Smith Shines for LHS

La Grange junior defensive specialist Ashtyn Smith is a huge reason the Lady Leps are having the special season that they are.

“She is phenomenal, knowing where to place the ball, talking to her teammates, encouraging them. She’s like a Mama Bear out there on the court,” said La Grange head coach Cierra McCain. “She’s a phenomenal kid and a great athlete. Whoever gets her at the next level is going to be very lucky.”

For everything Smith is doing to lead the playoffbound La Grange volleyball team, we’re proud to honor her as the newest Fayette County Athlete of the Week.

We caught up with Smith just moments after she led the Lady Leps in digs with 10 in Tuesday’s sweep of Navasota.

Here’s some highlights of our interview with her: Smith said she is really impressed with the collection of players on this year’s Lady Leps.

“I’m really excited to play with my teammates. I really like them a lot,” Smith said. “Every time I have a bad game, or if anyone has a bad game, we always have each others’ backs. I think we are really working well this season and I think we are going to go deep in the playoffs.”

Earlier this season Smith tallied her 1,000th career dig.

“It’s a really big milestone,” Smith said. “I was really glad this was the team I got to experience that with.”

Being a defensive specialist is not the glory position that the players at the net are in volleyball but Smith takes pride in her role.

“I like it (being a defensive specialist) because I get to be behind all the plays,” Smith said. “Even though I don’t make the points I get to see my teammates get a set and a kill off of it, and it makes me happy they are able to do that off my passes.”

Volleyball is not the only sport Smith excels at.

“I play softball. I was the catcher. We didn’t make the playoffs last year but we still had a good team,” Smith said. “I also play basketball, and the basketball team was really good last year (tying the LHS girls basketball program records to wins and farthest playoff run) and that was really fun.”

But for Smith there’s no question where her heart lies athletically.

“Volleyball is definitely my favorite,” she said.