JaLynn Williams Friday became the first member of the Richmond Hill girls’ lacrosse program to sign a letter of intent to play collegiately.

Williams will be attending Brenau University in the fall.

Coach Rachel Steinbrenner said there was previously a girl from Richmond Hill who went on to play in college, but Williams is the first since the school team actually started three years ago.

“When I first started I was really bad, but I practiced a lot and went to a lot of camps and clinics,” said Williams, who picked up the game just three years ago when the team formed.

“I worked hard and finally started to get the hang of it and the coaches were telling me I could play at the next level,” she added.

Brenau, located northeast of Atlanta, is a member of the NAIA’s Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Golden Tigers lacrosse team went 1-14 this spring in its first year of existence. The team returns 13 letter winners next season.

“It will be fun going there and helping build their program the way we’ve done here,” Williams said. “It won’t be as much pressure.”

Williams plays defense, but started off as an attacker.

“I think defense is more fun, actually,” she said. “Defense doesn’t get all the glory because you don’t score goals, but it’s still a big part of the game in preventing the other team from scoring. The goalie can’t do it all on their own.”

Williams said she intends to pursue a physical therapy degree.

“Brenau is a great school and they really put a lot of emphasis on academics,” she said. “That’s mainly what attracted me to them.”