Colleen Smith is the Volunteer Assistant Coach and is in her first season with the Lobos. Smith began her duties in January 2014 and brings a lot of experience to the program, including professional and college experience under head coach Jeff Nelson.
Smith started her collegiate career at Washington State University in 1997. She played two seasons before transferring to Texas Tech where Nelson was coaching at the time. She was a standout player under Nelson, earning many accolades, including AVCA All-American in 2000, All-Big 12 conference selection, Academic All-Big 12 selection, AVCA All-Region Team in 2000.
After closing her collegiate career, Smith went on to play professionally in Vicenza, Italy from 2002-03. She moved on to Amstelveen, Netherlands in 2003-04. In 2005, she then split season in Puerto Rico and Indonesia. After playing professionally overseas, Smith returned to the US and played professional beach volleyball in Southern California from 2006 to 2011. She also coached at Mesa College in 2006.
Smith graduated from Texas Tech in 2002 with a BA in English and later received her Associates Degree in culinary arts from The International Art Institute in Culinary Arts, which she graduated with Highest Honors.
Smith’s hometown is Albuquerque and she enjoys writing, photography and traveling. Her parents, Steve and Judy, are huge Lobo volleyball fans. Her brother Dan played baseball at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.