For the first time in school history, Xavier volleyball competed as a nationally ranked team. Only 100 teams in the nation receive this honor each week by Prep Volleyball. This ranking did not come without hard work.

“When we are in the gym, we work extremely hard,” senior Olivia Richards said. “We are there to get better and push each other to be the best we can be.”

The Saints lost five seniors from last year’s state semi-finalist team and have had to change what they do on and off the court.

“I think people doubted us and thought we would not be very good this year because we lost a lot of really good players from last year,” senior Emily Jasper said.

They are ranked second in class 4A.

“It comes with a lot of pressure and it puts a target on our backs because other teams want to beat a ranked team,” Jasper said.

The team took a loss against the number one team in class 5A, Cedar Falls.

“They are probably the best team in Iowa we will play all year,” senior Keera Ball said. “This loss is only motivation to work harder and still reach our end goal.”

The Saints made school history once this year and are looking to make it a second time by being the first Xavier volleyball team to win a state championship. They have finished third at state the past two years.

“We know that being ranked will not win us a state championship. We need to put in the work if we want the outcome,” Richards said.

The Saints played at Dubuque Senior on Tuesday, October 2. They will honor their seniors before the game against Cedar Rapids Washington on Tuesday, October 9 starting at 7 p.m.