Laura Smith Tops 500: The Frankfort Adena Coach Reaches Legendary Status

501-98
Impressive? Yes. Outstanding? Yes. Unbelievable? Yes
After the final point was awarded to the Adena girls volleyball team on Saturday at the Worthington Kilbourne Invitational, Adena head coach Laura Smith garnered her 500th career victory in 598 tries which equates to nearly an 84% winning percentage which is unheard of. She is just shy of taking over as the winningest coach in any sport in Scioto Valley Conference history. She has flat out become a legend, and has created a perennial powerhouse in southern Ohio.
Coach Smith has showed that working diligently on building youth programs and also just creating a buzz about volleyball has created a superb program that many achieve for.
Volleyball has become a way of life for the students and the community of Frankfort. From their student support at the games to the decorating of the town for tournaments, it's clear to see that volleyball reigns supreme in this harvest community.
Their ultimate consistency each and every year is just amazing for a small school. As many know, small schools don't always have the luxury of powerful teams due to the numbers. Adena has proved that it can be done. In fact, Adena has been to the state final four 6 times, capturing back to back titles in 1975 and 1976. Adena returned to the final four in 1982, 1993 (state runner-up), and 2004 and 2006. Let us not count how many more final fours there could have been had it not been for the amazing Centerburg Trojans and head coach Lisa Boron in the Lancaster regional. Nonetheless, Coach Laura Smith has proven that she can win with class, integrity, and by doing the little things the right way.
When once criticized about the strength of schedule for Adena, Coach Smith wasted no time in answering her critics. She made her way up to Van Wert, Auglaize, and Mercer Counties where some of the best small school volleyball is played. She beefed up her schedule and did very well in doing so. Following that, Coach Smith gained even more respect from the volleyball community.
Her and her team have their eyes set on yet another Final Four appearance. It won't be easy, but Adena has just as good shot as anyone in their region. 501-98...I wouldn't want to bet against that winning percentage! Congrats Coach Smith on your accomplishments! An Ohio coaching legend!