There were a lot of seniors in the Central Coast Section that put up some big numbers last season, but only a select few did it on a team that was chosen for the Open Division, and even less that produced like Williams did from the plate as a batter and as a pitcher from the circle.

Because Cayla was near the top of the CCS in several hitting and pitching categories for a team that not only was 21-7 and selected for the Open Division, but also won a share of the very tough Blossom Valley Athletic League – Mt. Hamilton Division, Williams has been selected as the Prep2Prep Central Coast Section Senior of the Year.

“That’s pretty cool, and I feel good about being honored, but I put in the hard work and it was my last year of high school and I wanted to make a statement,” was Williams’ response when told she was the senior award winner.

Williams certainly did make a statement and in doing so she put Santa Teresa and San Jose public school softball on the statewide softball map.

At one point during the season when the Saints beat Mitty and Carlmont on the same day in the Charlie Miguel Tournament in mid-April, and then Presentation two days later, Williams and her teammates cracked the Cal-Hi Sports Top 20 and that is something that hasn’t happened in a long time.

Santa Teresa coach John Ambrose didn’t start Williams in the circle every game, but in 20 appearances and 16 starts she compiled a 12-2 record with two saves, a 1.62 ERA and 77 strikeouts. Williams was even more dangerous at the plate where she hit .646 on 64 hits, six home runs, 39 RBIs and 38 runs scored.

The batting average was in top five reported marks in the CCS but she was the only Open or Division I player amongst the leaders, and the hits were by far the top mark in the section. Her 39 RBIs was top 10 in the CCS as well as the 38 runs scored.

“What I can say about Cayla is that without a doubt she had a huge impact on the success of this year’s squad,” Ambrose said. “Her hitting was tops in the BVAL and her pitching was stellar. She was undeniably the best player in the BVAL and was awarded with Senior of the Year.”

What does Williams feel are her best assets?

“I think my strongest assets are not showing emotions in the circle and simplifying things,” was Williams answer. “In the circle I make sure I don’t let opponents get into my head and try to simplify things, and while I’m hitting I simplify the game and just think bat to ball and watch the spins out of the pitcher’s hand.”

Some top players are big-time rah-rah leaders and others do it differently. Which one was Williams?

“Cayla leads by example and encouraged her team with positive energy all the time,” Ambrose remarked. “She’s a complete player and a fierce competitor yet a great leader who makes her teammates better.”

And did Williams see herself as a leader?

“My senior year I was one of the team captains so I did feel like a leader,” Williams said. “I made sure the girls knew I was there for them and I wanted them to feel comfortable with me.”

“When a team is close and can trust each other, that’s when you start to play as a whole and not individuals,” Cayla continued. “Even though I was a team captain I still helped with gear and I never walked around with a chip on my shoulder. I made sure I was a team players and I played for my team not for myself.”

Speaking of teams, the next one Williams will join is West Valley College in Saratoga, but she sees herself moving on after that.

“After West Valley I do want to move on and play at a four year school,” Williams remarked. My goal has been to play D1 softball ever since I was a little girl.”

For her efforts throughout this season, we are pleased to recognize Cayla Williams as the Prep2Prep Central Coast Section Senior of the Year.

Other players considered for this award were Carlmont’s Ashley Trierweiler, Watsonville’s Juliana Wilson and Aragon’s Holly Fletcher.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of CCS softball.