CLARION — Carlie Bieranowski has a sore knee.

That’s nothing compared to the pain the Freeport graduate and her Clarion University volleyball teammates have been inflicting on their opposition this season.

The Golden Eagles enter play this weekend with a 14-0 record, the program’s best start since it was 15-0 in 1973.

Bieranowski is a junior outside hitter for Clarion “and has been a big part of our success,” coach Jennifer Mills said.

Enduring some swelling in a knee of late, Bieranowski has been limited in practice and has been spelled in recent matches. But she remains on the court on a regular basis.

“She hasn’t been 100 percent, but she can play,” Mills said. “There’s no ligament tear or anything like that ... it might just be wearing on the joint. Carlie’s been jumping around in our gym for four years now.

“We’re just watching how much physical stress we put her through right now.”

Bieranowski isn’t sure what’s going on with her knee. She’s just playing through it.

“I keep retaining fluid there,” she said. “It’s no big deal. I don’t practice as much as I’d like, that’s all.

“We’ve got five of seven starters back from last year, when we reached the second round of regionals. This year, we’re shooting for the Elite Eight and I want to do my part.”

The Golden Eagles have made four straight NCAA Division II playoff appearances. The program is 159-61 — a .770 winning percentage — in Mills’ seven years as head coach.

Despite the knee ailment, Bieranowski ranks second on the team with 123 kills, third with 134 points, fourth with 13 blocks and fifth with 69 digs.

“Her overall work ethic has enabled her to succeed here,” Mills said. “Carlie is a very physical player. She hits the ball hard and she can read the play.”

The latter ability has come into play for Bieranowski since the knee problem has cost her some speed.

“I have enough experience now where I can read what the hitters are doing and where the block is going,” she said. “That’s definitely helped me compensate.

“I still work in practice to improve skill-wise. I definitely haven’t peaked yet.”

Bieranowski was a two-time all-state player at Freeport and set the school record for kills there. She graduated at the top of her class and is majoring in rehab sciences.

Upon graduation from Clarion, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

During her senior season, Bieranowski helped the Yellowjackets to a 20-0 regular season record, runner-up finish in the WPIAL and fifth place in the state.

“She came from a great program, but a small high school,” Mills said. “She had to adjust to the speed of the game here.

“We’re very picky technically here. We make a lot of changes in our players’ games and that takes patience on their part.

“Even with her high school success, Carlie was very receptive to our coaching. She didn’t question anything. She bought into it and she’s reaping the benefits of changing technique,” the coach added.

Bieranowski has also been passing along her experiences to younger players on the team.

“We’ve got a few who have come from smaller schools and I’ve been there, done that,” Bieranowski said. “If I’m able to help them along in the transition, I try to do that.

“This is my fourth year in the program here. My red-shirt year helped me adjust. Now I’m trying to be more of a leader, being more vocal on the court.”

So far this year, she’s had plenty to shout about.