David Smith (volleyball)

David Smith (born May 15, 1985) is an American volleyball player, member of the United States men's national volleyball team, bronze medalist at the Olympic Games (Rio 2016) and the 2018 World Championship, 2015 World Cup winner, Champions League winner (2021), Spanish Champion (2011), four–time French Champion (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). At the professional club level, he plays for ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle.

David Smith
Personal information
Nationality American
Born (1985-05-15) May 15, 1985
Panorama City, CA, United States
Height2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
Spike360 cm (142 in)
Block345 cm (136 in)
College / UniversityUC Irvine
Volleyball information
PositionMiddle blocker
Current club ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
Number15
Career
YearsTeams
2004–2007
2009–2010
2010–2011
2011–2016
2016–2017
2017–2018
2018–2019
2019–		 UC Irvine Anteaters
Caribes de San Sebastián
CV Almería
Tours VB
Czarni Radom
Warta Zawiercie
Asseco Resovia
ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
National team
2009– United States
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de Janeiro
FIVB World Championship
2018 Bulgaria/Italy
FIVB World Cup
2015 Japan
2019 Japan
FIVB World League
2012 Sofia
2015 Rio de Janeiro
FIVB Nations League
2019 Chicago
2018 Lille
NORCECA Championship
2017 Colorado Springs

Personal life

Smith was born in the Los Angeles district of Panorama City on May 15, 1985. Born nearly deaf, he wears hearing aids and reads lips to understand his teammates. He grew up in Santa Clarita, where he attended Saugus High School.

Smith is 6 feet, 8 inches tall. He married his wife Kelli in 2008, and has one son who was born in 2012. He also has a daughter.

Career

College

Smith played for the UC Irvine volleyball team from 2004 to 2007. In 2004, his .369 hitting percentage was the highest on the team. He also had a 1.03 blocking average and 102 block assists. The following season, he had a .401 hitting percentage and a 0.86 blocking average. Smith then had a .412 hitting percentage, 1.27 blocking average, 129 block assists, and 143 total blocks in 2006.

In 2007, Smith helped University of California win the NCAA National Champions title. His .559 hitting percentage led the nation and was a new school record. He also broke the UCI single-season block assists record, with 160. Smith was named to the All-American first team and the NCAA All-Tournament team. He finished his UCI career as the school's all-time leader in block assists (471) and total blocks (520).

National team

Smith joined the U.S. national team in 2009. That year, he was named the Best Blocker at the World Championship Qualifier and played in the FIVB World League. In 2010, he helped the U.S. win the Pan American Cup.

Smith tied as the team's second-leading scorer at the 2011 Pan American Cup, as the U.S. finished second. He then played in the 2012 FIVB World League, where the U.S. finished second.[1] At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he was a substitute and had eight points.

Sporting achievements

Clubs

Youth national team
  • 2004 NORCECA U21 Championship

Individual awards
  • 2012: French Championship – Best Middle Blocker
  • 2015: French Championship – Best Middle Blocker
  • 2016: French Championship – Best Middle Blocker

References
  1. "WL M: Poland beat USA to claim first World League title". worldofvolley.com. July 9, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
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