Benet junior Audrey Asleson went into training camp knowing coach Brad Baker was looking for someone to fill the second outside hitting position.

The Colorado commit didn’t expect Baker would ask her to do it.

“It was a bit surprising,” Asleson said. “But I knew who was coming back, and I had an idea that we might run a 6-2 (offense) or do what we’re doing now.”

The Redwings are still running a 5-1 offense, but Asleson isn’t directing it as the setter. Instead, sophomore Ellie Stiernagle is doing the setting while Asleson is finishing points as the No. 2 outside hitter behind senior Ava Novak.

How did Baker decide to move Asleson?

“We do a bunch of stuff in camp where everyone just kind of plays everywhere,” Baker said. “She was really good, and we asked her.

“It can’t just be us (telling her). She’s got to be willing to do it, willing to commit. Her comment to me was, ‘Coach, I just want to win. Whatever you think is best.’”

It turned out to be a good decision.

“She’s handled it great,” Baker said. “She keeps working hard at it, and you can see her getting better.”

Improvement is nothing new for Asleson. As a sophomore, she shined at setter, leading the Redwings to the Class 4A state championship match as a varsity rookie.

So she wasn’t too daunted by her new challenge.

“I said that I was up for it,” Asleson said. “I really just wanted to do anything that would help this team be successful. So we tried it out, and it’s been working.”

Indeed, the top-ranked Redwings won 15 consecutive matches until third-ranked Marist ended the streak with a 25-15, 20-25, 25-18 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory in Lisle on Tuesday.

The RedHawks (23-2, 4-0) avenged a 25-20, 25-18 loss to the Redwings (19-2, 3-1) in the Wheaton Classic final on Sept. 16.

Asleson had arguably her best performance as a hitter against Marist, spiking a team-high 11 kills. Six of them came in the second set, including the clincher.

While it didn’t match Marist star Bella Bullington, who led all players with 13 kills, 10 service points and two aces, Asleson’s performance was impressive for someone who is relatively new to hitting.

“She’s very selfless,” Stiernagle said. “She wants to do anything to win, and you can definitely see it on the court.

“She gives it her all. Even if her swing is not perfect, she comes back and rips another one, and she just won’t quit. I give her so much credit for that.”

Until this season, Asleson hadn’t played outside hitter since she was 12.

“My club trains us to be well-rounded players, like play whatever position you want, so it was an adjustment to be where I am on the court, but it’s pretty easy to pick it up,” Asleson said. “I’m definitely learning how to adjust to point scoring rather than feeding the ball.

“I definitely feel like there’s room for improvement. I’m just trying to get better every day. But the team has been really helpful and supportive.”

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Asleson has been the same for Stiernagle, who is charged with setting a state championship contender as a sophomore, just as Asleson did last season.

“She definitely lets me know in game situations a lot about blocking and stuff,” said Stiernagle, who had 30 assists against Marist. “We already knew each other in club, so we were already friends, but she’s definitely helped me.

“And with her (position switch), I wanted to totally be there for her because I want to make sure that she can feel as supported as she can. She’s playing really well.”

Despite the loss on Tuesday, Asleson said she can feel her comfort level rising along with the confidence level of her team.

“When we play big teams like this, I feel like everyone kind of brings out that competitiveness and brings out that fire,” she said. “It’s fun to play big teams.

“Obviously it’s hard to lose, but it will help us along the run to state.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.