NATCHITOCHES -- Those who saw the Northwestern State volleyball team a season ago became accustomed to seeing Channing Burleson rise up from her outside hitter position and try to knock down a kill.
 
When the Lady Demons returned to the court in the 2016 season, Burleson had a new home – the back line of the NSU defense.
 
Burleson's transition to the libero position has produced one of the top single-season performances in NSU program history as the Lady Demons (12-16, 7-6 Southland Conference) prepare to face Central Arkansas (12-13, 6-7) at 1 p.m. Saturday inside Prather Coliseum.
 
Burleson has produced 508 total digs, a number that is tied for 10^th in the nation and places her fifth in school history. With three regular-season matches remaining, Burleson sits 20 digs away from fourth place and 31 from third place on NSU's single-season list.
 
"Last spring, we started thinking about her in that position," second-year coach Sean Kiracofe said. "Luckily she has bought into it and made it her own. She's been fantastic for us."
 
Burleson has epitomized consistency at her position, producing at least 11 digs in all 28 matches for NSU.
 
Quiet by nature, Burleson has learned plenty from quarterbacking NSU's defense from the backline.
 
"It's more of a leadership role," Burleson said. "You have to have more communication with your team. I have to really think about being louder. You have to continuously think about it and work on it."
 
Burleson said she always liked defense, and that was evident early in her freshman season. As an outside hitter, the Midland, Texas, product had a 22-dig match against Texas-Arlington on Sept. 12, 2015.
 
As a full-time libero, Burleson has equaled or topped 22 digs six times, including a career-best 30 digs in a four-set win against Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 2.
 
A season ago, it was evident Burleson had the skills to handle the position change.
 
"Channing has a very solid platform and was pretty consistent for us on serve receive," said assistant coach Alicia Roth, who works with NSU's liberos, setters and defensive specialists. "She has a very composed presence on the court that helps calm things down. She stepped up her focus on defense during spring training and has continued to progress."
 
Burleson led the nation in total digs earlier this season, using an ability to read opposing hitters and work off her team's block.
 
The numbers haven't mattered much to Burleson, who helped NSU surpass its win total from last season by the end of September.
 
"I don't pay attention to that stuff," she said. "I go out and play my best and do what I have to do to help my team. I don't focus on the numbers."
 
Despite NSU's relative youth, Burleson credited familiarity with her teammates for helping her find her way at a new position.
 
"It's easier when you're more comfortable with them," she said. "You know in what ways you can communicate with them."
 
After a couple of matches where Burleson tried to do a little too much, she settled back in and rattled off three straight 20-dig matches from Oct. 15-22.
 
"Defending out of left back instead of middle back was a big move in just knowing where she was on the court," Roth said. "It took her a little bit to figure out her range and where to be. We work on her discipline in her positioning, and she continues to get better at it."
 
NSU's success has placed it in position to earn a return trip to the Southland Conference Tournament after a one-year absence. The Lady Demons enter Saturday's match in sixth place in the conference standings but stand fifth among postseason-eligible teams.
 
With an approach built around passing and serve receive, Burleson has played a key role in that emergence.
 
"She has been our consistency for a majority of the season," Roth said. "You always know what you are going to get with Channing. She is a hard worker and very motivated to win. She's not the loudest on the team, but when she does say something, there is a purpose to it. She provides a lot of information to our team. As she figures out her new position more and more, she is able to help out her teammates, whether calling shots for her hitters or taking more court on serve receive.
 
"I'm proud of how far she has come and how dedicated she is at getting better every day. She's been a lot of fun to coach."