MARQUETTE, Mich. - On Saturday, November 2, the NMU volleyball team honored the 2024 senior class with a senior night match against Parkside. One of the five seniors honored was fifth-year Jacqueline Smith. 

The senior, from St. Germaine, Wisconsin has played in 466 sets as a Wildcat, recording 1,887 kills and 1,240 digs. After receiving the GLIAC Freshman of the Year award, Smith would be selected to the All-GLIAC first team selected every year of her career. In the 2024 season, Smith broke the program's all-time kills record.

When speaking to Smith, she wanted to emphasize her work with Athletes in Action, a Christian group on campus where like-minded athletes gather weekly and reflect and work on their relationship with God. Smith is one of the leaders of the group and expressed how much she appreciates the athletes that attend the meetings, and all the memories they make while sharing their common beliefs. 

After graduating, Smith plans to return to her hometown and take some time off before hopefully getting a job and pursuing her dreams of having horses. 

Looking back on her time with the team, Smith cherishes the memories she has made with her team and all the friends she has made along the way. One specific memory Smith shared was from her freshman year, "we had success that year, and it was during COVID so it was a weird year but it was such a fun time."

Smith wanted to share with the community and the NMU volleyball fans that the way she plays is a reflection of her relationship with God. "The way I play is because I have freedom knowing that no matter how I perform, God loves me. He doesn't love me any more for the games I play my best in, and he doesn't love me any less for the games I may not perform the best," Smith explained. 

The 'Cats will enter postseason play with a GLIAC Quarterfinal match against Parkside on Wednesday, November 20 at 6 p.m. in Vandament Arena.