Morgan State University Athletics

Esther Johnson-Smith was a dominant force on the court at Morgan State, where she reached the remarkable milestone of 1,000 kills as just a sophomore, becoming the first player in program history to achieve this feat. Her exceptional play earned her second-team All-MEAC honors early in her career, along with recognition for her academic achievements as a recipient of the MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Award and a first-team Arthur Ashe Scholar selection. Johnson-Smith continued to excel, later securing first-team All-MEAC honors and a second selection to the All-MEAC Tournament team. She was also recognized as a team Co-MVP and earned another MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Award, solidifying her legacy as a true scholar-athlete and one of the most accomplished players to ever wear a Morgan State jersey.
 
Her collegiate career was nothing short of remarkable, punctuated by consistent high-level performance and numerous accolades. She burst onto the scene as MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2004, a year that also saw her lead the conference in total attacks and attempts, earning her a spot on the MEAC All-Tournament Team and a second-team All-Conference selection. The following years solidified her dominance, earning back-to-back First Team All-Conference honors in 2005 and 2006. Her consistent excellence was further validated by four MEAC Rookie of the Week selections and another All-Tournament Team nod in 2005. Even in her final year, 2007, she remained a force, earning a second-team All-Conference selection, a testament to her enduring impact on the court.
 
A true standout in Morgan State volleyball history, she rightfully earned a place on the MEAC Top 50 Players of All Time list. Her dominance is evident in the record books, where she holds two Morgan State single-season kills records from 2004 and 2005, showcasing her offensive prowess. Furthermore, she demonstrated incredible consistency and endurance by claiming three single-season attempts records in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Her defensive skills were equally impressive, as she also secured three single-season dig records during the same period. Beyond single-season achievements, she cemented her legacy by becoming the First Morgan State All-Time Career Kills Leader and the First Morgan State All-Time Career Attempts Leader. Rounding out her all-around contributions, she ranks 10th in Morgan State All-Time Career Aces and 3rd in Morgan State All-Time Career Digs, solidifying her status as one of the program's most impactful and versatile players.