A part-time player has given the 13-4 SIU volleyball team a full-time effort.

Junior outside hitter Sydney Clark comes off the bench for the Salukis. She has played in 16 of the team’s 17 games, and is fourth on the team with 103 kills.

Clark played in all 29 games last season, but started in only 10. This season she has already started in nine.

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Clark said she does not care about numbers and just wants to do whatever it takes for her team to win.

‘Our team switches it up a lot,’ Clark said. ‘Some days I will start, some days I won’t. I’ll just go wherever I am needed and do what it takes to win.’

Clark said she always gives it her all when she plays, even when she struggles.

‘ Clark, a sophomore from Evansville, Ind., averaged 2.11 kills per set. This season she is averaging 2.06.

Clark said her increased playing time is because of the energy she brings to the court.

‘I am really enthusiastic about the game, no matter how well our team is playing,’ Clark said. ‘I have a lot of energy, and I feel like I help the team in that way, even when I’m not playing.’

But energy isn’t the only thing Clark brings to the court.

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Junior outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger said Clark’s humor keeps the team loose in tense situations.

‘Sydney is probably one of the funniest people on this team; she is a riot,’ Berwanger said. ‘She brings humor; she brings excitement, and that’s very important to this team. It keeps us playing hard.’

Berwanger said when the team gets down or is losing; Clark will try to lighten the mood by bringing her humor to the huddle.

Senior middle blocker Marina Medic said Clark’s personality helps build team chemistry.

‘For us, it’s all about the team chemistry,’ Medic said. ‘She is a huge part of it; she helps bring us all together.’

Medic said Clark’s ability to block the ball is also vital to the Salukis.

‘This team doesn’t really have a lot of tall people, so we focus on being quick and jumping,’ Medic said. ‘Sydney has the craziest jump on the team. She jumps so high and gets a lot of blocks. It really helps to energize us.’

Clark has 22 blocks on the season compared to 33 last season.

Berwanger said Clark’s success comes from her hard work in practice and dedication in the weight room.

‘She is always doing extra things,’ Berwanger said. ‘She is breaking all the records in the weight room. Physically she is a beast and just a great teammate.’

Clark said her main priority is winning. She said she wants to help SIU bounce back from its two-game losing streak any way she can.

‘We are going to bring our best this weekend,’ Clark said. ‘It’s time. We have to redeem ourselves.’