Smuda Voted to VaSID 1st Team All-State Squad
7/1/2025 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Following her memorable final season in a Liberty uniform, Bella Smuda has earned a spot on the 2024-25 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division Women's Basketball first team all-state squad.
Smuda's honor marks the third time in the past four seasons a Liberty center has been a VaSID first team all-state selection. Former teammate Mya Berkman garnered this accolade in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Smuda played a leading role in Liberty's first CUSA title and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017-18. She paced the Lady Flames in scoring (11.9 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg), blocked shots (1.9 bpg, No. 37 nationally), field goal percentage (55.6, No. 26 nationally) and double-doubles (8).
A redshirt senior from Exton, Pa., Smuda was voted CUSA Tournament MVP after recording a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds) during the championship game victory over Middle Tennessee. She also made the first team All-CUSA squad, CUSA All-Defensive Team and CUSA All-Tournament Team.
Smuda closed out her career in style, posting 14 points and 12 rebounds during the Lady Flames' narrow 79-78 loss at Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. She became Liberty's first player to record a double-double during March Madness since Ashley Rininger in 2015 and the fourth Lady Flame ever to grab 1,000 career boards.
Smuda appeared in a program-record 160 games during her five seasons as a Lady Flame. She also finished among Liberty's all-time leaders for blocked shots (No. 2, 253), defensive rebounds (No. 2, 647), rebounds (No. 4, 1,001), field goals made (No. 5, 645), field goal percentage (No. 5, 55.8), double-doubles (No. 5, 28) and points (No. 6, 1,544).
Smuda's honor marks the third time in the past four seasons a Liberty center has been a VaSID first team all-state selection. Former teammate Mya Berkman garnered this accolade in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Smuda played a leading role in Liberty's first CUSA title and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017-18. She paced the Lady Flames in scoring (11.9 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg), blocked shots (1.9 bpg, No. 37 nationally), field goal percentage (55.6, No. 26 nationally) and double-doubles (8).
A redshirt senior from Exton, Pa., Smuda was voted CUSA Tournament MVP after recording a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds) during the championship game victory over Middle Tennessee. She also made the first team All-CUSA squad, CUSA All-Defensive Team and CUSA All-Tournament Team.
Smuda closed out her career in style, posting 14 points and 12 rebounds during the Lady Flames' narrow 79-78 loss at Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. She became Liberty's first player to record a double-double during March Madness since Ashley Rininger in 2015 and the fourth Lady Flame ever to grab 1,000 career boards.
Smuda appeared in a program-record 160 games during her five seasons as a Lady Flame. She also finished among Liberty's all-time leaders for blocked shots (No. 2, 253), defensive rebounds (No. 2, 647), rebounds (No. 4, 1,001), field goals made (No. 5, 645), field goal percentage (No. 5, 55.8), double-doubles (No. 5, 28) and points (No. 6, 1,544).
Players Mentioned
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