COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: WAVERLY'S SMITH SIGNS LETTER-OF-INTENT TO PLAY COLLEGIATELY AT DELHI (2024-04-04)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Waverly senior Lily Smith will continue her days of playing volleyball after signing a National Letter-of-Intent to play collegiately in the fall at SUNY Delhi here Thursday in a brief ceremony in the high school learning center.

Smith said Delhi was the perfect fit in terms of volleyball and academics.

“I met the Delhi coach (Beau Bracchy) at a camp, and I really liked his coaching style, so the big draw to Delhi, for me. was the coach.

“And, they have my major (Nursing),” said Smith. “And they have an accelerated program, so I can save some money while I’m getting my Bachelor’s Degree.”

Smith also plays for the Northern Tier Volleyball Club, and believes that played a big part in her development as well.

“I like playing in the spring season … you can keep playing and working on your skills,” she said. “You get to play against other girls who are really dedicated, and skilled, and that makes you better.”

Waverly volleyball coach Hailee Herc has no doubt Smith will be successful at the next level.

“Lily is really competitive, and wants to do what’s best for the team.

“She was probably the only player on the team that after every practice, and game was coming up to me and asking questions, and wanting to get better,” said Herc.

“The camp we had my first year (at Waverly), Lily stuck out to me right away with her work ethic, her ability to work with other people, and her overall skill — she has the talent and the work ethic to makie it at the next level,” Herc added.

Herc said Smith will just need to adjust to speed of the game at the next level.

“All players have to realize that when you play in college, the game moves a lot faster,” she said. “Lily will just have to get up to speed with how the game is played, and staying consistent.

“I think mindset is a big thing as well,” she added. “When you play at the college level, everyone is good, so you have to know you might get a lot of playing time, and you may not get any playing time at all. You just have to keep your work ethic, and your mentality the same regardless of which way it goes.”

Smith wants to be more of a leader in college.

“I’d say I need to work on my leadership on the floor, and taking control of the offense as a setter,” she said.

Smith also said she looks forward to competing for time at Delhi.

“I’m not afraid of the competition because I’m confident my coach will prepare me well,” she said. “I’m excited to get out there and, hopefully, get some playing time, and contribute to the team.”

Herc also believes Smith is well-prepared to take on the off-the-court adjustments playing at college presents as well.

“From what I’ve seen of Lily, she is very responsible,” she said. “She dances, she plays volleyball, she works … her dedication is there.

“It’s just the adjustment to being independent, and I think she’s already pretty independent, so I don’t see her having any difficulty with that,” Herc added.

Smith will major in Nursing at Delhi.

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IN PHOTO: Waverly senior Lily Smith. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.