FRISCO – Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball libero Jade Smith has been named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of Week on Monday afternoon.
 
Smith (Houston – Mayde Creek) guided the Lions to a 2-1 opening weekend on their home floor as part of the Lion Invitational.
 
Through the three matches, Smith recorded 79 digs which is nearly 30 more than anyone else in the Southland. She picked up 20 or more digs in each match, totaling 27 against Little Rock, 29 in the win over Central Arkansas, and 23 in the win over Tarleton. She had just three receiving errors all weekend.
 
Smith is the second Lion in the Southland era to earn conference player of the week honors and first since 2022.
 
The Lions hit the road for the first time this season, playing in the Pirate Invitational at East Carolina this weekend. A&M-Commerce faces Western Carolina and Eastern Carolina on Friday and North Carolina A&T on Saturday.
 
2024 Southland Volleyball Players of the Week

Date	Offensive	Defensive	Setter
Sept. 2	Reaghan Thompson, Northwestern State	Jade Smith, A&M-Commerce	Grace McLaughlin, Houston Christian