As a leading scorer, Downingtown East graduate Bella Smuda is a major reason why Liberty University reached its first NCAA Tournament since 2018, writes Brooke Ackerman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The senior has spent all five seasons of her collegiate career with the team. This year, she helped lead the Flames to a Conference USA tournament title, and now on an 11-game winning streak into their 18th NCAA Tournament.
“It’s such an awesome opportunity,” said Smuda. “The fact that we even get to be here is so awesome, just because there’s so many teams whose seasons are already over.”
Smuda, who was first team all-Conference USA and on the all-defensive team, is averaging 11.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.
“She’s a centerpiece,” said Liberty head coach Carey Green. “She’s a centerpiece on the table. You sit down, you come in, you look at the table, but your eyes go to the centerpiece, and that’s what she is.”
Now with her final season ending, Smuda wants to give her best for the team one final time.
“I just love the school,” she said. “They poured so much into me, and I want to do this with them.”
Read more about Bella Smuda and her Liberty University soccer team in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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