Anna Smrek Scores NCAA National Title and Honours with Wisconsin Badgers

In what will go down as a historic moment for the Wisconsin Badgers women’s volleyball program with their first-ever National Championship victory at the 2021 tournament, Anna Smrek’s performance will too be immortalized as one for the ages as a key factor in the team’s success. The Welland native joined her team among the raining confetti to hoist the prestigious trophy on December 18 after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a nail-biting five sets and was additionally tabbed as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The last time a Canadian earned this honour was in 2006 by Olympian and fellow Ontarian, Sarah Pavan who competed for Nebraska, coincidentally.

Nationality

Canada

Position

Middle Blocker

Current Team

Wisconsin Women

Leagues

NCAA Matches Women

Height

206cm

Birth Date

May 2, 2027

Home Town

Welland, ON

Social

Throughout the bracket – and particularly in the latter tournament matches – Smrek was stealing the show with game changing contributions over the net with team-high kills and incredible swing accuracy. Such efforts include a 20 kill performance with one error and a 0.741 hitting percentage against the Louisville Cardinals.

The freshman would then lead the Badgers on the offensive in the Championship match against Nebraska by posting 14 kills and 7 blocks en route to her first NCAA title. Smrek was also named to the All-Tournament team

Prior to her post-secondary career, Smrek played for the Defensa Volleyball Club and competed on the National Youth team from 2018-20. Wearing the Canadian Maple Leaf, Smrek won a silver at the 2018 NORCECA Championships in Honduras and appeared at the 2019 U18 World Championships in Egypt.