Anna Smrek embraced volleyball both physically and figuratively; she didn’t just grow into it. She is officially the tallest athlete to ever don a Wisconsin Badgers uniform, standing an incredible 6’9″, but her presence on the court is more than just a statistic. Smrek has developed into a tremendously powerful force in collegiate volleyball over the last four years, leading Wisconsin’s attack and defense and building a following that is expanding from Canada to Europe.
Anna was born to Sanja and Mike Smrek in Ontario, and she inherited more than just her height. During his professional basketball career, her father played with basketball greats like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan and won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, despite her basketball-loving ancestry, Anna took a different turn. Having grown up as a competitive dancer and being influenced by her Croatian grandfather, a national water polo coach, she discovered her rhythm in volleyball instead of basketball.
That choice turned out to be especially advantageous. Anna’s 2021 Final Four MVP award launched her onto the NCAA scene during her freshman year. In the national semifinal match against Louisville, she recorded a career-high 20 kills. In the championship match against Nebraska, she followed that up with seven impressive blocks. In addition to helping Wisconsin win its first-ever national championship, she also established the team’s reputation for being incredibly effective, emotionally stable, and team-first.
Anna Smrek – Profile and Career Snapshot
| Full Name | Anna Smrek |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 11, 2003 |
| Age | 21 years old |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Hometown | Welland, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6’9” (205 cm) |
| Position | Middle Blocker / Right Side Hitter |
| College | University of Wisconsin – Madison |
| Pro Club | Aras Kargo Spor Kulübü (Turkey) |
| National Team Debut | 2025, Volleyball Nations League for Team Canada |
| @annasmrek | |
| College Honors | NCAA Champion (2021), Final Four MVP, 2× All-Big Ten |
| Notable Parent | Mike Smrek, NBA Champion with Lakers |
Every season, she made noticeable progress. With more than 900 kills and 400 blocks by her senior year, she was routinely ranked among the Big Ten’s best hitters and defenders. Smrek had a very clear approach to the game, whether she was spiking through triple blocks or accurately reading a setter’s motion. Her ability to adapt mid-match demonstrated deep volleyball intelligence, her blocking was strategic rather than merely reactive, and her hitting percentage consistently ranked among the top in the country.
Anna broadened her horizons in the last few months. She made her official debut for Team Canada in senior-level international competition at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League. Smrek quickly adjusted to the increased tactical complexity and faster pace. She blocked some of the world’s most seasoned attackers and scored 20 points against Germany and 19 against Belgium. She brought a particularly creative mindset to the international court by utilizing her NCAA experience, fusing strength and poise, instinct and strategy.
Anna is notable for more reasons than her height or stature. It’s the harmony she achieves between ambition and realistic confidence. She seeks depth, whereas other athletes aim for flash. Despite being replete with highlight reels and behind-the-scenes material, her social media presence keeps an approachable yet motivated tone. With more than 58,000 Instagram followers and increasing popularity on TikTok, she engages fans by being approachable and surprisingly genuine.
She is creative and intriguing, which are qualities that go beyond court dynamics, according to her teammates. Smrek adds emotional depth to her leadership, whether she’s forming bonds with her team over road trips, experimenting with playlists, or planning in between sets. She continued to be very involved in campus life while attending college, majoring in health promotion and health equity and supporting organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Black Lives Matter. She is a particularly inspirational figure for younger athletes juggling similar dual identities because of her social awareness, which enhances her athletic reputation.
Within the volleyball landscape of Canada, Smrek’s rise comes at a perfect time. Her addition to the senior roster adds both skill and name recognition, as the national program makes significant investments in talent development and visibility. With her strong roots in her home country, her exposure to the NCAA, and her current status as a top international athlete, she embodies a new generation of Canadian athletes. Smrek is a key player in Canada’s long-term impact positioning strategy, which involves strategic partnerships and unrelenting development.
Her legacy is already established on campus. Her consistency and adaptability were frequently highlighted by coach Kelly Sheffield. She achieved her career-highs of 20 kills, 9 blocks, and 7 digs in clutch games without putting on a show. In a team sport like volleyball, where momentum frequently depends on confidence rather than chaos, that quiet dominance is incredibly dependable.
Smrek’s move to Turkey to play professionally opens up new opportunities for him both commercially and competitively. In terms of marketing and talent integration, European leagues—especially those in Turkey and Italy—are growing increasingly flexible. This stage gives athletes like Anna more exposure, financial opportunities, and the ability to compete against the top athletes outside of North America. It’s not just a personal achievement; it’s a part of a larger trend in which elite NCAA athletes are changing the dynamics of volleyball on a global scale.
Her goals after college go beyond simply blocking and spiking. She has indicated interest in coaching, athlete wellness, and sports psychology—areas that complement her educational goals and life experiences. She is providing a model for athletes who wish to develop comprehensive, long-lasting careers in sports by continuing to develop off the court.
