When Bryce Williams was a little boy, he had an athletic dream.

 

“I wanted to be a professional baseball player when I grew up,” said the 2016 Bridgeport High School graduate who today proved that dreams can change.

The Indians’ line 1 tennis player who claimed regional and Big Ten victories in singles and doubles play - and was named All-State following this year’s state tournament – signed a letter of intent to continue his tennis career at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

BHS Coach Dan Oliveto said Williams’ serve, net play and consistent ground strokes – as well as his work ethic – should combine for success on the collegiate level.

 

“Bryce started playing for me in 2013 and he jumped from the No. 3 position to be my No. 1, so he knows about difference in skill level. Now he’s jumping from high school to college and that will also be a big difference in competition and skill level,” Oliveto said. “But the good thing with Bryce is that he always puts in the extra time. He would get done practicing with us and then go play somewhere else, so that conversion should be easy for him. To adapt, he’ll just have to manage his time.”

 

Williams said he originally had his eye on playing at Fairmont State University, where he has friends on the team. But once he visited Wesleyan, he changed his mind rather quickly.

 

“Wesleyan’s academic program is pretty strong and Coach (Marc) Walters made me feel at home there,” he said. “He took time out of his busy schedule and made me feel like part of the team. That’s a big factor why I ended up there,” he said.

 

His high school tennis career had many highlights.

 

“My freshman year, when I was playing No. 3, I made it to the state finals and I wasn’t expecting to do that,” he said. “That was a great experience and it got me used to the state tournament.”

 

That year, he was regional champ in singles and state runner-up.

 

As a sophomore, he moved up to the No. 1 seed and, as he did the year before, was voted BHS most outstanding player by his teammates and coaches. He received BB&T Athlete of the Week honors and was ultimately chosen as BB&T Boys’ Tennis Athlete of the Year.

 

As a junior, Williams claimed victories in No. 1 singles and doubles in both regional and Big Ten action and repeated those honors this year with doubles partner Brady Hillegas. The duo advanced to the state semifinals, but were defeated by No. 1 seed Charleston Catholic. Williams did, however, bring home first-team All-State honors. (He's pictured with Taylor Abraham, who also made first team All-State.)

 

He was voted BHS most outstanding tennis player during his junior and senior years also and since his sophomore year, has served as team captain.

 

Williams also played some USTA tennis, claiming singles victories in Boys 18, Fitzwater Falcon Open, Lincoln Open and Ridgeview Racquet Club Clay Court & Open. He claimed doubles victories at Ridgeview Racquet Club Clay Court Open and Petersburg Open.

 

With a very busy tennis schedule, Williams also found time to become involved in BHS clubs and thrive academically. With a 3.8 grade point average, he is in the National Honor Society. He has also been involved in Key Club and Student Council. He and Hillegas also co-founded the BHS Ping Pong Club.  

 

Williams started becoming serious about tennis when he was an eighth grader at Bridgeport Middle School. It was his older brother Austyn who introduced him to the sport.

 

“I had played baseball my whole life when I was little and I loved it,” he said. “One year, my brother got cut from the baseball team and he started playing tennis with his friends. I would mess around and hit balls with him and as it turned out, I wasn’t that bad at it. So during my eighth grade year, I started working with it and I’m glad I did.”

 

At Wesleyan, Williams will major in biochemistry and eventually pursue medical school.

 

“That’s the plan right now,” he said.  

 

Williams said he has many people to thank for the opportunity that lies before him. Included are Oliveto and Assistant Coach Joe Estanich, as well as former BHS Coach Bob Batman. He also expressed appreciation to Hillegas for being such a great partner.

 

“I also want to thank my parents for making everything happen and my teammates for working hard with me at practice and making sure I got better,” Williams said.

 

The two individuals who have been most instrumental in getting Williams to this point are Mike Tompkins, owner and director of Ridgeview, and his brother Austyn. 

 

“Mike has gone above and beyond and has helped me and shown me things right down to the smallest detail that makes such a difference when it comes to tennis.  I could never thank him enough for his instruction, advice and all he has done. He is truly dedicated and passionate,” Williams said. “Austyn has always encouraged me and is persistent with getting me out there practicing and playing. He doesn’t let up and has always been there for me on and off the courts.”

 

Most of all, Williams said he thanks God for placing all of the above-mentioned in his life.

 

In addition to Oliveto, Estanich, his parents Linda and Jack Williams and brother Austyn, Williams was joined today in the BHS library by some members of the BHS tennis teams. 

 

“Bryce is a good kid and I’m happy for him,” Oliveto said. “This will be a challenge for him and I think he’ll be able to meet that challenge.”