Kelsey Smith is a senior transfer from UAB that joined the volleyball team in January of 2025. Smith has tallied over 1,000 and 400 kills throughout her collegiate career. A Cicero, Ind. native, Smith will spend her final season as a Rocket.

On how she began playing volleyball
My parents played volleyball. My mom played growing up and when she met my dad, she introduced him to the game. I didn't like it very much at first because my parents played. I kept telling them I wanted to play softball or anything else but volleyball. My parents always said they knew I would be a volleyball player, because I would hit balls pretty hard. They pushed me to play and it became my favorite sport. I started playing competitively in seventh grade. I kept with it since then, and it has been an important part of my life. And I'm happy it is. I wouldn't want it any other way.

On how she became a setter
My mom made me be a setter. She was the eighth-grade head coach when I was in seventh grade. She told me when the seventh-grade coach asked me if I wanted to be a setter, I was going to say yes because there weren't a lot of tall setters. My mom knew I was going to be tall and I was already quick with my feet from the other sports I was playing. I tried setting and it came really naturally. I'm glad I listened to my mom, because I would rather be setting than doing anything else. I like being the 'control panel' on the court. I am always in the game and I'm able to be a part of every play. Without good setting, a team can't be successful.

On why she chose to play at Toledo for her senior season
I wanted to get closer to home. I'm only three hours away from home now, but I was born in Michigan. My grandpa still lives in Michigan and it was hard for him to get to Alabama for my games. Now that I'm much closer, he'll be able to see me play in person. My aunts, uncles and cousins can attend my matches now, both at Savage Arena and on the road in the MAC. I was nervous entering the transfer portal in December as I was heading into my senior year. I had to do what was best for me.

The first conversation I had with assistant coach Bethany Lokken, we talked for over an hour. After that conversation, I had that gut feeling. I knew this was a program and a culture that I wanted to be a part of. As soon as I hung up with her, I called my dad and told him I wanted to go to Toledo. I came on a visit here, but I couldn't get an offer immediately since there was no head coach. Brian Wright called me on Christmas and offered me. It was the best Christmas ever.

On what she is most looking forward to during her senior year as a Rocket
I'm just looking forward to playing with this team. I have so much fun with them outside of volleyball, which makes playing volleyball together even more fun. The energy that everyone brings, the culture that we have in and outside of the gym and the attitudes that each person brings to practice is so good. It's so nice to play with people who are all working towards the same goal. And that's every single person on the team. We all want it, we're all buying in. I'm just excited to be around this team and play matches with them.

On her favorite volleyball memories
My junior year of high school we beat our volleyball rival school. They had this really good outside hitter, she was amazing and we struggled to stop her. We beat them in five sets and the last point was a block. My mom always tells me "block to win" so I was thinking about that and I went up for the block and we got her. It was so much fun. Another fun memory was last season at UAB, I got a kill because I kicked the ball over the net. That was such a crazy moment, I had no idea that it worked out that way. That was really fun. Since coming to Toledo, I've had so much fun both at practice and in the game situations we've played. I really enjoy playing with this team. I've never had teammates like this group and it makes volleyball so much more fun.

On her hobbies outside of volleyball
I enjoy reading, I love to read during the season while we're traveling. The amount of times I've finished a book and went to buy a new one at the airport is insane. I do that all the time because reading helps make the trip go by and it's satisfying to read on a plane. I also like to watch TV, hanging out with my friends. I tend to go on walks and talks with people as well.

On the importance of family
I am a huge family person. My sister is one of my best friends in this whole entire world. She is committed to play volleyball at West Virginia next season. We've always talked about volleyball and helped make each other better players. I also have a little brother who is getting into sports. I'm super close with my parents as well. I'm a big home person. When I go back home, I hang out with my family more than my friends. I'm happy to be closer to my immediate family and all of my extended family and have them in the stands.