(GILBERT, Ariz.) A new head coach and a retooled roster haven't slowed Gilbert Christian volleyball.

The Knights have stormed out to a 17-1 start, with their lone loss coming in an abbreviated 25-22 match against Pusch Ridge during the opening day of the Longhorn Volleyball Invitational.

Since then, GCHS has won 14 straight and remains unbeaten outside of tournament play.

The stretch has included a championship weekend in Payson, a major career milestone for senior Lillie Duitsman and, most recently, consecutive sweeps of Benjamin Franklin and Chinle.

Gilbert Christian's Labor Day weekend in Payson provided the first major test. The Knights faced a grueling eight-match schedule Friday, beginning with a series of abbreviated matches before finishing the day with three two-set victories. After the early loss to Pusch Ridge, GCHS closed Friday with six straight wins, including a 2-0 victory over Northwest Christian.

Midday Friday, Duitsman added another milestone to an already decorated Gilbert Christian career, surpassing 1,000 career kills. The four-year varsity starter has remained at the center of a GCHS lineup featuring just two seniors under first-year head coach Ashley Ahlman.

GCHS was even better in Saturday's double-elimination championship bracket. The Knights swept Show Low, North Valley Christian and Payson to advance, then dispatched Blue Ridge in straight sets before meeting host Payson once more for the title. Another 2-0 victory completed a 5-0 Saturday in which the Knights did not drop a set and secured the program's third consecutive Longhorn Invitational championship.

GCHS carried that momentum into the following week.

After sweeping Safford on the road, the Knights traveled to Benjamin Franklin Thursday and made quick work of the Chargers in a 3-0 victory. Duitsman led the attack with 18 kills on 30 attempts, hitting .433, while Adi Bailie added seven putdowns at a .462 clip. Duitsman also served four aces, and sophomore setter Quinn Ehler distributed 31 assists. Leading the defense, was junior libero Shay Loth, who logged a match high 13 digs.

Two days later, Gilbert Christian returned home and overwhelmed Chinle 25-10, 25-11 and 25-6, allowing just 27 points across the three sets. GCHS was particularly dominant from the service line, piling up 24 aces, including eight from Loth and seven from sophomore Kendall Jarnagan. Ehler added three aces and 14 assists against the Wildcats.

Now comes another measuring stick and a familiar opponent.

Gilbert Christian hosts Northwest Christian Monday at 6 p.m., just nine days after defeating the Crusaders in tourney play. This time, the Knights will get NWC in a full match as GCHS looks to keep one of 3A's hottest starts rolling.