It's not a lucky rabbit's foot. It just acts like one.

Port Huron volleyball coach Derek Arena keeps an index card in his pocket during every game. The white piece of paper has been folded over twice. There's some writing on it in black ink. But only Arena knows what it says.

"I've told the girls I have something that pinpoints the importance of the rest of the season versus an undefeated record," Arena said as he held the card. "And I haven't had to bring it out because we haven't lost yet. I have it in my pocket so that they know we're playing for an entire season."

When asked what's written on the card, Arena didn't budge. He just smiled and returned it safely to his left pocket.

"We'll save it until we lose," Arena said. "And then I'll share it with you."

But there's no telling when that might be. Because a month into the season, the Big Reds remain unbeaten at 14-0. And they're showing no signs of slowing down.

"We've done really well working as a team," senior Paige Zuehlke said. "Even when we're down and we're like, 'OK, we need to bring the energy up,' — it comes right up."

"We have 12 girls who all have their own skills," Arena said. "So when we combine them, we just don't have a ton of weaknesses. Those combined skills and attributes, at this point, are a perfect combination. And they're allowing us to have that success."

Port Huron's perfect start wasn't expected. Arena knew his players had talent. But with only four seniors on the roster, he thought it would take more time for everyone to be in sync.

"We've had great senior leadership, even though we're not a senior-heavy team." Arena said. "(Along with) great early development and play from our freshman and sophomores. And then, our juniors have just been very solid and consistent."

Two players that've taken considerable steps forward are junior setter Jordyn Fielder and sophomore outside hitter Gwen Kamendat.

"(Fielder) is playing all the way around," senior middle hitter Ella Jacobs said. "She's doing such a good job."

"I think all we have a lot of chemistry together," senior libero Lainey Lichota said. "(Enough) to know that we can dig ourselves out of any hole."

Pair that cohesiveness with collective versatility, and the result is a 14-0 mark.

"We have a really strong front row," Zuehlke said. "When our front row is doing well, we bring each up other. And then our back row does well because we're all high-energy."

"I really feel our greatest strength is the balance that we have as a team," Arena said. "The balance that we have in all facets of the game. That's been the key."

With each passing day, the unblemished record sits in the back of their minds. By now it's impossible to ignore.

"We obviously don't want to lose that," Jacobs said. "But even if we do lose a game, our mindset is immediately to win the next set."

"It is fun being undefeated," Arena said. "I think it gives us an extra edge in tight games. Because we feel there is something on the line. As long as this thing goes, we're going to celebrate it and cherish it. But we still understand that there's a much bigger picture ahead of us for what we're trying to accomplish."

Arena took a long look at the index card before putting it away. He's grateful he hasn't had to use it yet. So for now, the card's secret remains with him.

Regardless of how long the streak lasts, Port Huron's belief in itself is here to stay.

"I always think we're going to win," Lichota said. "I have confidence in us."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.