Posted at: 09/19/2012 10:15 PM
Updated at: 09/19/2012 10:41 PM

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Kayla Smith

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- It's not often players are asked to change their role senior year, but LeRoy-Ostrander's Kayla Smith has pulled it off.

"I've moved her position, as of last week," Cardinals coach Kelly May said. "We've had some injuries and team changes, so she's been willing to work with me."

"I felt like I really stepped up and did what I had to do," Smith said.

Smith had been playing left outside hitter, but May moved her to the right side.

"I switched her in the middle of the Hayfield Tournament, and she adjusted really quick," May said.

"It wasn't too hard, because I already knew the spots, but it was a little different hitting-wise, because I was hitting a different way," Smith said.

Smith responded with what May called her best week of play this year.

"She really stepped up her blocking.  Against Houston, she solo stuff-blocked their best hitter at least three times in the match, and it was really a game-changer," May said.

The Cardinals are off to a 7-2 start this year, thanks to Smith and their four other seniors.

"We're all very close, and we work really hard together.  I think we show other girls on the team how to be a team," Smith said.