The St. Edward’s University women’s volleyball team is riding an 11-game winning streak and currently undefeated in conference.

The Hilltoppers are 18-5 overall and are currently first in the Heartland Conference with a 9-0 record.

“We have been working really hard to go undefeated in conference so we get home court advantage in the conference tournament,” said freshman Meredith Bard. “If we get to host the tournament on our campus, we will get the benefit of not having to travel and getting to sleep in our own beds.”

The volleyball team has dominated its competition this season winning nine of its 11 games in three or four sets.

The Hilltoppers are currently more than halfway through their season and have already beaten every team in their conference.

“The season is going great,” Bard said. “The team has bonded really well and I think that our hard work and cohesion has led to a successful season so far. This season has been the best experience I have ever had in volleyball.”

The volleyball team has most recently beaten Oklahoma Panhandle State (1-20, 0-8 HC) in three sets, 25-15, 25-13 and 25-17 on Oct. 17.

The Hilltoppers accumulated 42 kills and a .290 hitting percentage in this match. Sophomore Ashley Vander Hey led the team with 10 kills, and sophomore Lindy Luleff and Bard both contributed seven kills each.

Defensively, freshman Michelle Hundt contributed 16 digs. Hundt was named the Heartland Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 14 for the fourth time.

The Hilltoppers also beat Newman University (7-17, 3-4 HC) in four sets, 25-17, 25-22, 22-25 and 25-22 on Oct. 15.

In this match, Luleff led the team with 15 kills. Vander Hey had 14 kills and 12 digs and sophomore Courtney Trevino had 13 kills and 10 digs.

The Hilltoppers will play their next match in Odessa against the University of Texas-Permian Basin on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

“Our goals are to win conference, host and win the conference tournament and go to the NCAA regional tournament,” Bard said.