By Megan Kaplon

Untouchable might be the only word to describe the performance of the U.S. Women’s National Team over the past three weeks. Team USA has won 10 matches in a row in the Volleyball Nations League tournament—nine of those without dropping a set.

This week, the Americans celebrated sweeps of Russia and China and a four-set victory over Brazil. The team not only retained its hold on the No. 1 spot in the VNL standings, but extended its lead over No. 2 Brazil to six points. 

The trio of opponents Team USA faced in the fourth week of competition all ranked in the top-five internationally, with China checking in at No. 1. But even the toughest teams in the world couldn’t rattle the Americans, who are now guaranteed a spot in the VNL Final Round in two weeks.

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley has been an absolutely dominant force from the left pin. The 28-year-old has led Team USA in points seven times in 12 matches. Her performances have been so impressive, the FIVB even referred to her in a headline as MBH—figuring any self-respecting volleyball fan would know who they were talking about by now.

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley scored 18 as #USAVwnt sweep reigning Olympic Champion & world's #1 China in stunning fashion to improve to 11-1 in FIVB #VolleyballNationsLeague. @TeamUSA remains in first place; plays final 3 prelim matches vs #KOR, #SRB and #ARG. https://t.co/em91Whr9jp pic.twitter.com/IiQEPsf6Gr

— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) June 7, 2018

Kelsey Robinson, for her part, has not lost a match since moving from outside hitter to the starting libero position in the third match of the tournament. With an average of 1.88 digs per set, the 25-year-old former Nebraska Husker is the best back-court defensive player in the entire tournament. 

Head coach Karch Kiraly has a great system going. Not only does he field unstoppable lineups, but most of his players get time off to rest while their equally talented teammates take turns earning the starting nod. 

Kiraly’s group of four middles—Rachael Adams, Lauren Gibbemeyer, Tori Dixon and Foluke Akinradewo—have had almost perfectly equal playing time with each starting six matches. Although all four have played exceedingly well, Gibbemeyer has been the most impressive, and with 0.55 blocks per set, she ranks 11th among all athletes in the tournament. 

Kim Hill, Jordan Larson, and Bartsch-Hackley share the two starting outside hitter spots and are all three ranked in the top 20 of the tournament’s list of best spikers.

The use of the double sub has even allowed setter Carli Lloyd, who has started every single match of the tournament, a few rotations of rest, with Micha Hancock coming in to set, and Annie Drews and Kelly Murphy alternating in the role of starting opposite and substitute opposite. 

This versatility and depth makes the Americans extremely tough to compete against for many teams that only have one or two star players. 

When every other teams workhorses are starting to feel the drain of the six-week-long tournament, the Americans, by comparison, will still be feeling strong and well-rested.