.png&type=webp)
Rice University Athletics
Spring 2026 Women's Volleyball Roster
Roster
Aaliyah Smith
- Position:
- Outside Hitter
- Height:
- 6-1
- Class:
- Sophomore
- High School:
- Ridge Point HS
- Hometown:
- Missouri City, Texas
2025 (Freshman): Played in 92 of 107 sets…earned American Freshman of the Week honors twice…was unanimously voted to the American All-Freshman Team…averaged 2.66 kills per set and totaled 242 kills on the season…had 13 matches with 10 or more kills…totaled 34 blocks on the season…had a season-high 16 kills against UTSA on Oct. 24.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played volleyball at Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas, under coaches Lauryn Bailey and Louise Crite … Earned four district championships, two area championships, and was a state finalist during her time with the Panthers … Finisd her career with 502 kills, 101 blocks, 485 digs, and a .249 hitting percentage … Earned a slew of accolades during her time at RPHS, including AVCA All-American Watch List 2024, 2x AVCA Phenom Watch List in 2022 and 2023, First Team All District 20-6A in 2023, Second Team All-District 20-6A in 2022, and was a four-time Academic All District honoree every year in high school … Played club volleyball against Rice teammate Sydnee Peterson … Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
PERSONAL: Born Aaliyah Nichole Smith in Plano, Texas … Birth date is March 20 … Daughter of Chareta and Wade Smith … Has three siblings … Mother played basketball at Memphis and was inducted into the Lauderdale County Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 … Father was a 12-year offensive lineman in the NFL, playing for Houston for four years … He was inducted into the M Club All-Sports Hall of Fame at Memphis in 2022 … Sister Arissa played volleyball for two years at Mississippi State, now plays at Rice.
