GALT, CA (MPG) - This week Liberty Ranch volleyball standout Rachel Smith and her family will celebrate her early graduation from Liberty Ranch High School. Smith has chosen to graduate early and move to Florida to compete on the Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team and study Sports Psychology and Broadcasting.

Smith was born here in Galt and attended Marengo Ranch Elementary, McCaffery Middle School, and now Liberty Ranch High School. 

It was during second grade that she began her volleyball career. She played for Club Prime Volleyball. While there, she loved watching her older sister play and wanted to be like her. From there Smith moved to Twin Cities Volleyball Club. While playing for TCVC she would start playing with girls she would eventually finish her high school playing years with. 

Force Volleyball Club was the third club Smith played for. She played three years for FPVC, and it was there that Smith began to truly love the game. Smith says her FPVC coaches made the game “come alive” and encouraged her to pursue great things. 

During Smith’s middle school years, she made some records for the McCaffrey history books. She scored the first point ever for the newly started volleyball program. Smith’s eighth grade year was hindered by COVID, so she and her teammates were unable to play that year. It was during COVID that Smith would move to her fourth club team. She started to play at OMNI Volleyball Club in Rancho Cordova. As a developing player, she was coached by coaches that pushed her both mentally and physically. During her time at OMNI they not only traveled nationally but also qualified for the U-17 National tournament. 

Smith’s high school years have been filled with excitement and grew her love of the game even more. 

During her freshman year, Smith made the varsity team coached by long time Liberty Ranch High School coach Mark Snow. That year, Liberty Ranch finished second (7-3) in the SVC league and went on to the league playoff games. They lost in the second round to Sonora. Smith was picked as a member of the SVC All-league team. 

As a sophomore, Smith and her teammates would win first place (10-0) in the SVC league and went on to the league playoffs, losing again in the second round to Central Catholic. It was there first time in Liberty Ranch volleyball history that the team had a 10-0 record during a high school season. Again, Smith was voted All-league. 

As for her junior year, Smith had to face adversity. She had to sit out her junior year due to a back injury. Smith said it was very difficult for her to watch her friends play as she recovered. During that time, she would spend many hours in physical therapy, training and supporting her team. 

It was in January of 2024 that Smith was physically able to play again for her volleyball club. She started out a bit timid. According to Smith, she was mentally fearful of the injury happening again. As she continued to play and build strength, she became stronger both mentally and physically. 

After playing in multiple tournaments, reaching out to many coaches and sending videos, Smith began to be recruited by a few teams. It was during the summer of her junior year that Smith took an official visit out to Florida to visit a school. She not only loved the school but knew she wanted to play for their coach. 

As a 6’6” senior at Liberty Ranch, Smith and the team won first place again in the SVC league. The team went on to play in the SJS section championship game. Smith was the second person to reach 400 kills in one season. She ended her senior season with 428 kills, 153 blocks, 65 ace serves, and a .439 hitting percentage. Her hitting percentage ranked her both in the state and nationally. This year she was voted the team’s co-MVP and All-league. 

As the excitement builds these next few weeks, Smith, an honor student, will be heading to Palm Beach Atlantic University. There she will be playing volleyball on a full ride scholarship. 

Smith would like to thank all her family, teachers, coaches, teammates and friends that have come out and watched her play volleyball and supported her along her journey. 

We look forward to following her at the next level.