Colorado University Athletics
Alexa Smith Joins Buffs Volleyball Team
January 11, 2016 | Volleyball
BOULDER — University of Colorado volleyball head coach Jesse Mahoney announced sophomore Alexa Smith has joined the Buffaloes volleyball team.
Smith, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Colorado Springs, Colo., played one season for the Purdue Boilermakers and will have three years of eligibility.
“We couldn't be more excited that Alexa chose to return home to Colorado,” Mahoney said. “She is a true six-rotation player that can execute all skills at a high level, but having watched her in the club ranks, what really stood out to me with Alexa is her competitive spirit. She knows what it takes to play and succeed at a high level and she will fit in well with the culture that we are building here in our program.”
“I'm so excited to be back in Colorado and to represent this state once again,” Smith said. “I am really looking forward to playing for Coach Mahoney and being part of the program at CU. I am also very grateful to be able to play close to home and to be closer to my family.”
In her one season with PU, Smith saw action in 33 matches and started in 10. Smith recorded 10 double-doubles, which included a 13 kills and 13 digs performance against No. 7 Ohio State. In a match against Northwestern, she picked up a season-best 14 digs. Smith recorded a season-high .529 hitting efficiency against Austin Peay, which included nine kills on 17 errorless swings.
Smith averaged 2.05 digs per set (227 total digs), the third most on the team. She also recorded 80 kills, 21 aces and 20 blocks. Smith received 527 serves and committed just 31 errors for a .941 reception percentage.
The Lewis Palmer High School graduate was a much decorated athlete. She was named the 2015 High School Player of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association as well as the 2014 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year. Smith was listed at No. 7 among PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces and was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection. MaxPreps named her the 2014 National Player of the Year and Smith garnered AVCA Under Armour High School All-American first team honors. After helping LPHS to its second straight state championship in 2014 (with a 29-0 mark), Smith was named to the American Family Insurance All-USA first team.
As a junior, Smith was named PrepVolleyball.com's National Junior Player of the Year, CHSAA 4A Player of the Year, first team all-state and earned MaxPreps.com All-America accolades.
Smith was a member of the USA Volleyball Junior National team in 2013 and '14. She won a gold medal in 2014 at the NORCECA Continental U20 Championships in Guatemala. In 2013, she was a member of the 2013 USAV Youth National Team that won a silver medal at the FIVB U18 World Championships in Thailand.
