Former Placer volleyball, track star Sipherd-Smith to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Karly Sipherd-Smith (Placer Class of 2004) has always been competitive. She proved it as a youngster tackling boys in pickup football scrums at Hillmen football halftimes. And she proved it blocking shots from Olympic volleyball players in college. For her volleyball and track career at Placer and her all-conference career at the University of Nevada, Reno, she will be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame on April 30 in a ceremony in the school's auditorium. As a youngster during a football halftime at LeFebvre Stadium, she was the only girl in the random group of rough-housing boys who took over the field. She caught up with one boy running for his imaginary touchdown and tackled him. The whole stadium cheered. "I had this weird drive," she admits. "I felt I could compete with anybody." Even against Stanford volleyball Olympian Ogonna Nnamani in Sipherd-Smith's first college experience. Playing for UNR, Sipherd-Smith found herself facing the recently returned Olympian and blocking some of her shots. "It was a baptism by fire," Sipherd-Smith said. She used that experience in four successful seasons at UNR, being named to the Western Athletic Conference All-Freshman team. She made second-team all-league as a sophomore and earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior. According to the Wolf Pack athletic website, Sipherd-Smith is regarded as one of the program's top blockers and holds the school record for blocks and assists. In 2019, she was named to the UNR Hall of Fame. "It was the most surprising thing," she says of the honor, "and one of the coolest experiences of my life." At Placer, Sipherd-Smith competed in volleyball and track. As a freshman, she was brought up to the varsity team for volleyball playoffs and then made her mark as a leader the next three seasons. Playing in the tough Sierra Foothill League, Sipherd-Smith earned honorable mention as a sophomore and emerged as the league's Most Valuable Player in her junior year. She finished her career as an all-leaguer as a senior and earned a full-ride scholarship to UNR. She holds Placer volleyball records for most kills in a season (306) and most blocks (196). Hillmen track coach Rick Foley recognized Sipherd-Smith's athletic talent and encouraged her to join the track and field team. He knew what he was doing. Sipherd-Smith broke the school's 100-meter record on her first try. She also holds the school high jump record. "Foley was a good coach," she said. "He was all about trying to find your potential. He was a fun and energized guy who utilized his talent well." Indeed, besides the 100-meter and high jump events, the coach had Sipherd-Smith doing the discuss, 4x100 relay, and Sipherd-Smith says, "Just about any event he wanted me to run to gain points for the team." She was born to compete for Placer. Parents Kevin Sipherd and Sara Westerman are Placer grads. Her father played for the 1977 state-championship Hillmen football team, which was inducted into the Placer Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Sipherd-Smith praised her parents for the support they gave during her playing years. "My parents were big supporters, attending every game at high school and home games UNR," she said. They often traveled out of state to follow her career. Athletics has played a huge role in her life. "Playing sports brings me joy and I'm happy and proud to represent the community, my school, my parents and myself," Sipherd-Smith said. Currently, Sipherd-Smith is "living the dream," serving as head coach of the girls varsity volleyball team at Placer. "It's my chance to give back to the school and the community." Before replacing former head coach Jen Wright after 15 seasons, Sipherd-Smith served as her assistant. "It was a blast working with her," Sipherd-Smith said, admiring Wright's longevity. "I had three different coaches in my four years of playing at Placer." As a coach, she encourages players to take an aggressive attitude. "I teach them not to hold back, to rip the ball, be aggressive," much as she herself competed. "Coaching is so much more than just the sport. I love teaching lessons that go beyond the game: Don't be afraid, don't quit, keep trying. These attitudes can be applied to life as well. Sport teaches you how to persevere and to have a great attitude." Sipherd-Smith moved back to Auburn after four years coaching in Utah, where she served as varsity girls volleyball coach at two high schools. In three of those four years, she took her teams to the state competition. Her husband, Craig Smith, knew she had family in Auburn and when a manager position opened at the Roseville Costco, the family moved back to her hometown. The couple has two sons - Liam, 7, and Klay, 4, and a daughter, Jane, 1. Sipherd-Smith says she would love to land a teaching job at Placer and continue coaching. Her competitive nature will probably make that dream come true. The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in the Placer High School Auditorium on April 30. A meet-and-greet reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7. Tickets for the reception cost $25 until April 15 and $35 after, and are available online at placerathletichof.bpt.me. The 7 p.m. ceremony is free of charge to the public.