With a year already under her belt, Alex Hunt is emerging as one of Michigan volleyball coach Mark Rosen’s young up-and-coming hitters.

Last season, the sophomore didn't reach the double-digit kill mark in a match until the 14th game of the season.

But on Sunday, Hunt tallied double-digit kills for the third time this year in the team’s three-set sweep over Notre Dame at the Xavier Invitational in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“She has done a great job hitting the ball so far this year,” Rosen said. “Early on, teams have been keying on (senior outside hitter) Juliana (Paz), which has allowed Alex to get some more touches and kills for us.”

The victory against the Fighting Irish, along with four-set wins against Tennessee and Xavier, raised the seventh-ranked Wolverines' perfect record to 5-0.

Paz and Hunt led the Michigan offense in all three matches over the weekend.

“We always try to have a lot of balance on our team,” junior setter Lexi Zimmerman said. “(Alex) has just been on fire the last couple of days and is definitely hitting the ball with more confidence.”

Part of the reason for Hunt’s recent hitting surge has to do with the way the Wolverine lineup has been structured over the past two years. Last season, then-senior Beth Karpiak logged a lot of playing time for the Wolverines, which placed Hunt a little lower on the depth chart. But with Karpiak's graduation, Hunt has excelled in her newfound role on the court.

Additionally, Hunt moved from right side to left side this year, giving her an opportunity to hit from all areas of the court. With the timely setting of Zimmerman, the combination gives Rosen another weapon in his offense.

“Lexi has been distributing the ball really well and giving all of the hitters an opportunity to get some kills on the court,” Hunt said.

Rosen will look to Hunt to complement Michigan's offensive attack as the Wolverines look to stay undefeated tomorrow against Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti.