The Muskingum women’s volleyball team is off to a torrid 10-2 start to their 2018 season.

Even with a roster filled with underclassmen, coach Hallie Donathan has led the team to one of the best records in the Ohio Athletic Conference to this point. Even without any conference matches played this far, the Muskies are ranked third in the OAC and are traveling to the Carnegie Mellon Invitational for a chance at a few more wins.

Donathan has seen the kind of leadership and grit from her underclassmen she would normally expect from players who are much older.

A trio of underclassmen — sophomore outside hitter Brooke Fatheree, sophomore outside hitter/middle hitter Brynn Guist and freshman middle hitter Carson Miller — lead the team in kills in that order, while sophomore outside hitter Jessica Cottle has racked up over 200 digs through 12 games.

Traveling to a different arena against multiple teams is an exciting time for the Muskies, according to Donathan.

“It’s exciting for them because they get to play in a new place they haven’t been to before,” she said. “And they get to play teams they haven’t played before. So, for them, I really think it’s going to be fun.”

Muskingum holds a better record than the three teams they are slated to face this weekend, boding well for their chances to win out on the extended road trip. Following the team’s return to New Concord, there will be little time to prepare for the conference schedule that is fast approaching.

But for Donathan, the equation is simple. It’s all about readjusting the focus back to the current task at hand, which she says, starts with effective practices and the coaching staff working toward keeping the focus on what is right in front of them.

The invitational will start Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Bluffton and will conclude for the Muskies on Saturday against Kean University.