The JPII Collegiate senior boys volleyball team has been among the top in 4A in the province all season, with five tournament wins this year. (Submitted photo/Shelly Fransoo)

By Martin Martinson

Volleyball provincials

JPII senior boys ready to make noise at provincials

Nov 24, 2021 | 3:00 PM

Coming off a silver medal performance at Regionals last weekend in Saskatoon, the John Paul II Collegiate senior boys volleyball team are ready for their next challenge ahead at provincials.

Taking place in Moose Jaw this weekend, Nov. 26-27, the Crusaders’ boys enter the weekend battle-tested, as they dropped just a single set through the round robin at regionals, heading into the tournament final.

The Crusaders opened regionals with a three-set victory over Saskatoon’s Marion Graham, taking the third and deciding by a 15-8 score.

Following it up with back-to-back straight-set victories over La Loche and the hosts from Saskatoon’s E.D. Feehan, the team then met Meadow Lake in the final, where they fell in two sets to finish second overall and earn their spot amongst the top 4A teams in the province.

Head coach, Shelly Fransoo said a real key to the team’s success this year has been their depth of players who have been able to contribute to the team’s success throughout the season.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

“I think definitely the strength in our team this year is that we do not have just one player [who can make a difference],” she said. “So many teams we’ve come up against this year have had one or maybe two key players, and I really think we have several different players who can step up in any given game, which has been key.”

With five tournament wins under their belt this year, she said heading into provincials, the team is confident they can make their mark with a strong showing.

“We want to see the playoff rounds for sure, as anything less than that and we’d be disappointed,” Fransoo said. “We certainly have the talent and the skill required, so at this point in the year it’s just a matter of consistent execution.”

The Crusaders will open provincials with three games Friday. The team will play Moose Jaw Vanier at 12 p.m., Tisdale at 2 p.m., and Moose Jaw Peacock at 5 p.m. Saturday they will close the round robin against Melfort at 10 a.m., with the top four teams advancing to the playoff rounds after that.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1