Smith named to AVCA Thirty Under 30

The American Volleyball Coaches Association selected Grand Canyon men's volleyball assistant coach Keith Smith for its annual AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award, the association announced Monday.

The Thirty Under 30 Award was established to honor 30 up-and-coming volleyball coaches who are under 30 years old. The list features men's and women's coaches from all levels, including college, high school, club, indoor and beach programs.

Smith is in his third season as the GCU men's volleyball assistant coach after being hired in June of 2018. Smith has helped lead the team to 11 wins over top-15 teams, including a program-first win over the No. 1 team vs. BYU on Feb. 25, 2021. The match included a 45-43 win in the second set, setting the record for the highest-scoring set in NCAA men's volleyball history.

GCU earned a program-best No. 6 ranking in the NVA/AVCA Division I-II poll on March 6 after earning its highest preseason ranking in program history at No. 10 this season. The Lopes have spent 10 straight weeks in the top 10 of the poll.

Last year, Smith helped GCU to its highest final program ranking at No. 11. The Lopes finished the shortened season at 14-7, having defeated No. 9 Stanford and No. 8 UCLA for the first time in program history as well as taking down No. 6 Pepperdine. Smith also helped coach GCU's second-ever NVA/AVCA All-American honorable mention in redshirt freshman Camden Gianni.

Formerly a GCU student-athlete, Smith served as the volunteer coach for the team during the 2016 season. Prior to GCU, he served as the assistant coach of the Providence women's volleyball team in 2017. Smith had an instant impact, helping the Friars post a winning record (17-16) for the first time since 2007. While a part of the staff, the Friars had their best start in program history with 11 straight wins. He also helped Providence to six Big East wins, the most in program history.

Before Providence, Smith served as a volunteer assistant at McKendree with the men's and women's volleyball teams. As part of the Bearcats' staff, Smith worked with setters and made game plans by analyzing game film. In matches, he would help analyze and adjust game plans based off opponent's tendencies.

Smith is the all-time GCU leader in assists with 4,484 from 2011 to 2014. His 1,294 assists in 2013 rank eighth in NCAA history during the 25-point scoring era.

Smith's playing career came to an end in 2015 after competing for the Orion Top Volley Volleyball Club in Doetinchem, The Netherlands. Smith helped the team to top-four finishes in the regular season, playoffs and the national club tournament. With Smith's help, the team returned to the CEV Challenge Cup after missing out the previous season.

The Lopes continue their season this weekend when they travel to USC for their final regular-season road trip of the season.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Camden Gianni

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