At LSU volleyball media day, coach Fran Flory said she believes senior middle blocker Melody Clark is the unsung hero of the team. “She has certainly been a stabilizing force,” Flory said. “She doesn’t get a lot of press and doesn’t get a lot of mentions. But when you look at the stat sheet, she’s the one that is stable all the time.” Clark said the recognition from Flory is flattering, but she is not the type of person to bask in the spotlight. She said the people around her are the ones who truly deserve credit. “My coaches and my team, they’re really the ones that make me become who I am,” she said. “Our passing is awesome, our setter is amazing, and they’re the ones that push us forward and help me get the kills.” Clark, who was born in New Orleans and attended Colorado Springs Christian High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., has gotten more than kills in her three years with the Tigers. During their 25-11 season and run to the NCAA Tournament in 2005, Clark was second on the team and sixth in the Southeastern Conference in blocks per game in conference play. She also ranked fifth on the team in kills and kills per game. As one of four seniors on this year’s squad, Clark is expected to help her team surpass the expectations it set last season. The Tigers were co-champions of the SEC West in 2005 and are the preseason pick by the coaches to win the division this year. The volleyball team has not only received recognition by SEC coaches but by fans as well. The Tigers drew the 10th largest crowd ever for volleyball at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during last weekend’s loss against No. 2 ranked Penn State at the Tiger Invitational. Clark’s face was seen on “Pack Pete’s Seats” posters and team schedules all over campus before last weekend’s event. She said she hopes acknowledgment of the team’s success will continue to draw fans to the PMAC. “I like the exposure because I want people to come to our games,” she said. “I could care less who is on [the posters], but I really like it because they are trying to promote our team. A lot of people don’t know we have a volleyball team here, and it’s kinda nice when you see posters. [It’s] like ‘Oh okay people kinda care and people will come out and see us.'” Clark said she believes the attendance last weekend is just a sign of things to come. “I really think we’ll break our attendance record this year,” she said. Flory said after being picked to win the SEC West, she feels like the team started the season with a target on its back. She said after its performance last weekend, she does not think the team will feel any added pressure going into this weekend’s tournament. “I don’t think it’s added pressure. I think it’s validation for us,” she said. “We know where we are are, we feel confident where we are and I think this team is eager to have the chance this weekend to prove that we do belong here.” Flory said this weekend’s Billiken Invitational in St. Louis will be the team’s toughest tournament this season. The Tigers face Texas A&M tonight at 5, No. 22 Minnesota at noon Saturday and host team St. Louis at 5 p.m. Saturday. “It’s going to be three very, very difficult matches with three different challenges,” Flory said. “But I think if we stay balanced and if we maintain the mental side, we’ll be successful.” The Tigers begin conference play on the road Sept. 15 against No. 11 Tennessee. The first conference home game is scheduled for Sept. 22 against South Carolina. The Tigers play each SEC team twice this season, once at home and once on the road, with the exception of Vanderbilt, which does not have a women’s volleyball team. Flory said there will be a lot of parity in the SEC this season. “I think some teams are gonna get beaten. I don’t see anybody going through this league undefeated this year,” she said. Clark maintains the match against Penn State will serve as a benchmark for the team throughout the season. “If we can play with Penn State, we can play with anybody,” she said.
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