Sitting out a season is tough for any athlete. The thought of being on the bench because of an injury or academics can eat at a player’s confidence and skill level.

For junior guard Charlotte Marshall, who sat out her sophomore season with a shoulder injury, it was a blessing in disguise.

“It’s helped me as a person on the court and off the court,” she said. “I’ve grown a lot. I understand what Lady Topper basketball is about.”

It has been a journey for Marshall in her four years at Western.

The Shelbyville native came to the Hill before the 2003-04 season as a second-team all-state selection out of Shelby County High School.

She was voted eighth region player of the year as a senior after averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals per game.

In her first season on the Hill, Marshall played in 28 games with 10 starts. She recorded a double-double in her first collegiate game with 14 points and 13 rebounds in the Women’s Preseason National Invitation Tournament against Rhode Island.

In December of that season, she was sidelined with a shoulder injury, but returned after missing six games.

Marshall decided to have surgery on the same shoulder before her sophomore season, taking a medical redshirt and gaining an extra year of playing eligibility.

Coach Mary Taylor Cowles said Marshall’s leadership qualities have improved dramatically in her time as a Lady Topper.

“We saw that she would be a match-up problem for people,” she said. “But I don’t think I really recognized her leadership abilities as strongly as I did until she got here that very first season.”

When Marshall returned last season, she came back with a renewed outlook both on and off the court.

She started 31 of the team’s 34 games and ranked third on the team in both scoring and rebounding with eight points and five boards per game.

Marshall led the team in three pointers made and attempted, hitting 43 of 134 during the season. She made 32 percent of her three-point attempts, good for second on the team.

With power forward being her natural position, Marshall’s ability to make the outside shot makes her a match-up problem.

“The main thing is to help my team win,” she said. “… Whatever it is that I have to do to help my team win, I’m going to do. If it’s playing a guard position or if it’s playing a forward position, I’m going to take on the task.”

Cowles agreed, citing the Lady Toppers’ 10-point victory over Penn State on Nov. 24 as an example.

Cowles moved Marshall to the small forward position in order to insert freshman forward Alicia Bunton into the starting line-up. This move allowed the Lady Toppers to play a bigger starting five against a Penn State team that featured four starters 6-feet or taller.

“It really helps our basketball team that she is able to swing between positions,” Cowles said.

Marshall has shown the capability to move into the post during her career, recording double-figure rebounds twice in both her freshman and sophomore years.

This season, Marshall averages six rebounds per game, three less than the team leader, junior forward Crystal Kelly.

“The whole team looks up to her,” Kelly said. “I’ve known her for so long and played against her in high school, and she has all the qualities that a leader should have.”

Marshall has shown that she can also turn her work in the pivot into points, leading the team with an 86 percent average from the free-throw line.

Her 10 points a game make her the third best scorer on the team behind Kelly (22 points per game) and sophomore forward Dominique Duck (13).

Marshall has stepped up her time on the floor as well, leading the team with an average of 34 minutes per game.

From a leadership standpoint, Marshall said she shares the role with the three seniors on the team.

“I just feel like I’m more of a natural born leader,” she said. “Coach Cowles tells me that all the time, I’ve told it to my family, my mother preaches it to me. Leadership comes natural to some people, and I feel that it does.”

Lady Toppers win Sun Belt opener

The Lady Toppers (5-2) opened Sun Belt Conference play with an 85-74 victory at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

The meeting was the first conference meeting between the two schools.

Kelly led all players in both scoring and rebounding, posting 28 points and 11 rebounds. She finished the game 12-for-13 from the free throw line.

Despite having just six Lady Toppers score, five reached double figures.

Reach David Harten at sports@wkuherald.com.