September 21, 2024

Welcome to our exclusive interview with Jessica Smart, a standout volleyball player from Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, New Jersey. As a senior and a key member of the Southern Rams, Jessica has made a significant impact on the court with her exceptional skills and leadership. Standing tall at 6 feet, she plays both outside hitter (OH) and middle hitter (MH), showcasing her versatility and athleticism. Today, we delve into her journey, achievements, and aspirations as she prepares for the next chapter in her volleyball career.

Jessica’s sports journey began at a young age, but was more focused on hockey than volleyball. An injury as a freshman flipped her focus to volleyball and she has not looked back. Her dedication to the sport during high school has been unwavering. She has honed her skills and developed into one of the top players in the state. Her junior year was particularly remarkable, as she helped lead the Rams to an impressive 33-2 record, including a perfect 14-0 league record. Her performance on the court has not only earned her accolades but also the respect and admiration of her teammates and coaches.

Her team consistently ranks among the top in New Jersey, thanks in large part to her powerful spikes, precise blocks, and strategic plays. Her ability to read the game and make quick decisions has been instrumental in the team’s success. Jessica’s leadership extends beyond her physical abilities; she is known for her positive attitude and ability to motivate her teammates, making her a true asset to the Rams.

As Jessica prepares for her final season with Southern Regional, she reflects on the lessons learned and the memories made. She credits her coaches and teammates for their support and guidance, which have been crucial in her development as a player. Looking ahead, Jessica has her sights set on playing volleyball at the collegiate level, where she hopes to continue growing and competing at a higher level. Her determination and passion for the sport are evident, and there is no doubt that she will achieve great things in the future.

In this interview, we will explore Jessica’s experiences, challenges, and goals. From her early days in volleyball to her standout moments with the Rams, Jessica shares her insights and aspirations. Join us as we get to know this talented athlete and learn more about what drives her both on and off the court.

Hi Jessica… Playing for Southern with its long-standing tradition of excellence can be
empowering. Which former Rams influenced you the most during your high school career?

There are so many people who have come through this program that have influenced me. But
the one person that sticks out to me the most is Jordyn Hamlin. Not only is she a phenomenal
player, but an even better teammate. I look up to her in many different ways. She’s always had
the best mindset and came to practice everyday with a smile on her face and the will to work
hard and give her all.

What is your best memory of your high school career so far?

My best memory of my high school career was last year when we beat Williamstown in the State
Sectional finals. That was our toughest competition all year and it’s always a battle against
them. They beat us the previous year so it was good to get them back.

What professional field do you want to enter after college?

I’m still undecided, however I’ve grown up playing sports my whole life, so I want to stay
connected to them in a way. I’m thinking about majoring in Sports management or
communications.

The Rams are off to a good start but have dropped matches to both Princeton and
Williamstown. Tell us about how your team matched up with these two NJ powers?

I think we matched up really well with both of these teams. Having these two losses in the
beginning of the season will only help us in the long run, so we can really focus on what we
need to improve on. I love playing tough competition and so does my team. It helps us with what
we need to work on specifically.

Do you expect the Rams to compete for a Group 4 championship?

100%. We know what we are capable of, and we know what we want to achieve this season. It
is going to take hard work, but we have the discipline and work ethic to get us there. The team
is super excited for this season and can’t wait to achieve some of our goals.

The Rams are always a leader in setting the tone for NJ state policy. Southern has already
begun testing 5 set matches during phase-in. Personally, do you prefer the 5 set or 3 set
matches?

I would much rather play 5 sets. It gives everyone a little more playing time and chances to
show what they can do. Especially in more intense games against teams ranked top 10 in the
state. I know Southern is hoping to play as many 5-set matches as possible.

In your 3-year high school career, you have put up some impressive statistics and are on your
way to surpass 500 kills for your career. What are your expectations for your senior campaign?

I definitely expect to pass 500 kills for my career this season. For my senior season I want to try
to get 300 kills. As a team we know what we want to accomplish, and that is a Group 4 State
Championship. All of these goals and expectations are going to take hard work, but we know we
can do it.

Tell us about your Rams head coach, Eric Maxwell?

Coach Maxwell is a great coach and person. He works us hard in practice because he knows
what it takes to achieve our goals. I love having him as my high school coach because he
knows what we can push through in practice, and will work us hard. From a person perspective,
he cares about us outside of volleyball and checks up on us to see how we’re doing. Whether
that be mentally, physically, or about college. He is a great person overall.

Tell us about your teammates and some of the individuals that will contribute toward the Rams
success in 2024?

This is a phenomenal team and I love being a part of it. Most of us girls have been playing
together for a couple years now. We played club volleyball together as well, so we all know each
other very well, and we know how each other play. I think this has helped us tremendously. It’s
very hard to point out certain individuals because everyone on the team plays a very important
role. However, I would like to mention Bailey Adams, Emily Brunatti, and Bryn Hagen. Bailey
has been doing an outstanding job so far this season. She is listed as number one in the state
for assists, and will continue to be a big help with us this season. Emily Brunatti will also be a
big contributor to us. She has been digging balls that I didn’t think were possible. She is also
listed at 3rd in the state for most amount of digs. And lastly, Bryn Hagen. She has been a big
presence up at the net, not only this season but last season as well. I think Bryn will really show
up and show everyone what she can do.

Tell us about your volleyball club experience?

My first year of club volleyball was right after my freshman high school season. A lot of the girls
from my high school team joined it. We played together throughout the year and all became
super close. Continuing onto sophomore year, our connection on the court from club followed us
onto the court during high school season. It has been like that for the past 3 years. It was a
great experience and I loved my coaches. They are what made the experience what it was.
Coach Charlie and Coach Cathy have helped me become a better player and person. They help
out with anything you need and reach out to see how you are doing.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Harper Murray. She is a Nebraska outside hitter. I can relate to her mentality
and that’s why I love watching her. She had to go through some difficulties, but she pushed
through and continues to play and be an inspiration for girls watching her and playing volleyball.

What else would you like us to know about you?

In the beginning of my freshman year, I was out injured with a broken collarbone. I was cut short
on my season and didn’t have a lot of time to prove myself. I only had the second half to get
back into the groove of playing again. I broke my collarbone playing ice hockey, which was my
main sport at the time and my plan was to eventually go to college for ice hockey. After my
sophomore year of volleyball season is when I really wanted to pursue my volleyball career into
college and not hockey anymore. My whole life was about hockey and continuing that as far as
possible. I’m so happy I made the switch to making volleyball my passion.