Freshmen Phenomena

Freshmen Carson Clark and Austin D'Amore Have Put Up Impressive Numbers in First Year

Talented freshman are one of the keys to Anteaters' success in 2009

April 16, 2009

Irvine, Calif. -- Freshmen Carson Clark and Austin D'Amore have been a big part of UCI's success this year and have put up impressive numbers in their MPSF debut.

As a freshman, Clark leads the No. 1-ranked team with a 3.87 kills and 4.47 points per set average. He saw limited action behind All-American Jon Steller earlier in the season, but in 15 starts this season, the opposite has averaged a remarkable 4.70 kills, 5.42 points 1.45 digs, 0.85 blocks and 0.28 aces per set. Entering the week, he ranks 18th nationally in kills per set and is the only freshman ranked in the NCAA's top 20 in kill average. Clark is ranked 27th in the country in hitting percentage with a .338 mark, ranking only behind Pepperdine's Paul Carroll and Northridge's Eric Vance among non-middle blockers on the list. The redshirt freshman has recorded kills in double-digits 14 times this year, including 20 or more on seven occasions. He has led the team in kills in 12 of 26 matches this year, including 10 of his 15 starts.

D'Amore moved into the starting role in the last nine matches and currently leads the MPSF in blocks against MPSF teams-only with 1.61 average . He ranks second behind teammate Bryan Simmons in block average overall with a 1.53 mark. D'Amore has recorded six or more block assists in 11 of 19 matches this year. The middle blocker, who is averaging 1.22 kills, has a not committed a hitting error over the last three matches (13-0-28) and is averaging 2.09 blocks. He had a career-best 10 kills versus Hawaii as well as a career-high nine total blocks last week against USC.

The top-ranked Anteaters battle No. 4 Stanford Friday (Apr. 17) and Pacific Saturday to close out the regular season.