Wingate University Athletics

2015: Tyler Smith appeared in 25 matches during her junior season at Wingate, starting 14 contests…Collected 1.55 kills and a team-best 1.03 blocks per set, hitting .250 on the year…Finished third in the SAC in blocks per set and 11th in hitting percentage…Hit .500 with six kills and two blocks in two sets against Limestone…Hit .400 with nine kills and four blocks against Erskine…Had 11 kills, four blocks and three digs at Lenoir-Rhyne, hitting .321…Collected eight kills and five blocks against Carson-Newman…Hit .706 with 12 kills and four blocks against LMU.

2014: Smith appeared in 14 matches during her sophomore year at Wingate, collecting 22 kills and eight blocks…Hit .333 with three kills and two blocks against UNC Pembroke…Collected three kills at Newberry…Had five kills and three blocks in two sets at Coker, hitting .429…Hit .333 with three kills at Catawba.  

2013: Smith appeared in 13 matches in her first season at Wingate, starting three contests...Hit .276 with 14 kills on the year, adding 13 blocks...Hit .667 with two kills against Anderson...Had three kills and four blocks against Lees-McRae...Registered three kills and four blocks against Coker...Had two kills and two blocks against Brevard.

Personal: Smith was a first team All-State selection and first team All-District player as a captain of her Aiken High School team. She led the team to the state finals. As a club player, Smith played for Magnum, a highly competitive club in the Palmetto Region. In addition to being a standout athlete, Smith is a top student. She is Presidential Scholarship recipient at Wingate, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is vice-president of her student council and editor in chief of her school newspaper.

Full name is Tyler Marie Smith..Born April 26, 1995 in Columbia, S.C...Daughter of Gary and Stephanie Smith...Majoring in Communications ...Wants to be a Sports Journalist....Favorite class at Wingate: Sports Management...Favorite athlete: LeBron James...Favorite sports team: Clemson Tigers...Favorite movies:  Remember the Titans & Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby...Favorite TV Show: Friday Night Lights...Favorite Food: Crab cakes and Pancakes...Favorite sport to play other than volleyball: Volleyball...Tyler can't imagine a week without: Friends...Most thrilling sports moment: Winning regionals in 2013...People Tyler most admires: Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights and Amy Poehler...How Tyler gets ready for a game: Having a dance party...Something people don't know about Tyler: I make bomb cookies...Nickname: Smitty...Tyler thinks: the fastest person on the team is Steph, strongest is Cory, and the funniest is Shelby...Favorite quote:  "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"

Why Tyler chose Wingate: The incredible team dynamic and quality of coaching. 

Coach Collier:
"Ever since Tyler arrived here three years ago, she has been a leader and an intense, driven competitor. She is a classic over-achiever and will be important as one of our  captains and as an offensive force for us this season."