 2008 squad after moving over from Clark and later returned as an assistant coach at her alma mater. “I think that’s what made her program so successful so quickly. It was such a rewarding experience. We were able to build that program together. It’s cool to look back at it now, just look at what’s happening in that program and know we had a part in starting that.”

That was the sentiment far and wide.

Cassidy Acord is in graduate school in Louisville, Ky., and was seeking a Brandeis football game to watch with her younger brother over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. She noticed the volleyball team had a lot of wins. Then she turned to social media and saw the photos and posts and discovered the team she once played for was heading to the big time.

“I feel like I can almost feel the emotions on the court, just seeing the pictures and all that,” said Acord, who played from 2011-2013 and was a member of the Broncos’ first district title-winning squad in 2011. “I was proud to be a former player there. My first thought was, ‘It’s about time.’ Brandeis has worked so hard and Coach Williams has put in so much time and energy into that program, it was well-deserved.”

Out in California, Cyndey Denning works as physician assistant, specializing in internal medicine. Likewise, she also turned to social media to find out about the landmark news.

“It’s awesome,” said Denning, who played in 2011 and 2012 and had a younger sister, Madison, play on the 2016 regional finalist club. “It’s something that we always wanted to do. To see them make it this far, it’s like a really proud moment as an alum.”

And finally, Maya Smalls had a pivotal hand in the team getting over the hump. A junior outside hitter at St. Edward’s University in Austin, she scouted Austin Vandegrift for her former coach. The Broncos defeated Vandegrift in the regional final.

Smalls’ helping hand took on added significance. Her younger sister Leila is a senior outside hitter at Brandeis.

“I told (Williams) I’m going to help you out one game, and I’m glad it was this one,” Maya said. “I was writing everything down. Brandeis going to state this year, after two other years of just barely missing it, I think that what makes it even more amazing. My sister being on the team makes it even more meaningful.”

For Leila Smalls, being a part of history was special endeavor. She torn and rehabbed from three torn ACLs in her right knee, including one last season. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to endure the process again, but is glad she did.

“At first, I was like, ‘Do I want to do this nine-month recovery again?’ “Smalls said. “I’ve already done it twice. It’s a very long process, very strenuous. I think my purpose is to keep fighting and help this team. This year, going to state, it’s very crazy. We’ve finally brought Brandeis to that place.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1