University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Q&A with Volleyball's Tia Jade Smith, delivered by RoadRunnerApp.com
5/20/2020 3:45:00 PM | Volleyball
Louisiana Athletics has teamed up with RoadRunnerApp.com to offer a new series on RaginCajuns.com in which student-athletes share details on how they've adjusted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offer insight into their personal lives.
In this Q&A feature article, you will "Get to Kneaux" volleyball's Tia Jade Smith. She is coming off a breakout sophomore season in which she led the Ragin' Cajuns in blocks. Given that she is a fan of seafood, we are sure the Acadiana lifestyle is to her liking. Tia Jade enters her junior season in fall 2020.
What has been your daily routine during the COVID-19 quarantine?
TJS: Now that the semester is complete:
TJS: The first priority is to stay healthy and make sure that we are okay. Also, she has urged us to stay connected with the team and the coaching staff so that we can continue improving our team culture, even though we are far apart.
How have you and your teammates stuck together remotely during this challenging time period?
TJS: We exchange pictures of our daily athletic activities in our group message. I normally pick a random teammate to check in on bi-weekly.
Take us back to when you decided to come to the University and become a Ragin' Cajun. What about the school helped you make that decision?
TJS: Actually, when I arrived at E.K Long, Sydney "Dig" Davis was there waiting for me with a huge smile on her face … and that set the tone for my whole visit. I felt very welcome and loved the campus as soon as I got out the car.
What are your plans after your academic and athletic career at Louisiana is done?
TSJ: I would like to go to law school to become a family and criminal defense lawyer. I may get my masters before I apply to law school, though.
What is your earliest sports memory?
TSJ: Playing rec volleyball in fifth grade. My team was no good and we lost every game (lol), but we had fun and It made me want to play somewhere more seriously and actually want to win.
Growing up, your sports hero was who? And why?
TJS: LeBron James. He is the ultimate GOAT. He is helping his community and betters his family and teammates, all while having an incredible work ethic.
An important question: what is your favorite food?
TJS: I am always down for a good seafood boil or Wingstop.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
In this Q&A feature article, you will "Get to Kneaux" volleyball's Tia Jade Smith. She is coming off a breakout sophomore season in which she led the Ragin' Cajuns in blocks. Given that she is a fan of seafood, we are sure the Acadiana lifestyle is to her liking. Tia Jade enters her junior season in fall 2020.
What has been your daily routine during the COVID-19 quarantine?
TJS: Now that the semester is complete:
- 9-10:30 a.m. – wake up and eat breakfast
- 11-1 p.m. – talk to coaches and/or check-in with a teammate(s)
- 2:30 p.m. – lunch
- 3:30 p.m. – cleaning up or organizing something
- 6 p.m. – get a James Lang workout in
- 8 p.m. – dinner and chill time
TJS: The first priority is to stay healthy and make sure that we are okay. Also, she has urged us to stay connected with the team and the coaching staff so that we can continue improving our team culture, even though we are far apart.
How have you and your teammates stuck together remotely during this challenging time period?
TJS: We exchange pictures of our daily athletic activities in our group message. I normally pick a random teammate to check in on bi-weekly.
Take us back to when you decided to come to the University and become a Ragin' Cajun. What about the school helped you make that decision?
TJS: Actually, when I arrived at E.K Long, Sydney "Dig" Davis was there waiting for me with a huge smile on her face … and that set the tone for my whole visit. I felt very welcome and loved the campus as soon as I got out the car.
What are your plans after your academic and athletic career at Louisiana is done?
TSJ: I would like to go to law school to become a family and criminal defense lawyer. I may get my masters before I apply to law school, though.
What is your earliest sports memory?
TSJ: Playing rec volleyball in fifth grade. My team was no good and we lost every game (lol), but we had fun and It made me want to play somewhere more seriously and actually want to win.
Growing up, your sports hero was who? And why?
TJS: LeBron James. He is the ultimate GOAT. He is helping his community and betters his family and teammates, all while having an incredible work ethic.
An important question: what is your favorite food?
TJS: I am always down for a good seafood boil or Wingstop.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballKristi Gray Media Availability (Oct 10, 2025)
Monday, November 10
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Nov 3, 2025)
Monday, November 03
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
