Meet the Coach

Name: Emily Smith

Age: 31

Role at South Garner High School: I am a Health and PE teacher, as well as an assistant principal intern at South Garner.

Education Background: I grew up in Morganton, NC which is a small town in the foothills of North Carolina. So small in fact, that I had almost all of the same classmates from 1st-12th grade! After I graduated high school in 2009, I attended Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a Health and Physical Education Concentration and a K-12 Teaching License. I student taught at Athens Drive High School and was hired there following student teaching, which is why I stayed in the Raleigh area! I currently live in Benson, NC, with my spouse and our three dogs-Scout, Ellie, and Kenna.

Coaching Experience:

1 year JV Volleyball at Athens Drive High School

1 year at NC Elite Volleyball

4 years Varsity Head Volleyball Coach at Athens Drive High School

3 NCHSAA State Playoff Qualifications

1 year JV Girls Lacrosse at Athens Drive High School

1 year Varsity Girls Lacrosse at Athens Drive High School

2 years Varsity Head Volleyball Coach at South Garner High School

Playing Experience: I have played volleyball since I was in the 7th grade! I walked up to my dad at a travel soccer tryout, coming from a big time soccer family, and told him that I'd rather go to volleyball tryouts and they started in an hour! Luckily, he took me and I have played ever since! I was a captain and MVP at my high school and was sidelined from a college scholarship due to a shoulder injury during my senior season. I was also a competitive swimmer and was ranked nationally during my high school career as well as swam at an Olympic Qualifier. I couldn't walk away from the game totally so I always knew that I would coach one day and I am so excited that my profession has led me here!