Kelsey Williams is the type of player every coach wants on their team. At least they should.
And not just because of the talent she displays on the court as a member of the Lincoln women's basketball team. Her leadership, drive, passion, intellect for the game and desire to overcome adversity is what sets Williams apart from most players her age.
"Kelsey is a great leader and people follow right behind her, and that's because she's 100 percent accountable," Lincoln head coach Nicole Collier said Saturday. "Whatever she asks you to do, she does to the best of her ability."
Collier admits signing Williams, who was a four-time Missouri Basketball Coaches all-state selection at Eminence High School, was a steal. During her prep career, the 5-foot-6 guard led Eminence to its first state title in 2012 and left as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,925 points.
Williams had several offers to play at the Division I level after being named as the team's most valuable player at Moberly Area Community College her freshman year, but choose to attend Lincoln University.
"She was a huge sign for us," Collier said. "She had a lot of opportunities to go Division I."
Things didn't go quite as planned during Williams' first season with the Blue Tigers. Lincoln finished the 2013-14 campaign with a 5-21 record, and Williams was left watching from the bench after suffering a back injury.
"It was really frustrating," Williams recalled Saturday. "I can't really describe to you how frustrating it actually is to go through that, but you have to take adversity and deal with it. Mentally, I just had to stay strong. I had a really good support group."
After overcoming that injury, Williams jumped out to a strong start this season, leading the Blue Tigers with 12.8 points per game and helping Lincoln get out to a 4-1 start.
Then another setback occurred.
In the closing seconds in a game against Northeastern State on Dec. 4, Williams attempted to draw a charge. Putting herself in harm's way, given her history with back problems, wasn't even a thought for Williams.
"I'm an athlete," she said. "I'm going to step over and take the charge - regardless if I've had this issue before. It's the mentality that I have."
The play was ruled a blocking foul and Northeastern State sank a free throw with one second to play to claim a 69-68 victory against Lincoln.
But that wasn't the worst part for Williams or the Blue Tigers.
Unable to put any weight on her right leg, Williams was taken to a nearby hospital that night. She feared her playing career might be over.
"I can honestly tell you, I laid on the training table and cried," she said. "I thought it was over."
Luckily for Williams and her teammates, the injury was not one that would sideline her for an extended amount of time.
"It's been a rough week," Williams said. "It obviously brings me back to last year. But I can overcome this."
Williams did not play in Lincoln's next contest, a 93-66 loss to Central Oklahoma on Dec. 7, but she was very much a part of the game. Laying on a training table near the court, Williams continued to encourage and give advice to her teammates.
"She was in excruciating pain, but she was still in the game," Collier said. "She was laying because she couldn't sit, and just yelling from the table."
Williams played a similar role during Lincoln's 72-47 win Saturday against Illinois-Springfield. Although this time she was sitting in a chair and was able to show her excitement by jumping off the bench after a big play.
That kind of enthusiasm, which has taken place in practice, as well, hasn't gone unnoticed by her teammates.
"She brings a lot of energy," Lincoln senior Kate Frazier said. "She wants to be a coach after she graduates and it shows when she's on the bench."
Williams is expected to do a light workout Monday and hopes to return for Lincoln's home game Thursday against Washburn.
"I feel like I'm going to come back strong," she said.
Williams' teammates are anxious to have her back, too.
"The biggest thing Kelsey brings to our team is her leadership," Lincoln junior Lizzie Nessling said. "She has this ability to calm the team down. She's your ideal leader."