SIOUX CITY (KTIV) -- -
After the first week of the season, the Bishop Heelan volleyball team was just 5-4 and on a two match losing streak. The number-1 ranked team in Class 4A has been on a roll since then and haven't lost in nearly a month.
After a rough first week, which included losses against Nebraska volleyball powerhouses Omaha Gross and Omaha Marian at the Bellevue Tournament and back-to-back losses to second-ranked Western Christian, the Bishop Heelan Crusaders were teetering above .500.
"Being number one, doesn't mean you're going to be number one at the end of the season," said Bishop Heelan senior Katelynn Poss. "You gotta prove it. You have to earn it, that you're number one."
And in the infancy a new offense there was no sign of panic.
"We're running a 6-2 this year because one of the advantages we have on our team is that we have a lot of height this year," said Bishop Heelan head coach Mary Miller. "We're running a two-setter system which allows us to run six hitters and a really nice block. We just knew that we had to keep sticking to the basics and keep practicing well and progressing and that's what we've been doing. "
Since those losses to Western Christian on September 8th, Heelan has won 17 straight games in dominating fashion. They've only dropped three of their past 41 sets, improving to 22-4 over that span. They've done it without ever playing a match on their home court.
"At first it was kind of a roller coaster," said Bishop Heelan senior Megan McCarthy. "We were up and down and making stupid mistakes but, after a while it just, it all meshed together and now we're kind of unstoppable right now."
And the team has welcomed the road warrior mentality.
"Not having home games is really a positive for us," added Poss. "State's not at home, so we'll be used to it."
In fact, Bishop Heelan only has one home match all season. That's Thursday night against Sioux City East.
"Seniors last time playing here. We just want to go out and have some fun," said Poss.
The Crusaders will have their "Pack The Pit" night on Thursday. The match against East begins at 7:30.
The top-ranked Bishop Heelan volleyball team has won 17 straight matches and hasn't lost in nearly a month.
