Prairie legend Emma Smith, back when she was smashing volleyballs as a high school player. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The former Wolf (fourth from right, back row), now plays for the University of Washington’s club volleyball program. (Photo courtesy Smith)
She’s still a prairie legend, just in a different uniform.
Emma Smith, who used to tear up the volleyball court at Coupeville High School, has returned to the sport, but at a higher level.
The former All-Conference spiker, who partnered with fellow captain Ashley Menges to lead the Wolves to the state tourney, is now playing club volleyball for the University of Washington.
Making a run at being selected for the program was a bit daunting, but Smith, one of three members of her family to be inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, stepped up to the challenge.
“Trying out was pretty overwhelming,” she said. “There were over 150 girls that showed up for two travel teams and it was so exciting but nerve wracking at the same time.
“I hadn’t played in twoish years, so I was rusty, and there were so many really good players,” Smith added.
She made the cut, however, reclaiming her role as a middle blocker and once again running wild on the court.
Instead of making high school rivals like South Whidbey weep salty tears — as Smith did back when she helped crush the Falcons on her 18th birthday — she’s now facing off with foes like Boise State, Montana State, Gonzaga, Oregon, and Washington State.
The Huskies club program plays in the Pacific Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, and it has a creative schedule which is still unfolding for Smith and Co.
“Our schedule is all over the place because it’s pretty much a student run organization, but we play about one tournament a month in different locations,” she said.
Smith and her new teammates played a tourney in December at Gonzaga, where the Huskies claimed 2nd and 3rd place.
After a break, the U-Dub returns to action with two events in February, with one of those set to go down at Oregon State.
During her Coupeville High School days, Smith advanced to state in two sports, earning the trip in both volleyball and track and field.
During her senior track season in 2019, she went on a three-week tear, winning league, district, and bi-district titles in the shot put.
Once at state, Smith competed in both the shot put and discus.
Meanwhile, the Wolf volleyball team which went to the big dance her junior season marked the first time Coupeville spikers reached the promised land in 13 years.
A four-year varsity player in volleyball, Emma upheld a strong family tradition, following in the footsteps of her aunt, Joli Smith, a serene superstar from my Whidbey News-Times days.
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