Digging Deeper with Temple Volleyball: Rapacz & Smith

Throughout the 2015 season, two volleyball student-athletes will be featured in our "Digging Deeper" player features. This week, get to know sophomores Izzy Rapacz and Malia Smith.

How long have you been playing volleyball and how did you start?
Rapacz: I have been playing for five years now, going into my sixth. I started playing volleyball when the freshman volleyball coach came up to me and suggested I try out for the sport and even though I despised it, I tried out and made my first volleyball team.
Smith: I've been playing for nine years. I first started playing when I went to try-out for my middle school JV team.

What is your dream job?
Rapacz: To be a professional volleyball player overseas, preferably in Europe.
Smith: I want to be the Marketing Coordinator for an International cosmetic company like Loreal, MAC or Revlon

If you could play any sport (other than volleyball, of course) what would it be and why?
Rapacz: Basketball because I played that sport for four years before eventually quitting to focus on volleyball and it was my previous dream to play in the WNBA.
Smith: Gymnastics because they are so fluid with their movements even though they are so difficult.

What is your pre-match ritual?
Rapacz: Fortunately, I do not have any superstitions. I just like to put my headphones in and listen to my pre-game playlist that I made to get pumped for the game on the mental aspect.
Smith: Listen to music with my Beats with my eyes closed.

Who is the best dancer on the team?
Rapacz: Dara Peric, she never seizes to amaze us with her Serbian moves.
Smith: Dara

What is your dream vacation destination and why?
Rapacz: Barcelona, Spain because I consider myself an intermediate Spanish speaker, which would make it easy to communicate, and it was always on my bucket list to study abroad there.
Smith: Cayman Islands. The water is crystal blue and the sand is so soft.

What has been your favorite memory of playing volleyball at Temple?
Rapacz: When we beat UCF here at home and endedtheir 13-game-winning streak. The crowd was enormous, the game was intense, and we ended up victorious in the end, which is always the best..
Smith: Watching the managers play volleyball against each other.

Favorites:
Rapacz:
   Food: Mom's homemade Polish pickle soup
TV Show: Friends/Suits
Movie: Avatar
Color: Red
   Ice cream flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
   Place to be on campus:  The Bell Tower
Smith:
Food: Watermelon
TV Show: Law and Order: SVU
Movie: Beyond The Lights
Color: Purple
   Ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream
   Place to be: My room

Digging Deeper with Temple Volleyball: Rapacz & Smith

Players Mentioned

Dara Peric

Izabella Rapacz

Malia Smith

Temple University Athletics