By Bill Bray
FREMONT – When a fan walks into the Fremont Ross gym to witness a volleyball game this season, if they look to the far end of the “Purple Pit” they notice one poster picturing senior Brooklynn Smith.
That one senior is the heart and soul of the Lady Giants this season.
Smith, who will join a short list of four-year letter winners for the Lady Giant Volleyball program, is usually seen at her favorite position as middle hitter for Fremont Ross. Through four years of play, #33 has been a part of 245 sets while knocking down 291 kills along with 166 total blocks and 97 solo blocks. “It’s just fun getting to smack the ball, you know.” Smith said with a chuckle. “If I have had a bad day, it feels good to get the aggression out in that way. You can’t really do that in basketball unless you throw the ball at somebody.” Smith said smiling.
Being a four-year letter winner means Smith was “thrown to the wolves” her freshman year. “I’m glad I stuck with the sport this last four years. I don’t know if anyone knows this, but (coach Lindi) Cahill asked me to be on varsity my freshman year and I originally said no. She responded with ‘too bad’. With that I got thrown into it and now I feel glad that I did and feel so stupid for saying no, but coming in here so young, I just really didn’t know any better.”
The volleyball program was going through a rough stretch before the entrance of Cahill. Smith’s first season was also Cahill’s first at the helm. “I really felt unwelcomed by the other players on my first varsity team and that was very difficult. But I got through it,” Smith said.
In Smith’s four years comparing her first year to now the senior leader had this to say. “It has gotten 100 times better. Comparing my freshman year to now is totally unrecognizable to me,” Smith said. “Just the culture of the program and how people are acting towards each other now and how we all get along is completely different. It’s Cahill that has changed the culture for the better according to Smith. “It has changed for the better because of Lindi Cahill, 100%,” Smith said.
Just ask her coach about this year’s token senior and there is nothing but rave reviews. “In four years, she has seen the volleyball program go through positive change,” Cahill said. “But it hasn’t always been easy. She’s been through a lot but has stayed the course and has been a foundational part of the growth of Little Giant volleyball. Brook is a true Little Giant”
It wasn’t always easy as Smith can attest. It has been a night and day experience from her first few years of high school level volleyball to last year and this, her final season. “I remember the feeling of dread and I almost quit coming into my junior year because it just really wasn’t fun for me anymore. But it got much better, and I feel like I have really settled in now and am enjoying the sport more than ever.”
Settling into a more stable program last season, Smith began to feel some success and began getting closer and closer with her teammates. “Forming strong bonds with some of my teammates has been a great thing,” Smith said. “I’ve made some good friends on this team, and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if they weren’t here. Like I said it is just about the people for me. They can really make or break your experience; I’ve lived through that and know that now.”
Smith looks back on her career and the highlights outshine the lowlights as she prepares to make her exit. “Our Central Catholic win last season is a win I will take with me, Smith began. “We hadn’t beat them for a while and we were able to beat them on their home court. Then beating Findlay on their home court in five sets was another awesome game. Just the energy in the gym and all of us working well together, it was just so fun.”
What Smith hopes is left is a tournament run that will include a sectional championship. The Giants are in the middle of a 12-year drought of getting to District play. “A far tournament run is definitely a goal I have,” Smith said. “I want to get to play with my team as long as I can, because saying goodbye to them is going to be really hard. I’m just not ready for it to be done,” as a sad look appeared on the senior’s face. “I have been around people who couldn’t wait for their high school years to be behind them, but for me if I could play high school volleyball forever, I would.”
Brooklynn Smith (33) was honored during Senior Night before a win against Lakota
Smith (33) adding to her career statistics. Smith is on a short list of Fremont Ross volleyball players who have lettered all four of their seasons.