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University of New Mexico Lobos athletics
Natasha Smith - Women's Tennis - University of New Mexico Lobos Athletics

Natasha Smith

Height

5-9

Class

Jr.

Hometown

Long Beach, Calif.

2013-14 Season (Junior Season/First Season at UNM)

After posting a 2-4 singles record in the fall tournament season and 14-7 singles record in the regular season, Smith finished her first season at UNM with an overall singles record of 16-11. She competed primarily in the No. 4 singles position for the Lobos, but competed in as high as the No. 2 spot. Smith was the only Lobo to earn a Mountain West Tennis Player of the Week Award. She was given the honor for the week of Jan. 22-28 as she assisted the Lobos to two victories.

Smith completed the 2013-14 season with an overall doubles record of 19-9. She competed primarily in the No. 2 doubles position with teammates Meredith Hopson and Dominique Dulski. Smith and Hopson recorded a 10-3 record for the 2014 regular season, giving them the second most doubles victories on the team. Smith and Dulski finished the season ranked 9th in the ITA Mountain Region doubles rankings.

Smith completed the 2014 MW Championships with a singles record of 2-1. Smith and Dulski went 1-1 in doubles play during the tournament. After losing their match to the San Diego State Aztecs in the semifinals, the duo came back strong against top-seeded Fresno State and recorded a win. They were the only UNM doubles team to pick up a win against FSU.

Prior to UNM

Natasha Smith transferred to UNM from the University of Utah for the 2013-14 season. She played for Utah for the last two seasons. Smith competed in the semi-finals of the invitational draw at the Pac-12 championships in 2012. Smith held best conference record on the team during her freshman year (5-2). 

High School

Natasha Smith graduated from Wilso HS in Long Beach, Calif. where she was coached by Peter Smith. She was named MVP in tennis for two consecutive years after she went undefeated at the No. 1 singles spot in 2010 & 2011. She was ranked No. 15 in California while attending Wilson. Before heading to Utah, Smith was ranked No. 67 in the nation.  

She took two years off tennis in high school to do cheerleading and play softball. 

Personal

She is the daughter of Alexandra and Geoffry Smith and younger sister to Tanya Smith, who is currently a rower at UCLA. Natasha is planning on majoring in accounting while at UNM. When she’s not playing tennis, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and napping. Her favorite food is sushi and her favorite athletes are Matt Kemp and Roger Federer. 

Head Coach Erica Jasper on Natasha Smith

“As our lone senior and team captain, we have asked a lot of Natasha this fall, and she continues to inspire and lead in a manner that is so impressive and mature.  Natasha has a big game, a huge heart, and is probably one of the toughest competitors I have coached—always putting the good of the team ahead of herself.”