The St. Edward’s University volleyball team remains undefeated in conference with a  9-0 record after sweeping St. Mary’s University, Texas A&M International and Arkansas-Fort Smith.

“We have a hardworking, unselfish group that care for each other and want to win,” Coach Sean Donahue said.

The Battle of the Saints reflected the name of the game as both teams aimed to take advantage of the sets. The crowd of over 700 spectators cheered on the Hilltoppers as the team pounded out numerous aces and kills, defeating St. Mary’s in three sets, 25-23, 25-15, 25-16.

Seniors Whitney Rhoden and Ashley Vander Hey contributed more than ten kills each, while sophomore Mary McNamara dished out 20 assists and junior Michelle Hundt piled in 22 digs. Both senior Courtney Trevino and junior Meredith Bard contributed four blocks for the Hilltoppers.

A couple of days after the victory, the Hilltoppers faced the Dust Devils of TAMIU, a known rival in the conference for St. Edward’s. The leading advantage was ping-ponged between the two teams, exchanging leads in two of the three sets.

The Hilltoppers allowed the Dust Devils to score nine points in the second set. They were looking to come back from an upsetting set, but the third set proved arduous as the score was tied on multiple occasions throughout the game. Nonetheless, the Hilltoppers were able to sweep the Dust Devils in three sets, 25-22, 25-9, and 25-23.

Once again, Rhoden contributed a double-double in this match, along with Trevino. Hundt also claimed 19 digs along with two service aces.

The game showcased the skills of both Rhoden and Hundt that were evident throughout the season. Vander Hey and Hundt earned the Players of the Week title for the week of Oct. 10-16.

Additionally, both players were honored with Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 26. Rhoden claimed Hitter of the Week, and Hundt claimed Libero of the Week for the second time in a row.

St. Edward’s faced Arkansas-Fort Smith in Arkansas on Oct. 15 and came away with a win in four sets, 25-21, 25-20, 16-25, and 25-21

“For every conference game, we have come out with the attitude that, as a team, we are unstoppable,” Rhoden said.

As the season continues, the team is looking forward to finishing strong in the Heartland Conference and hosting the conference tournament sometime in November.

“We have an ultimate goal of becoming ranked in our region,” Rhoden said. “We use that as motivation to continue playing hard. We really want to get to the NCAA tournament this year.”

However, as the midterm season approaches, the team takes into consideration the importance of a balance between school and volleyball.

“We need to watch for the stresses of academic loads stacking up with the stresses of the athletic load,” Coach Donahue said. “Also with the second half of conference on the horizon, we have seen all the teams, and they have seen us, so preparation is a little different.”

The Hilltoppers faced Incarnate Ward in San Antonio on Oct. 16. Results were not available as of press time.