HAZEN - The amount of talent on the Hazen volleyball team is no secret.

With some of the top players in Class B on the roster, consistency is not one of the team's few concerns.

The Bison have amassed an overall record of 35-3 due to their overall balance and consistency. They have done so under a first-year head coach, Linette Irwin, that was no stranger to team.

"I've been around this group of kids for a while, not just in volleyball but in other sports as well," Irwin said. "It's been a little bit of a learning experience, but I couldn't have asked for a better situation - an athletic, talented team that knows the game.

"Overall it's been a fun time."

Irwin said the Bison's consistent play is going to be key once the District 14 tournament gets underway here Monday.

"We're playing really well and we've been pretty consistent," she said. "The way we are playing right now, it would be tough to beat us in a five-game match. But at the same time we know we need to stay focused. We don't want to take anyone for granted and we need to make sure to take every game seriously."

Coming into the season, one of the only concerns for the Bison was at the setter position. That role has been filled nicely by junior Payton Borud. Borud's play at the position caused a switch in the Hazen offense in mid-September. The Bison went to a 5-1 format following a tournament in Dickinson. The transition has been smooth according to Irwin.

"Payton has been very good, especially consistency-wise," she said. "Switching to a 5-1 has made us more consistent and fluid in offense and Payton has been a part of that."

Hazen will play the winner of the Killdeer/Richardton-Taylor match Monday night at 6 p.m. Beulah takes on Glen Ullin-Hebron in the opening round. The winner of that match plays Dickinson Trinity in Monday's semifinals.

Along with consistency, Irwin feels intensity is going to be another driving factor in the postseason.

"Not losing that intensity that we've had in previous matches," she said when asked what is going to be key. "We just need to play hard and play well. If we can continue to do that it should be a lot of fun."