Hannah Smith spikes the ball at match against Christopher Newport University on Sept. 27.
Photo: McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
n the first meeting of the season with conference opponent Ferrum College, senior outside hitter Hannah Smith recorded a career and program high: 28 kills in a single game. This new program record edged out the 27 kills game high previously held by VWU Athletic Hall of Famer Kala Guy.
Smith, who has also collected two ODAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, credited her success this season to her hard work and dedication in the offseason. “I worked really hard in the offseason, over the summer, to get where I am today. I went to this personal trainer almost every day over the summer to get right, and I think that really improved my vertical and my touch, just overall, and my strength,” she said. “The support from Coach K and my teammates also really helped. Just the environment as a whole.”
Smith also noted the key to maintaining this high level of play lies in her humility as well. “I like to keep myself humbled a little bit just so I don’t get a big head or anything. I like to just play my game, and I think having confidence is key to make you a good player, but you definitely do need to stay a little humbled,” she said.
This season, the program suffered a big loss with the injury of graduate middle blocker Emma Claytor who swept the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards with Smith in early September. Recognizing this sizable loss, Smith has stepped up her game to fill her teammates shoes.
“Ever since Emma got hurt–because Emma was a big part of the team and really, offensively and defensively, had our stats up on a high–I really had to step up and pick up that position that Emma had,” she said. “I changed my mindset… I now have to be the person that they can trust to put a ball away.”
The team is currently third in ODAC Conference standings. Last year, the team went undefeated, earning the title of ODAC Regular Season Champions. Despite this dominance, the team fell to Washington & Lee in the postseason. This year, Smith looks to beat the odds with consistency.
“I think last year we did so well in the season and then like mentally and physically decreased towards the end of the season, so I think just constantly being at an increase, taking care of our bodies and our minds, that way we are all in the same mindset to where we can really just hit our peak at the end of the season.”
To ensure this consistency, Smith emphasizes team accountability.
“I definitely am a very competitive person, and I hold everyone to that same standard,” she said. “I’m very straightforward and blunt…I say what needs to be said and how it needs to be said to get us to where we need to be because I want to win, and I know everyone else wants to win.”
With confidence, humility and dedication, Smith leads the Marlins as they look to bring home the program’s second ODAC Championship– the last being in 2019.
By: Sydnee Washington
sawashington2@vwu.edu
