Sept. 24, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - Sometimes, last-minute improvised plans can wind up working out pretty well.

Heading into the 2010 season, head volleyball coach Dave Stever thought he had two letter-winning setters returning to anchor his offense. In 2009, current senior Carly Conlon and current junior Kourtney Clark worked together on the court to lead a 6-2 rotation, which features setters in both the front and back rows.

But then in preseason camp, just days before the team's first game, Conlon was sidelined with an injury.

So Stever had to re-work his playbook and turned to Clark to take over the role as primary setter and run a 5-1 offense instead.

And so far this season, the new gameplan has worked out pretty well.

Clark has stepped up to become a leader on the court. Through Sunday, she is averaging 7.91 assists per set, good for ninth in the Atlantic 10. During a 3-1 win over St. Francis (NY) on Sept. 17th, the Montgomery, NY native notched a career-high 48 assists and moved into the top ten in career assists all-time at La Salle.

"People are right there to step up and prove that they can be out there," Stever said of the transition this season. "That's what you want from the team."

In high school, Clark did play in a 5-1 rotation, which has its advantages in having one person always set and putting another hitter out on the court, but said it did take some adjusting to learn how to play the position on a collegiate level.

"It was a transition I wasn't expecting," Clark said. "A 5-1 is more physically demanding because I need to be on the court all the time."

A naturally outspoken player, the change has also helped Clark focus herself and the team more as well. "When you have two setters you can come off if you're having a hard time," Clark said. "Being the only setter has pushed me to mentally work through each set."

Clark has shown she can help in other areas on the court. She notched a career-high 11 kills, 44 assists and 10 digs en route to posting a triple double against Quinnipiac on Saturday.

Clark is also posting a strong service game. After leading the team in aces during both her freshman and sophomore campaigns, Clark is topping the category again this year with 19 on the season.

With a strong player on the court, Stever isn't looking to make many adjustments as the team opens its Atlantic 10 slate on the road this weekend with a game tonight against Fordham and tomorrow at Rhode Island.

"I'd have to say our philosophy right now is: If it ain't broke, don't fix it."