Smith, Tolbert earn VaSID honors

Smith picks up Rookie of the Year and Tolbert earns first-team All-State

December 19, 2017

VaSID Release

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – After already earning All-ACC honors, freshman Kaity Smith and junior Jaila Tolbert were tabbed Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Rookie of the Year and first-team All-State picks, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon for the 2017 University Division All-State Volleyball team.

Smith hit the ground running during her freshman campaign and became a top option in Virginia Tech’s offensive repertoire. The All-ACC Freshman collected the second-most kills by a freshman in the conference (309), which is sixth-best in VT history for a first-year player. Her team-best average of 3.25 kills per set also ranks fifth all-time among Hokie freshman.

During the season opener, Smith drilled the most kills in a Tech debut with 30 against Idaho State. The Kentucky product also finished the season with five double-doubles and was twice named ACC Freshman of the Week.

Tolbert had her best season to date, hitting more than .300 in 20 matches and owning the Hokies’ top hitting percentage (.331). This fall, the Minnesota native posted career bests in kills, hitting percentage, assists, service aces and digs. The second-team All-ACC honoree’s .331 clip was the seventh-best in the conference, and the top mark among non-middle blockers.

VaSID names 27 All-State teams in 15 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relation’s professionals working at a university or conference in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia Sports Information Directors University Division All-State

VaSID Player of the Year – Maddie Palmer (Raford)
VaSID Rookie of the Year – Kaity Smith (Virginia Tech)
VaSID Coach of the Year – Jody Rogers (VCU)

First Team
At Large - Tori Baldwin (VCU)
At Large - Anna Gragg (Liberty)
At Large - Alica Kandler (VCU)
At Large - Maddie Palmer (Radford) **
At Large - Bryn Recker (James Madison)
At Large - Jaila Tolbert (Virginia Tech)
At Large - M’Kaela White (James Madison)
Libero/DS - Rebekah Strange (VCU)

Second Team
At Large - Sydney Biniak (William & Mary) **
At Large - Vicky Giommarini (VCU)
At Large - Casey Goodwin (Liberty)
At Large - Haley Kleespies (Radford) **
At Large - Sarah Martin (James Madison)
At Large - Reeana Richardson (Hampton)
At Large - Jasmin Sneed (VCU)
Libero/DS - Taylor Austin (James Madison) ***

*** - three-time all-state
** - two-time all-state

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