Kim Smith

Kim played indoor for 12 years before she turned her sights to beach volleyball. She had her breakout season in 2017 when she partnered with Olympic Bronze-Medalist CiCi Zhang and made 7 of 8 Main Draws. She’s also the AVP Staff writer.

What are your pre-game rituals?
Running to the ocean (to both warm-up and remove myself from the craziness) and listening to “The Birth and Death of Day” by Explosions in the Sky. The song is seven minutes long, so I stretch, pray, and get centered. I’m not superstitious, just a little stitious. But I’ve had this ritual since freshman year of college (omg – that was ten years ago).

If you weren’t playing professional volleyball, what would your job be?
Writer. Oh wait…

What is your favorite event location?
Seattle – I have family friends that live up there. They host me and a few other players and AVP staff. We spend our off-time playing pinball, air hockey, and cuddling their Corgi named Pickle. Second favorite is Chicago – I went to school there, so the city holds a special place in my heart. And it’s close to home so my whole family comes up.