During Dartmouth's current seven-game winning streak, Smith has averaged 16 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. In January, she was named Ivy League Player of the Week for three consecutive weeks.
"The goal for the team is to win the Ivy League," Smith said. "We want to win it every year, and this year is no different."
Smith came out of All Saints Episcopal High School in Fort Worth, Texas, las year to join her sister Margaret Smith '10 at Dartmouth. She immediately became one of Dartmouth's key players, averaging 10.7 points and 7.7 rebounds a game en route to being unanimously voted Ivy League Rookie of the Year. Her eight double-doubles helped shoulder some of the scoring load that had been handled mostly by teammate Koren Schram '09.
Smith's success in her first year garnered her increased attention on the defensive end when she returned to the court this season.Many teams double-team her nearly every time she gets the ball. Nonetheless, Smith has still improved her numbers, averaging 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game on the year -- both team highs. She also leads the team in blocks and field goal percentage.
"I've been getting more attention this year, but the great thing is everyone on our team is a threat," Smith said. "So if they try to double team me, we can make the extra pass and find an open player for an easy shot. Everyone contributes on the team, so it makes it difficult for other teams to focus on just a few of us. We have so many weapons."
Smith is an offensive force and who is on the court a for a considerable amount of time most games, and she has stepped into a leadership role during games this season. She said that she hopes to help the freshmen on the team navigate their way through a grueling schedule of basketball, practice and coursework. Off the court, however, she leaves the leadership to the upperclassmen.
"I can help some of the younger players with my experience," Smith said. "But off the court, I leave it to Koren and Darcy [Rose '09] because they are much more vocal than I am. My coach tells me to be more vocal in practices, so I am working on that."
Smith, who is majoring in sociology with a minor in economics, has utilized her height and versatility to find success on the court. At 6'1", she is taller than most players on the team. She is also better on the ball than most players her height, which makes her a nightmare to defend. Smith covers the court very quickly, making it easy for her teammates to pass her the ball for baskets.
As a sophomore, Smith has improved her shooting and defense. She can now shoot the ball comfortably from anywhere inside the arc, and plays well with her back to the basket. On the defensive end, she has improved her one-on-one defense, making her a weapon to contain small, quick guards. She has also improved her offensive rebounding, giving the Big Green countless second-chance opportunities.
"I've been working on my ball handling and shooting the most," she said. "I think they're both getting better, but if I can master them, I'll be really versatile. My goal for the year is to be an aggressive scoring threat and do whatever the team needs to win games -- defensively or offensively."
Smith, who likes to sleep and watch television during her free time, says that she hopes to take her team to four straight Ivy League titles during her career. Smith said that as she is playing as part of a program rich with success, she finds it important to uphold a tradition of excellence."I saw the award last year as something to build upon," Smith said. "It never crossed my mind that I was done working hard or that I had accomplished everything. The goal is to win a championship every year, and I have to just try my best to contribute. I just want to be remembered as hardworking and consistent."
The next step Smith hopes Dartmouth women's basketball will take is success on the national stage.
"Before my career is over, I want to get past the first round of the NCAA tournament."
With the reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year -- and a favorite for a future Player of the Year award -- in the ranks, it may not be too much of a stretch to expect the Big Green to shock the country in March.
