KUTZTOWN, PA (November 4, 2010) – On any winning team, there is usually a player or two that is considered a leader. Someone who can pick a team up when it's down, and bring energy and celebrate with the best of them when it's on top. Through her many paths and unexpected turns, Lindsey Smith has played that role for the Kutztown University volleyball team this season.
Since Smith joined the team in 2008, Kutztown (19-9 overall, 9-8 PSAC East) has had increasing victories each year as it looks to win 20 matches for the first time since 2007 as it heads into its final two games of the season this weekend in the hunt for a conference championship. The Golden Bears will play on the road Friday against East Stroudsburg (7:00 p.m.), and Saturday against Lock Haven (11:00 a.m.).
A home playoff match is still up for grabs for Kutztown, as winning one of its final two matches would clinch a first round home playoff match in the PSAC quarterfinals next Tuesday night. Kutztown won its earlier matches this season against East Stroudsburg and Lock Haven. Kutztown has also lost just one home game this season, and is confident in its chances of winning if given the opportunity of hosting a playoff match.
Smith is in her third year with the Golden Bears and has seen firsthand how a team can grow both on and off the floor in order to achieve its common goal of getting better and winning matches.
“She provides our team with energy and emotion,” said Kutztown head women's volleyball coach John Gump. “When we need a lift, more often than not it's Lindsey's voice you hear trying to pick people up. She also celebrates big points better than any player we have ever had. After a key kill or block, Lindsey will jump high in the air and then smack the floor in celebration. That emotion is infectious and is very important to us.”
Her journey to the KU volleyball team has brought many challenges to Smith, who overcame a torn anterior cruciate ligament which caused her to sit out her senior season at Delone Catholic High School.
Possibly a blessing in disguise, Smith's senior season at Delone Catholic was one of both mental and physical heartache. During an inner-squad scrimmage early in the season, Smith's left knee gave out as she went down to the floor.
“I went numb,” said Smith. “When I came down, my knee popped so loud, my mom who was sitting in the stands even heard it.”
Continuing to stay positive and looking forward, Smith immediately started rehabbing her knee, as she was determined to play volleyball again for her club team's season. After five months of rehabilitation, Smith was able to play in her club's first tournament that season.
Sitting out was new to Smith, as she began her volleyball career as a teenager as she learned the game from her older sister who also played. With volleyball now becoming a vital part of her life, Smith's exceptional play began to get noticed by colleges.
“I used volleyball as a way to stay connected with my friends from school,” said Smith. “As the years went on and I continued to improve in the sport, my love for the game grew. It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I decided that volleyball was the sport I wanted to pursue to play in college.”
Smith's tenacity and hard work on the floor caught Gump's eye, as Smith's club teammate and eventual Golden Bear Katie Lutz was also in the process of getting recruited by Kutztown. After visiting the KU campus, Smith knew where she would continue her volleyball career.
“I visited the school a little while after I heard that Katie had committed to Kutztown,” said Smith. “I remember being the car with my mom, saying that being here just felt right. I had this gut feeling that Kutztown was where I was meant to go. I signed my letter of intent that day.”
Smith has become the vocal heart of Kutztown and her play on the court has not gone unnoticed by coach Gump. Smith is one of Kutztown's best ball handlers and plays a big part in receiving serves for the Golden Bears. In addition, Smith has the versatility to play multiple positions as she started at libero her freshman year.
Smith currently has 234 digs this season, second on the team behind senior Jamie Celia (438). These two defensive specialists have provided the spark for Kutztown by keeping rally's alive and continuing to give the offense chances to succeed.
“It was amazing to finally be back on the court,” said Smith, “I took the position of libero. It was a challenging transition but I loved it. Defense is just a fun position to play. I work with other players that play my same position. Jamie pushes me to work harder. We play some really good defense together.”
One of Smith's best attributes she adds to this year's KU team is her passion for the game and how she know the significance of every block, kill, and dig throughout a match. Smith carries that emotion throughout every game and even on the drive home, especially after Kutztown's 3-0 win over Lock Haven on Oct. 15.
“After the game, I got in the car with Cali Snell,” said Smith. “We looked at each other, in complete silence, and then just started screaming. I looked at her and was like, did we really just beat Lock Haven? Cali was just like “yup” and we started screaming again. That continued for about 15 minutes.”
--KU--
