(Courtesy of SMU Athletics)
Sidney Stewart is a senior libero for the SMU girls’ volleyball team. The experienced athlete is the all-time career digs leader at SMU, the only Mustang to ever record 2,000 career digs and only the fourth player to reach that milestone in Conference USA.
Although Stewart is making impressive marks today, there has been other Stewarts to carry the Mustang pride before hand. Her father, Todd Stewart, played football at SMU while her mother Lisa, ran track at Rice. While both parents can argue which side Sidney’s talent derived from, one thing is definite — she is carrying the Mustang tradition strong today.
When asked what being the all-time digs leader at SMU meant to her she said, “It’s pretty crazy I didn’t think I was going to play this position when I got here, so it is pretty cool that I was able to adjust and really get into it. It is a great honor to have.”
Stewart was a hitter before she came to SMU, but with her diligence and solid training she has mastered a new position and helped the defense become the strength of the team.
Last season the squad had players honored eight different times as Conference USA players of the week — Stewart earned the award four of those eight times.
When asked what she attributes her success on the court to last season she said, “We had a really good defensive team that was always on point and executed well, and when you have teammates that are playing well it makes playing fun and it makes it easy to play well too.”
Stewart also emphasized how great of a time she has had with all of her teammates. This season she has not let up on the court, managing to give her 110 percent effort every match.
Among the many games in her SMU volleyball career, there is one game that leaves a residing mark.
“Alabama,” she said. “We beat them in five sets and it was a really intense game, so it was great to come out on top.”
In another game against the Crimson Tide, Stewart set a school record with 42 digs, one away from the Conference USA record of 43.
Her favorite part of the team-built sport? The Mustang camaraderie.
“We [My teammates and I] have a lot of great times together and it’s like a little family. I enjoy being with these people and it has been a great opportunity to represent myself and SMU doing the thing I love for four years.”
Stewart clearly enjoys her teammates and has acquired the role of a leader on the team. For leadership examples, a certain athlete comes to her mind.
“My favorite professional athlete is Drew Brees. I admire him because he is a great competitor and a really good person.”
