Prior to her time at Hill, Smith served as the Head Volleyball coach at Blinn College from 1998-2003, qualifying for the NJCAA Region XIV Tournament every season during her tenure.

Over the past three seasons, Smith has coached eight all-conference players, ten all-region players, and in 2002, led Blinn College to a runner-up finish in the District G Region XIV National Qualifier Tournament.

Smith also served as an assistant volleyball coach at Lee College from 1994-95, and at Francis Marion University in 1993. Smith's first head coaching experience came at the club level, as she guided the Lake Houston Club squad in 1994-95, the Texas A&M Club squad in 1996, and the Hurricane Club Volleyball Association team in 1996-97.

Smith played two years at Lee College before transferring to Francis Marion, where she graduated in 1994 with a bachelor of science degree in political science.