Olivia Smola, Medford
Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net
Olivia Smola, Medford, senior
Olivia Smola doesn’t have to take backseat to anyone when it comes to competing in sports. There is something about the competition which lights a fire under her, no matter what the season.
Smola, who competes in volleyball, basketball and softball at Medford Area High School, credits her sister, Vanessa Kremsreiter, with instilling in her a passion for playing sports and for sharpening her desire to compete in multiple sports.
“She went to state twice, once each in softball and volleyball and has always been my coach and my inspiration,” Smola said of her sister, who is seven years older. “Whenever I have a question or need some information, she is there for me.”
Smola’s parents, Tom and Connie Smola, also played a role in building their youngest daughter’s passion for competing in sports.
“My mom was into riding bikes and climbing trees when she was a kid. She didn’t really play sports,” Smola said. “My dad was good at sports but his family lived outside of town and didn’t play a lot of organized sports. He was into swimming and basketball and baseball.”
Smola is on track to become an 11-time letterwinner – four each in volleyball and basketball, two in softball and one in track and field.
In volleyball, she is a four-year starter as an outside hitter and earned Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association honorable mention all-state honors as a junior when she also earned Great Northern Conference first-team honors.
A two-time All-Lumberjack Conference honorable mention selection as a sophomore and freshman, she ranks second in service aces for a season and holds the school’s career record for kills. She surpassed 1,000 in career kills in the Great Northern Conference tournament this season.
In basketball while playing at guard, she earned first team all-conference honors as a junior and sophomore and second team recognition as a freshman.
Smola earned a varsity letter in track and field as a freshman, competing in the shot put and discus. She switched to softball her junior year and lettered as a center fielder, earning second team all-conference honors.
But she isn’t a stranger to challenges, playing hockey and baseball while growing up. She began playing volleyball in fifth grade but had watched her sister play and attended many of her games.
“Volleyball is my favorite but I like basketball when it’s basketball season,” she said. “Watching my sister play volleyball really inspired me to play. I couldn’t wait to get started.
Smola said competing in multiple sports has helped maintain her interest in school.
“I don’t really like school and I wouldn’t be going and working on my school work if it wasn’t for sports,” she said. “Being in sports, I have to get good grades. That motivates me to get my work done. I want to play.
Smola admitted that she is a better game player than a practice player.
But competing in a variety of sports has taught her how to work with people, never give up and listen and learn.
“I’m a laidback person by nature, but I hate to lose,” Smola said. “You can’t teach competition, you just have to live it.”
Smola said she plans to play volleyball in college although he is not sure where what school she will attend.
“I want to work with kids either in special education or be a social services advocate,” said Smola, who advises her peers to compete in many sports as they can for as long as they can.
“When you put all your eggs in one basket, you tend to get hurt. It’s a lot more fun to be playing than practicing. You can’t teach competition. You just have to live it.”
Time out with Olivia Smola
1 – Activities: Special Olympics volunteer, youth basketball and volleyball camp coach
2 – Role model: my sister, Vanessa Kremsreiter
3 - My family also includes: my dad and mom, Todd and Connie Smola, and brother, John
4 - Favorite opponents: Tomahawk (volleyball), Northern Pines (basketball)
5 - Favorite movies: The Little Rascals; The Sandlot
6 – I wish I could meet: Jessica Alba; Kate Hudson
7 – I wish I could play: football
8 – I can’t live without: my dog, Otis, an American Eskimo and Poodle mix
9 – Dream date: Dwyane Wade
10 - Hobbies: playing football, water skiing, tubing, anything outdoors
