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  EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Sinjin Smith leaves it all on the beach in his final pro tournament at Manhattan Beach on Saturday.

By Scott Schultz

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Sinjin Smith, the captain of the first undefeated UCLA volleyball team in 1979 and beach volleyball’s first international superstar, officially retired from the sport Saturday after being eliminated from the Manhattan Beach Open.

The 44-year-old Smith, who represented the United States in the 1996 Summer Olympics in beach volleyball, was also a member of the 1980 US Olympic team which boycotted the Moscow games.

“All of us who play beach volleyball for a living have to be grateful for all Sinjin Smith has done over the last 25 years,” two-time Olympic beach volleyball player and former Bruin Holly McPeak said.

"The rest of my body feels good, but my knee is a constant worry." Sinjin Smith Retired volleyball player

He leaves the game with 139 tournament victories, second only to former Bruin teammate Karch Kirali’s 143.

Smith blamed his chronic right knee soreness for forcing his retirement.

“The rest of my body feels good, but my knee is a constant worry,” Smith said. “Otherwise, I would still be out there.”

BEACH LEGEND'S LEGACY Smith has set the standard for all future volleyball players. SOURCE: UCLA Sports Info Original graphic by SEAN WATERS/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Web adaptation by MIKE OUYANG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Smith referred to his Olympic experience and his contribution toward expanding the popularity of the sport as his career highlights. However, Smith has no regrets about leaving the game.

“I played five games yesterday and was competitive against the top people, and that felt nice for my last competition,” he said.

Smith hopes to stay involved with the Association of Volleyball Professionals, the official beach volleyball league, as either an announcer or as a spokesman.

“I have all the confidence in the world that the AVP tour will work its way back to the level of its hey-day (1980s) and beyond,” he said. “And I’ll do whatever’s in my capacity to help.”

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