Legacy: David Smith's Olympic Journey

Former UC Irvine All-American and national champion David Smith will be making his fourth Olympic Games. Fourth. 

Only three other men’s volleyball players (Lloy Ball, Reid Priddy, Matt Anderson) are in that club. He is also in rare air among Anteater Olympians joining men’s water polo player Ryan Bailey, sailor Lanee Butler-Beashel and diver Greg Louganis as four-time participants.

“The other guys are legends of the sport so I sometimes hesitate to put myself on the same level with them because they were such amazing players and people. I’m really proud of myself for the longevity and for how long I’ve been able to contribute at such a high level to this program. A lot of people don’t get this opportunity and I’m very grateful.”

Smith credits his longevity to hard work, a little luck and his support system.

“My family has been on board every four years. They’ve been the best in allowing me to follow my dreams and pushing me to get better. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without them.”

Smith and his wife Kelli, who is also a talented athlete, running cross country and track at UCI, are proud parents of son Cohen and daughter Amélie.

What’s in store for Paris is yet to be determined, but Smith will draw from three very different previous Olympic experiences.

“Each lead up had a story of its own both personally and athletically. This one I felt the most confident about because of the body of work I put in. It’s still an anxiety ridden week leading up to the announcement because it is such a hard decision the coaching staff has to make. It was definitely satisfying, and I definitely broke down and cried a little bit.”

Smith first made the team in 2012 alongside former teammate Brian Thornton. The first UCI men’s volleyball players to hit the Olympic stage.

“2012 was a surprise. There was a low percentage I would make the team. I was just happy to be there training with the guys.”

Smith made the U.S. squad just after becoming a first-time father, adding to the whirlwind of being selected. He joined a veteran crew who had captured gold in 2008, making it through pool play before falling in the quarterfinals. 

“It was so unexpected and left me with a feeling of what I wanted to accomplish the next four years.”

Rio in 2016 was a very different team. The U.S. squad was young, but hungry. The team’s mantra was get to the quarterfinals and that would be their final. If you lose in the quarterfinal you don’t have a shot for a medal, you win and you put yourself in the medal round. 

“We had so much focus and intensity around that quarterfinal match and we went out and performed.”

In a crazy 48 hours, Smith went from being in a position to win a gold medal to a heartbreaking five-set loss to Italy in the semifinals. While gold was no longer a reality, a medal still was.

“Your heart is heavy, your body is exhausted, but we were able to go out and beat Russia. It was not an easy match to go through, but the feeling at the end of it and to be able to march out and get a medal around your neck was one of the coolest feelings in the world.”

Tokyo had so many unique characteristics. After a year delay, no fans were in the stands and athletes couldn’t leave the Village. Basically, shuttles to and from the training center to the competition hall were the extent of the experience.

“It was the quietest Olympics ever. The team hit the perfect storm and we weren’t ready for that and didn’t respond well and didn’t make it out of pool play. That’s the taste that’s in the mouths of the guys that are with us in Paris.”

Much like London to Rio, a shot at redemption is on the minds of Team USA. The experienced, highly-skilled team feels like they are in a good spot heading into Paris. The American squad is ranked fifth in the world rankings.

It’s not just experiences on the court that make the Olympics special to Smith. Fond memories include seeing Usain Bolt jump on a table at the dining hall and strike a pose and sitting next to the Dream Team for a meal in London. The spectacle of the Opening ceremony to the tiring walk waiting to get into the stadium are also vivid memories.

“There is nothing like it. It’s a collection of high-level athletes that are so proud to represent their country. I think the thing I’m looking forward to the most is just the competition. It’s packed, it’s loud and the stakes are high.”

Smith currently plays in Poland, winning three championships with ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle. He was the 2022-23 CEV Champions League Most Valuable Player and was named the Best Blocker in the Volleyball Nation’s League in 2023. He just keeps getting better.

An advantage of playing in Poland for several years is the collective knowledge he brings about the opponent to his U.S. teammates. Poland is the world’s top-ranked team and Smith gives extra insight on what their players are going to do. As a middle blocker, he organizes the block defense and is the on-court general on defense.

“I’m comfortable playing at that level and I think that has enabled me to get better as a player over the years and bring that skill set to Team USA.”

The story is impressive enough, but gets even more impressive when you learn Smith was born with severe hearing loss in both ears.

“I don’t know a hearing life or world so I have to put myself in other people’s environments and adapt and assimilate. Volleyball has always been a dream and passion and worth fighting for. It requires hard work and sometimes creativity.”

At UCI, Smith ('08 Engineering) was a member of UCI’s 2007 National Championship team, earning first team All-American honors as a senior. He was coached by U.S. head coach John Speraw while at UCI where the “David Smith Rule” was implemented and which the U.S. still uses today. When Smith goes for a ball its his because he can’t hear his teammates call him off. Trust from his teammates is easy to come by with Smith’s all-around skill-set.

In a KCAL News interview in 2023, Speraw talked about Smith.

“He is a great person with incredible character. I don’t even think about the hearing loss anymore because he has adapted so well and the team has adapted so well around him. He has made himself such a complete volleyball player that you don’t even know its an issue anymore. That’s a testament to his work ethic, how professional he is. He has really made himself into an incredible international volleyball player."

Smith had the opportunity to return home from the Polish season early enough to cheer on the current UCI team at the NCAA Championship in May. 

“I was so proud of them. They are a unique group of guys and I love what Kniff’s done with the program. They battled their hearts out. That five-setter against UCLA was an extremely fun match to watch and extremely heartbreaking to lose. I remember leaving with a big smile on my face because it was such an amazing match and they left it all out there. I know you want to win but you really can’t ask for much else.”  

Pride for being an Anteater and a United States team member radiates from Smith at home and in Paris. 

The United State begins Pool C play against Argentina Saturday (Jul. 27) at noon PT at the South Paris Arena.