The JPII senior girls volleyball team has been a force this season, picking up five medals in tournament play this year. The team will now look to carry their stellar play into the post-season, with regionals Nov. 9 in Humboldt. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

One to remember

JPII Senior girls volleyball team look ahead to regionals after standout season

Oct 30, 2019 | 2:02 PM

It has been a season for the books for the John Paul II Crusaders senior girls volleyball team.

The Crusaders wrapped up their regular season tournament play last weekend in Macklin, bringing home a silver medal. The performance also served as an appropriate close out to the senior girls’ best season showing in over 15 years as the team won three gold medals and two silver medals in addition to a fourth place finish on the campaign.

The Crusaders finished the regular season 44-9-1.

Head Coach Vic Stynsky said the team’s prolific play this season has been thanks in large part to the comradery of the group and their positive approach to the game.

“Definitely [the key has been] the girls getting along, and their teamwork together as a group,” Stynsky said. “I think the big thing is the attitude of the girls. Even if we do get down and don’t play that good of a match, we can bounce back the next match and pick it up and play consistently again.”

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A key contributing factor to the team’s resiliency this season has been their ability to draw on previous experience on the volleyball court.

While the senior girls’ Crusaders may be a young team, featuring just a pair of Grade 12 players, nearly the entirety of the rest of the team has played at either the junior or club volleyball level previously as well.

The JPII senior girls will now look to carry the momentum from their regular season into regionals in Humboldt Nov. 9.

With a successful top three showing at regionals, the team can also punch its ticket to provincials the following weekend in Fort Qu’Appelle.

Stynsky said the team will look to make the most of their week ahead, and the opportunity that comes with it to rest up and recover from some bumps and bruises that have occurred over the course of the season.

He said the additional time off should only help an already eager and hopeful group, heading into their regional showdown.

“I think we have a lot of confidence,” Stynsky said. “We are coming off a very good tournament in Macklin, [and] I think we have a lot of enthusiasm and we show that on the court. Leadership from our Grade 12 students helps. We are a united group which really leads us to be successful. I know the girls are looking forward to regionals and are confident if we play our best we will have success and good results.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1