WASHINGTON (April 11, 2023) – Howard University sophomore Media, Journalism, and Film major, Spanish minor Sareyah Rudd caught up with Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champion senior Alex Smith (New Orleans) for a quick Q and A session.
 
Q: What was your favorite moment at Howard?
A: My favorite moment at Howard would be playing against Penn State on ESPN this past volleyball season. Growing up in New Orleans as a 10-year-old, I had always dreamed of playing in that gym against one of the best teams in the country and in that moment my dream came true. I was no longer a 10-year-old praying to one day play on a national televised big stage. Instead, I was on the other side of the screen living out my dreams. That was easily one of my biggest achievements.
 
Q: What were your preferred pre-game, locker room and post-game routines?
A: My preferred pre-game, locker room and post-game routines consisted of blaring music and dancing with my team in the locker room to get super hyped for the big game. Post-game routines primarily consisted of celebrating the big win by going to parties as a team.
 
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: I do not specifically have one favorite artist because I listen to a variety of artists, but if I had to choose one it would be Lil Wayne (American rapper) easily (lol). My favorite song by him is "Let it all work out."
 
Q: How did you come back after missing a season due to COVID-19?
A: After missing a season due to COVID-19, I came back with high expectations of myself. I had not played indoor volleyball in almost a year but played beach volleyball with friends throughout the pandemic. So, I honestly did not know what to expect but was ultimately hopeful that my short break from volleyball would be beneficial in the long run.
 
Q: If you could describe your Howard experience in one word, what would it be?
A: If I could describe my Howard experience in one word it would be transformative. I am not the same 18-year-old who stepped on the yard for the first time in 2019 for better and maybe for worse.
 
Q: Which volleyball player do you admire?
A: I admire my high school volleyball coaches Julie Ibieta and Dana Launey, who played Division I volleyball at LSU and made it to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. They created me into the amazing player I am today and I could not be more grateful. They inspire me.
 
Q: What are some obstacles you faced throughout your collegiate career, and how did you overcome them?
A: One of the main obstacles that I faced throughout my collegiate career was my junior year, when my dad was diagnosed with a malignant meningioma (brain tumor) in the beginning of my season. This is easily one of the hardest things I have had to face in my life, but with the help of my team, coaches and family, I was able to fly back and forth from home to D.C. throughout the season to be with my family during this hard time.
 
Q: How did you balance being a finance major and a student-athlete at the same time?
A: I balanced being a finance major and student-athlete at the same time by implementing time-management skills. Being a student-athlete since eight years old, you kind of learn how to juggle school, sports and social life. This practice carried over to my collegiate years and aided me in overcoming the struggles of balancing both school and volleyball.
 
Q: What is one message you would leave for the rest of your team?
A: One message that I would leave is that they should never let anyone tell them what they cannot do. Each person is the decider of their future and is more capable than they know. Shatter their glass ceiling because I believe in each person and love them deeply. Also, they better hit the griddy every game (lol).
 
Q: Now that you are a graduate, what are your plans?
A: Now that I am a graduate, I recently accepted a full offer at Deloitte and will be an analyst in the Austin, Texas office. After working for Deloitte for two years, I plan to go to law school and obtain my juris doctorate.
 
About Smith:

• Personal
  • Hometown: New Orleans, La.
  • Major: Finance
• Athletic Achievements at Howard
  • 2x-MEAC Champion (2019 & 2021)
  • National Army Reserve athletic scholar
• Academic Achievements at Howard
  • 2x-MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team (2021 & 2022)

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.