National

ITA All-American Senior Spotlight: Riley Smith, USC

Arthur Kapetanakis | May 20, 2020


Though the college tennis season was cut short, the ITA still named its All-America teams for the 2020 campaign. USTA.com caught up with some of the upperclassmen on that list for a "Senior Spotlight" series that will run through the month of May. Next up is USC's Riley Smith.

 

The USC Trojans were hoping a season that started with an ITA National Team Indoors title and a unanimous No. 1 ranking in the USTA/College Tennis Top 25 poll would end with an NCAA trophy. Instead, it ended abruptly in mid-March when the spread of COVID-19 halted college sports, along with just about everything else in the U.S.

 

But before the college season was fully put in the rearview mirror, a couple of USC men earned one more accolade by being named to the ITA All-America team. Senior Riley Smith and junior Daniel Cukierman were named doubles All-Americans, with the Israeli Cukierman also earning singles All-America honors. It's the second All-America nod for Smith, who was also a doubles honoree in 2018, after his sophomore year.

 

Smith, a native of Long Beach, Calif., is one of three seniors on the Trojans squad, joining fellow Californians Brandon Holt and Rae Lan. All three have the option to return for a fifth year of competition, thanks to an NCAA exception. Should Smith come back, he will play a second season with his younger brother, Colter, who joined the USC squad as a freshman for the 2019-20 season. Smith's older brother, Tanner, also played tennis for USC and graduated in 2019.

 

Here's more from the two-time All-American, who plans to play tennis professionally after his college career.

 

USTA.com: What does it mean to you to be named an ITA All-American your senior year?

 

Riley Smith: Being named an All-American is a cherry on top for me. The biggest part of playing at USC has always been the team success. Having such a great year as a team, winning National Indoors and finishing ranked No. 1 holds more weight to me. 

 

USTA.com: How did you find out the season was going to be cut short?

 

Riley Smith: Our whole team found out from something the NCAA posted online and, moments after, our coach confirmed it in a team meeting. 

 

USTA.com: What was your initial reaction, and how has your perspective changed since then?

 

Riley Smith: Initially I was more worried about getting home and making sure my family was safe. I was very sad that our season was ended and we didn’t get to finish out the great year we were having, but I knew this was bigger than sports. 

 

USTA.com: What moments or memories stand out from your college career?

 

Riley Smith: Winning Pac-12s, playing doubles with my brother, winning National Indoors and becoming an All-American my sophomore year really stand out to me.

 

USTA.com: Have you decided if you will return for a fifth year of competition, given the NCAA's exception on eligibility? What went into your decision?

 

Riley Smith: I haven’t officially decided anything. There is a lot going into my decision, and I think time will tell what happens next and what opportunity presents itself. I want to do the best thing for me, not only for college athletics, but in life. 

 

USTA.com: What is your school planning for graduation? Will there be a virtual event?

 

Riley Smith: There was a virtual graduation and later on there will be an in-person graduation. 

 

USTA.com: What are your post-college plans?

 

Riley Smith: After college, I will play professional tennis.

 

USTA.com: How have you been spending your time at home during this pandemic?

 

Riley Smith: I have been finishing up my classes, spending time with my family and finding time to practice here and there. Overall, this has been a time to rest and think about the future. 

Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Visit the Club Kids for a Cause page
    Club Kids for a Cause
    February 28, 2024
    A recent fundraiser, the Club Kids for a Cause Winter Classic was held February 16-18, 2024, at Drake University with close to 100 participants. Read More
  • Preparing for a match brings plenty of challenges for any college tennis coach. But preparing to coach a match against your own family? That brings a whole new set of thoughts and emotions. Read More
  • Visit the 2024 College MatchDay page
    2024 College MatchDay
    February 01, 2024
    Two of the most storied rivalries in college sports will once again take center stage for College MatchDay this month at the USTA National Campus' seventh installment of the premier showcase for NCAA tennis. Read More