- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 397,758
- Reaction score
- 43
BRONSON — When faced with the tough decision of whether to play basketball or volleyball in college, Bronson's Payton Smith took some time to figure it out.
But instead of having to choose which route she would ultimately follow, the University of Olivet stepped in and gave her an opportunity she could not refuse. Now, Smith will be continuing her academic, basketball and volleyball careers with the Comets.
"In talking with both coaches since my junior year, the day I went on a visit and learned both were interested in me, I was given the opportunity to play both," Smith said. "I knew I couldn't turn that down. I knew i didn't want to be done, I've been playing both sports for a long time, so I wasn't just gonna give it up."
Smith said she estimated playing volleyball for the better part of 10 years and has nearly the same amount of time committed to her basketball career as well.
Olivet had several positives she was able to check off her pro-con list as well.
HATHAWAY TO GEORGIA: Georgia's not too far away for Hathaway, who will follow her love of horses south
MEAH'S PERFECT FIT: SMC a 'perfect fit' for Constantine's Meah Evans
"It's definitely nice to know that I'm not just done once high school is over. I'm looking forward to both careers not being done," Smith said. "For me, it was a pretty easy decision when I was offered for both. I'm from a small town, it's a small school – that was everything I was looking for, so I'm pretty excited."
This past year, the Comet volleyball team finished with a 13-13 record overall. The hoops team finished the season at 5-20, but both programs are looking to continue to improve with talents like Smith filling out their rosters.
During her high school careers, Smith was a four-year player for both the hoops and volleyball programs at Bronson. The Vikings did quite a bit of winning while she was in school and she is hoping to take that winning mindset with her to Olivet.
When it comes to the classroom, Smith said she plans to study either sports management or sports medicine. She has aspirations of becoming an athletic trainer or potentially athletic directing, so she will ultimately make that decision once she gets some time in college under her belt.
Ideally, she said, she wants to continue to have a life involved in sports.
She will miss her friends and the hometown feel. Olivet is small enough as a college where that transition will be easier for her — and it's relatively close driving distance as well.
"I'll miss all of it, really. The relationships I've formed. Some of my best friends go here (Bronson) and it's gonna suck not being around them next year," she said. "But it's only 45 minutes away, so I can come home. I'm mostly bummed about not having my mom there, but I will know some people there as well. My mom is my best friend."
There were other options for Smith when it came to the next level. Other schools were recruiting her for one sport or the other, but Olivet was right there with the option to being able to compete in both.
Her best friend helped support her throughout the whole process as well, cementing the idea for Smith into making the best decision for her future.
"I've talked with my parents about the decision a lot," she said. "After my visit, I told mom I loved it there, but she stressed about me not jumping to conclusions right away. We gave it some time and talked about it and my parents have been supportive the whole way. We talked out the logistics and everything and I know I made the right choice."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Bronson's Payton Smith continues academic, hoops and volleyball career
Continue reading...
But instead of having to choose which route she would ultimately follow, the University of Olivet stepped in and gave her an opportunity she could not refuse. Now, Smith will be continuing her academic, basketball and volleyball careers with the Comets.
"In talking with both coaches since my junior year, the day I went on a visit and learned both were interested in me, I was given the opportunity to play both," Smith said. "I knew I couldn't turn that down. I knew i didn't want to be done, I've been playing both sports for a long time, so I wasn't just gonna give it up."
Smith said she estimated playing volleyball for the better part of 10 years and has nearly the same amount of time committed to her basketball career as well.
Olivet had several positives she was able to check off her pro-con list as well.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
HATHAWAY TO GEORGIA: Georgia's not too far away for Hathaway, who will follow her love of horses south
MEAH'S PERFECT FIT: SMC a 'perfect fit' for Constantine's Meah Evans
"It's definitely nice to know that I'm not just done once high school is over. I'm looking forward to both careers not being done," Smith said. "For me, it was a pretty easy decision when I was offered for both. I'm from a small town, it's a small school – that was everything I was looking for, so I'm pretty excited."
This past year, the Comet volleyball team finished with a 13-13 record overall. The hoops team finished the season at 5-20, but both programs are looking to continue to improve with talents like Smith filling out their rosters.
During her high school careers, Smith was a four-year player for both the hoops and volleyball programs at Bronson. The Vikings did quite a bit of winning while she was in school and she is hoping to take that winning mindset with her to Olivet.
When it comes to the classroom, Smith said she plans to study either sports management or sports medicine. She has aspirations of becoming an athletic trainer or potentially athletic directing, so she will ultimately make that decision once she gets some time in college under her belt.
Ideally, she said, she wants to continue to have a life involved in sports.
She will miss her friends and the hometown feel. Olivet is small enough as a college where that transition will be easier for her — and it's relatively close driving distance as well.
"I'll miss all of it, really. The relationships I've formed. Some of my best friends go here (Bronson) and it's gonna suck not being around them next year," she said. "But it's only 45 minutes away, so I can come home. I'm mostly bummed about not having my mom there, but I will know some people there as well. My mom is my best friend."
There were other options for Smith when it came to the next level. Other schools were recruiting her for one sport or the other, but Olivet was right there with the option to being able to compete in both.
Her best friend helped support her throughout the whole process as well, cementing the idea for Smith into making the best decision for her future.
"I've talked with my parents about the decision a lot," she said. "After my visit, I told mom I loved it there, but she stressed about me not jumping to conclusions right away. We gave it some time and talked about it and my parents have been supportive the whole way. We talked out the logistics and everything and I know I made the right choice."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Bronson's Payton Smith continues academic, hoops and volleyball career
Continue reading...
