Adena’s Laura Smith Named National Federation Mideast & Ohio VB Coach of Year

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Adena Warriors Volleyball Coach Laura Smith has been named Ohio Volleyball Coach of the Year and Mideast Section 2 Volleyball Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations for the 2021-22 season. Mideast Section 2 covers the states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Smith was nominated to the National Federation by the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association and the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute says the award is based upon- “Your coaching performance for the 2021-22 school year, lifetime community involvement, school involvement and philosophy of coaching.”

Dr. Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations said- “This award denotes your status among the most elite coaches in your section, and as state coach of the year for your sport. You were specifically nominated by the Ohio High School Athletic Association to receive this award and confirmed as the most deserving recipient by the NFHS Coaches Association.” 

The Warriors coach of 37 seasons said there are many people who have played a role in the program’s success. “I’ve had the privilege to coach many fine student athletes and to work and learn from many exceptional coaches. I’m so fortunate to have had opportunities to learn from some of the best. And most of all, I know the Lord put me where I am. I had zero experience when I started coaching at Adena; but I did have a God given drive to be the best I could possibly be in whatever I do.  I’ve always tried to instill that drive in our players to always give your best effort in anything you do because if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”    

Smith was inducted into the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and has been the OHSVCA State Coach of the Year in 1993 and 2021.

While the award covers the 2021-22 school year, Smith’s current career won-lost record is (797-185). She is currently ranked second on the all-time Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches career win list, but holds the record for the most wins at the same school, having coached her entire 37 years at Adena High School. 

Smith has led seven Adena teams to the OHSAA Final Four, two of which were state runner-up. Her Adena teams have won 26 Scioto Valley Conference titles, 30 district championships, and 35 sectional crowns- including a current streak of 34 straight.

34 All Ohioans have played Adena Volleyball during Smith’s tenure.

Adena VB teams under Laura Smith also had winning streaks of 98 straight SVC matches between 2005-2011 and 142 consecutive overall home victories between 1995-2012.