Smoljan joined the Cardinals coaching staff after an illustrious playing career with UIW.
For the 2015-16 season, Smoljan bounced back from an injury in 2014-15 and was the Cardinals' top player. He finished with a terrific record of 4-1 in conference and an overall record of 16-13 in singles. In doubles, he paired up with Leonard Ivic and Ryan Hoverson for an overall record of 8-12. His 47 singles wins put him at sixth all-time in career singles victories. He earned Southland Conference second team honors at #1 singles, and was also named to the conference's All-Academic second team.
He earned Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and first team All-Southland honors over the 2013-14 season. He led the team with a 22-7 singles record and advanced to the semifinals of the Islanders Open, then won the second flight at the Ron Wesbrooks Invitational hosted by Lamar. Smoljan played at No. 3 and posted a 10-match win streak and closed the season by winning 14-of-16 matches. He was a perfect 6-0 in conference play. Smoljan also played at No. 1 doubles for the Cardinals and was 11-8 in dual match play. He was 11-12 overall in doubles action and was named to the SLC Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Smoljan played at No. 3 singles and No. 3 doubles at Oklahoma Christian in 2012-13. He went 6-4 in singles and 9-2 in doubles, paired with Paulo Roessle. Smoljan scored a critical singles point as OC won 5-4 at No. 3 Lynn (Fla.) in what proved to be the program’s final match, rallying from a set down to prevail 0-6, 7-6, 6-3. He helped the Eagles post a 9-2 record and rise to No. 9 in the NCAA Division II rankings before program was suspended. He reached the singles quarterfinals and the doubles semifinals in the ITA Division II South Central Regionals during the fall campaign. He red-shirted his first year at OCU.
Smoljan attended Srednja Skola Dr. Fra Slavka Barbarica in Citluk. He played in a handful of Futures events in Europe as a junior play.
Smoljan is the son of Ivan and Nevenka Smoljan and majored in business administration. He was born October 5, 1991 and has three sisters.
