ERIE — Logical and level-headed.

Those are the words written by teammates to describe Becky Smith on the Mercyhurst College women’s volleyball senior legacy wall.

The Butler graduate and four-year Laker starter helped lay a foundation, developed into one of the best blockers in the program’s history and set herself up for a career in physical therapy along the way.

“Thanks to Becky and the other seniors, this program should be set for success for years to come,” Lakers volleyball coach Ryan Hannon said.

Mercyhurst turned around a 14-18 record of a year ago by going 25-10 this season, the program’s highest win total since 1993. The Lakers were 3-11 in PSAC play last year, 12-7 this year.

The Lakers are headed to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time since 2009. They will face PSAC rival Gannon Nov. 29 at Wheeling Jesuit University.

“We had more experience this year with seven seniors,” the 6-foot-2 Smith said. “We stepped up our preparation since last spring.

“We had two weight room workouts a week, starting at 6 a.m. I’m a lot stronger than I’ve ever been. I’m not a morning person, so getting up that early was hard, but we had to change something.

“Those 6 a.m. workouts were voluntary, but every single player on the team showed up. That shows how tightly knit this group is,” Smith added.

Mercyhurst has been led up front all year by the tandem of Smith and fellow senior Becky Lausch. Lausch has 325 kills this season, Smith 246. Smith has 127 blocks, Lausch 95.

“We go up after a lot of balls together because we play side by side,” Smith said. “When we’d combine for a block or something, our (public address) announcer would say ‘Becky squared.’ We had a lot of fun with that.”

Hannon described the pair as complementary players.

“Becky Lausch is more dynamic, more noticeable when things are going good,” the coach said. “Becky Smith is more solid, steady, always dependable. You know what you’re going to get from her.”

Smith has recorded 793 kills in her collegiate career. She ranks third on Mercyhurst’s all-time list with 359 blocks and 307 assists.

“When waves are going on around her — and we’ve had some tidal waves this year — Becky steadies the ship,” Hannon said. “The team looks to her to do that.”

Smith said she is most proud of her numbers — particularly kills and blocks — going up each year. She was eighth in the PSAC in service aces with 38 as a sophomore.

“The numbers motivate me. They give me something to work towards,” she said. “When the blocks and kills go up, it means I’m doing better and the team is doing better.”

Mercyhurst made the PSAC playoffs for the first time in four years this season. The Lakers also reeled off winning streaks of 12 and 11 games, including 12-0 to begin the season.

“That shows where our off-season work took us,” Smith said.

Hannon agreed.

“Our seniors were huge this year,” the coach said. “They determined the way they wanted to go out and they did it.”

Smith is majoring in pre-physical therapy and is carrying a 3.5 grade point average. She has been accepted at Gannon University, where she will pursue her doctorate in physical therapy over the next three years.

And say goodbye to volleyball.

“It will be strange not playing anymore, but it’s time to move on to my next stage in life,” Smith said. “My experience here has been awesome. Getting to play for all four years, being part of a major turnaround on the court, using a hard work ethic to help me in my classes as well ... I feel very appreciative, very fortunate.

“To play every year and make an impact every year is something I’ll always remember.”