Jamie Smith calls her late commitment to play women's basketball at UNLV a meeting by "fate." Now, after her first semester in the desert and 10 games with the Rebels, it seems the partnership was a match made in heaven.

Smith, a 6-foot freshman wing from Kailua, has found continued success at the Division I level after leading 'Iolani, to last year's state championship game. Smith garnered Advertiser all-state honors after her junior and senior seasons and was inducted into the Hawai'i High School Hall of Honor in June.

On the day that Smith was to decide between attending Northern Arizona or Hawai'i, she was contacted by the UNLV coaching staff.

Kathy Olivier, a 1982 UNLV graduate, took over as the eighth head coach in the program's history April 22. Olivier spent the past 15 seasons as head coach of UCLA, where she led the Bruins to five NCAA Tournament appearances. Olivier also coached at UC Irvine and USC, where she coached three Olympians and former national player of the year Cheryl Miller.

"One of the (UNLV) coaches tried to recruit me when he was at Menlo, but they're Division III so I said no," Smith said. "But when he came to UNLV, he called me again. They said they wanted to offer me a scholarship, so I took the trip there and I liked it. It all happened so fast."

Smith has already proved valuable for the Rebels (5-5). She has started six of their 10 games, averaging 11.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Smith posted double-double performances in the last two games, including a 15-point, 10-rebound game Friday against Cal State Northridge, and 27 points with 11 boards Saturday against then-No. 22 Oklahoma State. She is third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding.

"It's really surprising," Smith said of her early success. "In high school I played in the post, but when I went to college, I needed to be taught the wing position. There's so much new stuff to learn, but our coaches have helped me a lot."

Smith said the biggest adjustment has been the speed of play and conditioning level required.

"The pace of the game is definitely quicker," Smith said. "Also, we did a lot of running before the season. It wasn't fun either, we had to run outside in 110-degree weather."

Smith is shooting just over 50 percent (40-of-79) from the field, including 40 percent (14-of-35) from behind the 3-point line this season. She also has 17 assists, 11 blocks and 11 steals this season.

"I was actually surprised at how well I was able to shoot 3-pointers," Smith said. "In high school I didn't really play out there, so I didn't shoot many 3s."

Still, Smith said it is her rebounding that has opened doors for her.

"That's why they pretty much began starting me," she said. "I wasn't a big offensive threat, I wasn't going to score a lot, but they liked my rebounding. I guess it's my instincts from high school since I always had to rebound at 'Iolani. I just had a desire to do it because I always did it. That's my goal: To grab rebounds and let the rest of my game come."

Smith has been enjoying a few days of rest and relaxation back home this week before she hops on a flight back to Las Vegas tomorrow night.

"There's nothing like home," Smith said. "I've had dinner with my family every night. It's been nice spending time with family and friends."

The Rebels conclude a five-game homestand with three games next week. UNLV plays UC Riverside Sunday, Utah State Tuesday and Fresno State Friday.

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