TicketsSmith Joins UC Volleyball Staff
Former Bearcat now an assistant coach
Contact: Shawn Sell
2/9/2005
New UC assistant volleyball coach Chrissy Smith |
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Former Bearcat volleyball player Chrissy Smith has joined University of Cincinnati head coach Reed Sunahara?s staff as an assistant coach. Smith returns to Cincinnati after spending the last three seasons as an assistant at Northern Illinois University.
Smith, a 1998 graduate of UC, will be directly involved in every aspect of the Bearcat program, with specific responsibilities in the areas of recruiting, travel planning, tape exchange and on court training with the squad?s middle blockers.
?It is good to have Chrissy back,? said Sunahara, who was a first-year assistant at UC during Smith?s senior year. ?She brings a ton of experience to our staff with recruiting and alumni relations. Chrissy knows the Midwest well and is very well liked in the volleyball community. Her knowledge and passion for Bearcat volleyball will help us as we move into the BIG EAST next season. I feel that she is a great addition to our staff.?
At Northern Illinois, Smith coordinated the recruiting efforts for the Huskies? program, while also working with the team?s middle blockers. While at NIU, Smith was also the Mid-American Conference representative to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Assistant Coaches Committee.
Prior to her tenure at Northern Illinois, Smith spent two seasons at Division II Southern Indiana, including a year as head coach in 2001. At USI, Smith guided the Screaming Eagles to a record of 22-10 and a second place finish in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament . Smith spent the 2000 season as an assistant on the USI staff, helping the team to a 27-4 record.
As a player at UC, Smith earned All-Conference USA honors three times, including second team awards in 1995 and 1996. She was also a member of the Great Midwest Conference?s All-Newcomer Team in 1994. Smith?s name is peppered throughout the school record book in numerous categories, including a fourth place ranking in career kills and kills per game. A former walk-on, Smith went on to receive a full scholarship and served as a team captain during the 1997 season.
Smith will help lead the Bearcats as they make the transition to their first year in the BIG EAST Conference this fall. The 2004 Bearcats posted a 22-11 record and finished second in C-USA.