They’re never more together than during the contests.

“It’s the ultimate team game,’’ said fourth-year coach Todd Kirby. His players get it.

“We worked hard over the summer, but I didn’t think we’d be undefeated,’’ said the 5-foot-8 Hanley, who sets the attack for the squad. “It’s pretty amazing.’’

Archambault, a 5-foot-6 defensive specialist, has a different take. “I thought it was possible,’’ she said. “In the offseason, we played four, five times a week. We worked hard to get where we are.’’

The 5-7 Anketell wanted to play field hockey, but Marian does not field a team, so she chose volleyball. All three played on the junior varsity as freshmen. “We were learning how to play,’’ said Hanley. “We’ve grown so much. It’s fun to see.’’

“We were pretty good, that first year,’’ said Anketell. “I didn’t know anything about volleyball. It’s more intense than I thought.’’ But it’s right up in her alley. “I’m very competitive.’’

Hanley loved playing so much, she had a little secret. At the JV level, where the matches are the best of three games, “I was hoping the other team would win one game so we could keep playing,’’ said Anketell.

“She’s tough as nails,’’ said Kirby, who was not surprised when one of Marian’s assistant football coaches told him the winless team could use Anketell.

“She really gets off the ground,’’ he added. “Her vision is good. She finds the easy spot.’’

Archambault got a feel for the sport watching two cousins play volleyball at Marian.

“They were the last team to win a league championship, in 2000,’’ said Archambault.

All three seniors plan on playing volleyball in college.

“I never felt so strongly about a sport,’’ said Archambault, who also plays basketball and softball for the Mustangs.