Keyana Smith played college softball at Cosumnes River College and Morgan State University. Photo courtesy of Keyana Smith

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Cordova native and former Lady Lancers' softball standout Keyana Smith is excited to come back to where it all began. 

Smith, 42, currently resides in Texas and is the director of Athletic Development of Student Athletes and Eligibility at Southern Methodist University.

Although her collegiate and professional pursuits took her elsewhere, Smith has not forgotten where she came from. So upon receiving the news that she was selected for induction into the Rancho Cordova Sports Hall of Fame this September, Smith said she was ecstatic. 

"I was shocked," Smith said. "I didn't really know how to react. Especially since now I live in Dallas, it was nice to be recognized by my hometown now that work has taken me away. It was nice to feel like a part of where I grew up and spent so many years."

Smith, a 2001 graduate of Cordova High School, was a four-year varsity star who excelled as a pitcher/infielder. Her deadly fastball led to multiple All-League honors and Smith helped guide the Lady Lancers to the Sac Joaquin Section Division II playoffs in 2000.

A Rancho Cordova native, Keyana Smith is looking forward to returning to her hometown. Photo courtesy of Keyana Smith

She played collegiately at Cosumnes River College and Morgan State before returning to her roots as the head coach of the Lady Lancers from 2007 to 2008. Although her journey now finds her in Texas, Smith is looking forward to reuniting with former teammates during the upcoming induction ceremony, including fellow inductee Jacquelyn Morrison. 

"I think it's going to be nice," Smith said. "Jackie (Morrison) actually reached out to me and congratulated me. I told her it's going to be great since I hadn't seen her since high school since I went to school out of state and have worked out of state for most of my adult career. Some of my teammates I haven't seen since we played together, so it will be nice to reunite with the people that we won so many games with and made so many memories."

The Cordova Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at https://form.jotform.com/cordovacouncil/rcaa-reception-tickets-2025.