Former Lady Jet, Briana Smith “roars” into Division I volleyball

MADISON – For anyone who knows Briana Smith, she could easily be the subject of the 1970’s women’s anthem “I Am Woman,” which states in the song’s lyrics, “Hear me roar in numbers too big to ignore.” The college junior to be has taken the lead on a first for her high school alma mater of James Clemens as becoming the school’s first-ever Div. I volleyball player signing with Alabama A&M.

A 2023 graduate of James Clemens, Smith signed an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Lurleen Wallace Community College located in Andalusia. In two seasons, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Smith was the 2024 Co-Setter of the Year in the ACCC, All-Region First-Team and All-ACCC First Team. In her most recent sophomore season, Smith, who plays setter and was a starter in 29 matches, had 107 sets, 57 kills, 59 service aces, 262 digs and 921 assists. Her team was 26-6 on the 2024 season.

“It feels good to be someone from James Clemens to get to that higher level of school and a sport I love,” said Smith, who entered Alabama A&M at the first of the year for the spring semester and went through spring drills and spring matches against three schools. “On the court, I lead by example as I’m talkative, full of enthusiasm and a take-charge kind of player.”

The 20-year old Smith, daughter of Brett and Rosalyn Smith, has carried a 4.0 grade point average to “The Hill” where she looks to continue her education to earn a degree in biology with her sights set on becoming a physical therapist, a profession she chose thanks in part to her grandmother. Smith explained, “My grandmother was having physical therapists come to her home to treat her before she passed. I watched those therapists treat my grandmother and I felt like that’s my calling, so I chose to enter school for that profession.”

Smith began playing volleyball at age eight and has kept playing just as she does today. She attended Heritage Elementary and Liberty Middle School before taking her place at James Clemens and a potent spot on the Jets’ volleyball team.

At Lurleen Wallace, she was approached by several colleges such as Jacksonville State, Alabama State and Montevallo, but chose to stay close to home signing with the Lady Bulldogs. “Being able to play Div. I volleyball close to home is a dream come true,” said Smith. “I can’t wait to represent my school, my family, my club team (United Volleyball Club) and James Clemens on this next level. My full scholarship to Alabama A&M comes at the hands of the coaches there I like and were very welcoming and offered me a chance to play closer to home.” Smith has made an impact at every volleyball court she has played on and looks to do the same with the Lady Bulldogs. Like the song states, “I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman.”