Why Mentorship Matters to Me…
I’ve always believed that being an athlete is about more than just performance; it’s about growth, resilience, and learning who you are through every challenge and success. After spending four years competing for UCLA Beach Volleyball and now playing my fifth year of indoor volleyball at Indiana University in the Big10, I’ve experienced the full range of what it takes to balance academics, athletics, and personal development at the collegiate level.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the importance of mindset, preparation, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in your potential. I know how overwhelming the recruiting process can feel, how hard it can be to stay confident through setbacks, and how much it matters to have guidance from someone who truly understands what you’re going through.
That’s why I’m passionate about mentoring younger athletes: to be that support system, sounding board, and source of encouragement. My goal is to help student-athletes develop not only their skills and performance but also the mindset and balance that lead to long-term success and fulfillment. Whether it’s setting goals, navigating recruiting, improving performance, or simply learning how to believe in yourself, I want to help you reach your full potential, both on and off the court.
Education
Bachelors of Arts in Communications (3.8 GPA | UCLA)
Masters of Education in Transformative Coaching & Leadership (4.0 GPA | UCLA)
Masters of Science in Management, with a focus on Human Resources & Leadership (4.0 GPA | IU Kelley School of Business)
Accolades & Achievements
Collegiate Athletics (UCLA & Indiana University)
4-Year starter for UCLA Beach Volleyball
NCAA All-Tournament Team (2022 & 2025)
2x NCAA Championship Finalist & 2x Semi-Finalist
Pac-12 Freshman of the Year (2022)
Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2022)
Pac-12 Pair of the Week
Pac-12 Champion (2023)
College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team (2024)
UCLA All-Academic Team (2024 & 2025)
11-Time UCLA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll
(Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall, 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025)Current Indoor Volleyball Player at Indiana University (Big10 Conference)
High School & Club
AAU National Champion (2016)
2x USA Volleyball GJNC National Champion (Tstreet Volleyball Club - 2016 & 2018)
Division II All-CIF, South Coast Volleyball League First-Team (2018)
Division I All-CIF, South Coast Volleyball League First-Team & MVP (2019)
California Gatorade Player of the Year (2020)
AAU National Beach Player of the Year (2020)
Multiple AAU, USAV High Performance, & BVCA National Championships (MBSand - 2016–2020)
JVA All-America First Team (2021)
USA Volleyball High Performance Beach Team Member
Women’s AAA Rating since age 14
Contact Me
Interested in working together? I’d love to connect!
Whether you’re an athlete looking for guidance, a parent with questions, or just want to learn more about my mentoring sessions, feel free to reach out.
📩 Email: jjessicasmitth@icloud.com
📸 Instagram: @jjessicasmitth
💼 LinkedIn: Jessica Smith