Former Albert Lea volleyball standout Annika Smed had one expectation entering her freshman year on the University of North Dakota volleyball team — she would have to work to earn her spot.

She did more than earn a spot in her first year. She played in every game for the Sioux and helped the team finish 24-8 on the season.

North Dakota wrapped up its season over the weekend with the Bryant National Transitions Tournament in Rhode Island. The tournament is for teams that are moving into the Divison I field. The Sioux finished the tournament 1-2, but ended with a 3-2 victory against Bryant.

There were no guarantees coming into the season that Smed would see playing time in her first year at North Dakota.

“It was definitely a shock,” Smed said about appearing in every match.

Smed was the only player on the squad that played the entire match, in the front and back row. She finished second on the team in digs with 347 and was second with 31 serving aces. She also had 258 kills on the year.

The Sioux got off to a quick start this season, winning its first 12 matches, but finished the season on a four-match skid before winning the season finale. North Dakota is in a transitional phase this season as it makes the move to Division I and as a result played a lot of teams from both Division III, Division II and Division I.

Smed initially worried about how she would fit in on the team, being a freshman and getting playing time over upperclassmen, but she knew if she worked hard her position on the team couldn’t be questioned.

“It was overwhelming at first,” she said. “I didn’t know how girls would react. I would work hard every day and let them know that I earned the spot.”

When North Dakota recruited her in high school she was told that nothing would be guaranteed. Smed was a top club volleyball player in Minnesota, playing for Mizuno Northern Lights, leading them to a third-place finish in the national AAU championships.

Taylor Bohannon played with Smed on the Northern Lights team and joined her at North Dakota. Her presence gave Smed some familiarity with her teammates, but she still had to find her place on the team.

“When I was recruited they said there was a lot of even competition,” Smed said. “There was a possibility that I could play, but I would have to work for it and prove.”

Smed has enjoyed her first year at North Dakota and looks forward to the next season.

“It’s awesome. I am so looking forward to next year,” she said. “It’s a great experience. I’m getting better. The more playing time — the stronger both mentally and physically you get.”

The Sioux return every player from this year’s squad next season.

The constant travel and school work did prove a challenge for Smed during the season as she had to find time for her studies. On a road trip she had to take a physics exam at the exact same time the class took the test while she was on the bus traveling to the next match. Her coach had to observe her as she took the exam.

She plans to major in physical therapy and attend graduate school. She’s well on her way as she entered college with 35 credits from Advanced Placement classes in high school.

Before the Bryant National Transitions Tournament the head coach of the team resigned and the team is in a period of flux before the spring season begins.

The volleyball team will join the Great West Conference next season as North Dakota continues its transition to Division I. The conference includes Houston Baptist, Texas-Pan American, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Utah Valley University, Chicago State, Cal Poly, Southern Utah University, South Dakota University and the University of California Davis.