Crime shows have long been a guilty pleasure for Americans. People generally watch them and play amateur detective from the comfort of their homes. But when Camp Verde High School senior Lily Smejkal watched them, she decided that she wanted to be more than an amateur detective.
Smejkal plans on working towards becoming a professional detective, starting her studies at either the University of Arizona or Grand Canyon University. It’s an interest that stems from watching shows like “True Crimes,” as well as reading books by people experienced in the field.
“I’ve read a bunch of books by retired FBI agents and I’m just fascinated,” she said. “I either want to work as a police detective or with an agency. I haven’t decided yet but I definitely decided that I want to study criminology and criminal justice.”
Though she eventually hopes to become Detective Smejkal, she’s already been Captain Smejkal on the volleyball team — a role that was unique to the program in recent years.
In her first four years as Camp Verde’s volleyball coach Britney Armstrong didn’t name captains. But at the onset of her fifth season in 2020, she decided to break from that. One of the captains Armstrong named was Reagan Warren, who, as a sophomore, will be a building block for the Camp Verde program. The other was Smejkal.
For the last three years, Smejkal was a part of the Cowboys volleyball program. At roughly six feet tall, she was a presence at the net throughout her senior season. Her 43 kills on offense and 15 blocks [12 of which were solo] led the team.
The 2020 season was a bumpy one. As all other teams have had to do, the Cowboys dealt with the challenges created by COVID-19. For Camp Verde, that unfortunately meant a cancellation of the season’s final three games, which they were hoping to win to earn a spot in the play-in game. Looking back on it, though, Smejkal was proud with how well her team handled the challenges that that season brought, both COVID-related and otherwise.
“This season was so different, not only because of the global pandemic but we got moved up a division,” Smejkal said if the 2A to 3A jump. “I’m so incredibly proud of my team because of our energy and optimism, and our attitudes
were so wonderful.”
And while Smejkal’s time with the Camp Verde volleyball team has come to an end, her time as a student athlete there has yet to conclude. In the spring, Smejkal will be a part of the Cowboys’ track and field team, where she participates in the long jump, triple jump and runs on the 4×100 meter relay team.
One of her goals is to improve upon her best results from last spring, something she joked shouldn’t be especially hard as last season lasted only one meet before it was halted due to COVID-19. The other is to break a school record in one of her events.
When the 2021-22 school year begins next August, Smejkal’s absence will not only be felt by the volleyball and track teams at Camp Verde. She’s also a member of the yearbook team, has made the honor roll several times, and is a student ambassador and vice president of the National Honor Society.
With her time in high school nearing its end, Smejkal hopes that people will notice not only her achievements in school but the path that was taken to reach them.
“I want them to see the accomplishments I did and the road that I took,” Smejkal said. “People look at success as an easy destination. But I want people to think, ‘She was determined, fought for what she wanted and had a good work ethic, too.’”
When Smejkal does become a detective, her success at that job will depend not only on how well she hones her detective skills but also how well she works with those around her.
That’s something that she feels her time playing volleyball for the Cowboys have helped her with.
“These three years really taught me a lot — I’m grateful for the experience,” Smejkal said. “It taught me how to work and communicate with others. The coaches were amazing. Playing was amazing and I’m very grateful to grow up in a small community where everyone knows everyone.”
