PITTSBURGH — Jess Mrdjenovich doesn’t relish rolling out of bed early in the morning and driving through rush hour traffic just to get to school.

The Oakland Catholic senior doesn’t much care for returning to her Gibsonia home each night after 10.

But to Mrdjenovich, those sacrifices are more than acceptable.

“It’s difficult because it definitely cuts into my time,” Mrdjenovich said. “It cuts down on the time I can spend with my friends, but I think it’s worth it.”

It’s worth it in part because Mrdjenovich is a point guard on an Eagles’ girls basketball team that is 21-0 heading into the regular-season finale Saturday against Seton La-Salle, which is also unbeaten.

Mrdjenovich lives in the Mars school district, but has grown up in the Catholic school system.

She always wanted to attend Oakland Catholic.

Mrdjenovich is close friends with teammate and Adams Township resident Audra Phibbs. The two car-pool to school.

Like Mrdjenovich, Phibbs came through the Catholic school system and dreamed of the day she would step into Oakland Catholic as a student.

“I know that if I were to go to my public school, I might get more playing time,” said Phibbs, a senior forward. “But to be here with these girls who are like my family, it’s very special.”

Part of what makes it arduous — the time spent on campus waiting for practice or a game to start — is also part of what makes the Eagles so good on the court.

The players spend much more time together than athletes on most teams do, which has bread uncanny chemistry on the court.

“This group of girls is so special because they just love each other,” said Oakland Catholic coach Shannon Boyle. “They have such a good time together and I think everything just goes better when you are having fun. They really are great friends to one another.”

During their down time, players grab a bite to eat on the nearby University of Pittsburgh campus and mull around the school.

And, sometimes, they even do homework.

“Yeah. Homework,” says Mrdjenovich, flashing a sly smile. “Sure.”

Mrdjenovich, Phibbs and junior Paige Bianchin, who is a Cranberry Township resident, have had an eye on this season for quite some time.

“Ever since were were freshmen, we always looked to our senior year as the one that would be our year,” Mrdjenovich said. “If we were going to win a championship, that would be it. So we’re really excited about it.”

It wasn’t always smooth sailing, however.

Six games into their sophomore season, Jim Dudas was removed as the coach and Boyle, a 2000 Oakland Catholic graduate, took over.

“At first it was hard. We weren’t together,” Phibbs said of the sudden transition. “Now we’re all coming together. We play for her and play for each other. It worked out.”

The Eagles finished that season 15-6, losing to Peters Township in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Last season, Boyle’s first full year on the bench, Oakland Catholic went 18-10 and reached the second round of the PIAA playoffs.

Now, the Eagles appear destined for an even deeper run, whether that starts at 22-0 or 21-1.

“Our record is important — we certainly don’t want to lose any games — but what’s most important to us is winning that medal,” Mrdjenovich said. “We’re looking for a state championship.”