Lewis University Women's Volleyball

Smiths 10th as the women's volleyball head coach at Lewis University. She is the fourth head coach in the 42-year history of the Lewis women's volleyball program.   The Flyers have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 10 consecutive seasons. It is the longest streak for any volleyball team in the Midwest Region. It is also the longest streak of consecutive NCAA berths for any Lewis program in department history.   Smith has compiled a 250-63 record in her time at Lewis. Her .799 win percentage ranks ninth among active NCAA Division II volleyball coaches and 22nd among active coaches at all three NCAA levels. She guided Lewis to Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2015. Her Flyers won regular season titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. She was named the GLVC Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010. During Smiths tenure Lewis has set school records for consecutive victories (27) and consecutive home victories (41). The 41-home match win streak is 14th longest in NCAA Division II history.   Smiths Flyers have earned 32 All-GLVC, 19 American Volleyball Association All-Region and 11 AVCA All-America honors.   Setter Rachel Ruedi, outside hitter Stephanie Sagat and outside hitter Kim Vertin highlight the list of talented players to have played under Smith. Vertin earned GLVC Player of the Year honors in 2013 as well as taking home AVCA All-American Second Team accolades. Her 2013 campaign was highlighted by seven 20-kill matches. In 2010 setter Rachel Ruedi took home GLVC Player of the Year, GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and AVCA All-American Second Team accolades. She graduated third in career assists at Lewis with 4,578.   In 2009 Sagat became Lewis career kills leader with 1,676. She was named to the AVCA All-American Second Team along with earning GLVC Player of the Year and Daktronics Region Player of the Year. Sagat helped the Flyers finish the 2009 season No. 9 in nation, Lewis' highest ranking in the history of the Division II AVCA Poll. Lewis did so thanks to a run to the NCAA Sweet 16.     Sagat isnt the only Flyer to break records under Smith. Amy Choi broke the all-time digs record in 2013 with 2,108. Alexis Davito set a new rally scoring era mark for aces with 168 from 2011-15. Leigh Barea became the rally scoring era leader in assists by recording 4,658 from 2011-14.   Lewis has also broken several team records under Smith. Her 2007 Flyers recorded the highest winning percentage (.889, 32-4) in school history on their way to a GLVC Championship and NCAA Sweet 16 finish. The squad also set team records for sweeps (22), kills (2,141) and assists (1,923). The 2012 team owns the school record for single-season digs (2,705). Prior to arriving at Lewis, Smith served as assistant women's volleyball coach at the University of Central Missouri for five seasons. At Central Missouri, Smith worked under head coach Peggy Martin, the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history. The Jennies finished in the top 10 nationally and had nine All-America selections during Smith's time as an assistant. Smith is a member of the AVCA and represents the GLVC on the AVCA Head Coaches Committee. Smith played college volleyball at the University of North Carolina-Asheville under head coach Julie Torbett. In 2010 she was inducted into UNC Asheville's Athletics Hall of Fame. An Academic All-America selection her senior season, Smith was a four-time all-conference and two-time all-region pick. She also was a Big South Conference Scholar Athlete. Smith finished her collegiate career as the university's, conference's and region's all-time assist record holder. Her 1,852 assists in 1996 ranks ninth all-time in NCAA Division I history for the side out era (1981-2000). Smith plays professional beach volleyball and is the Great Lakes Region Beach Volleyball Coordinator for USA Volleyball. A native of Mishawaka, Ind., Smith is a graduate of Mishawaka High School. She received her bachelor's degree in management/marketing from UNC Asheville in 1998 and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from UCM. Smith is married to Lewis head men's volleyball coach Dan Friend.