There isn’t a middle in the state of Iowa with more upside than Smith. An explosive athlete with quick-twitch traits, the Cedar Falls freshman is just beginning to tap into her considerable potential as a prospect. That’s exciting news for programs on the next level. When I saw her play in person during the high school season, it looked like she’d taken a step forward since watching her the last club campaign. More progress had been made when catching her at the USAV Iowa Regional in late March, when she played an integral part in a second-place finish and earning a nationals bid. Smith can get up in the air, hang and drop the hammer. She generates power and hits with precision. Those traits along with quickness, agility and court sense make her an effective blocker. Smith ranked second among Tigers with 251 kills (.317) and led the way with 71.0 blocks last fall. She’s on a pretty special trajectory.

There isn’t a middle in the state of Iowa with more upside than Smith. An explosive athlete with quick-twitch traits, the Cedar Falls freshman is just beginning to tap into her considerable potential as a prospect. That’s exciting news for programs on the next level. When I saw her play in person during the high school season, it looked like she’d taken a step forward since watching her the last club campaign. More progress had been made when catching her at the USAV Iowa Regional in late March, when she played an integral part in a second-place finish and earning a nationals bid. Smith can get up in the air, hang and drop the hammer. She generates power and hits with precision. Those traits along with quickness, agility and court sense make her an effective blocker. Smith ranked second among Tigers with 251 kills (.317) and led the way with 71.0 blocks last fall. She’s on a pretty special trajectory.