Josh Bell (left), Addyson Nyholt (top right), and Taylor Bugg (bottom right) will represent Saskatchewan on the volleyball court this summer at the Canada Cup. (Submitted photos)

By Martin Martinson

Volleyball Standouts

Crusaders trio named to Team Sask for Canada Cup

Jun 9, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Three volleyball players from the Battlefords will represent Saskatchewan this summer at the Canada Cup in Thorold, ON., just outside Niagara.

Taylor Bugg, Josh Bell, and Addyson Nyholt are all three students at John Paul II Collegiate, who will make the cross-country trip to compete, representing the province and local community.

Taylor Bugg

Bugg is a Grade 11 student and left-side hitter, who has played the last four years with both the Crusaders’ high school team, and Battlefords Volleyball Club.

She said making Team Saskatchewan this summer is an opportunity she’s been working towards over the last few years.

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“This year was very important to me because it was my last year I could possibly make the team, and every other year I would make it to the final tryout but not be picked to be on the team, so it was a big moment,” she said with a smile.

“I put a lot of work towards this tryout, and I’m really excited to travel across Canada to compete in these games.

Bugg will suit up for the Women’s Selects Green team, made up of athletes born in 2006 or later.

Josh Bell

Bell is also a Grade 11 student at JPII, and will be heading into his second year competing with Team Sask at the Canada Cup after also being selected to last year’s squad that competed in Calgary.

“I’m super excited to play again, and it was really good for me last year in terms of development as I really got to improve a lot,” Bell said. “It should be a super cool experience again and I’m also excited to go somewhere like Niagara as I’ve never been there before.”

One of a handful of returning players from last year’s Sask roster on the Men’s Selects Green team, Bell said the experience gained last year can only help the team this year.

“We were one of the younger teams last year, playing in a 17U tournament against teams from Alberta and BC, and all the other provinces, so now this year we’re the older guys,” Bell said. “We already have that chemistry and we’ve gotten to know each other well already, so I’m excited for this group to see what we can do.”

Bell will play outside hitter with the Men’s Green Selects team, made up of athletes born in 2006 or later.

Addyson Nyholt

The youngest of the three local athletes selected to Team Sask, Nyholt is a Grade 10 student, who has played volleyball the last three years with the Crusaders, having also joined Battlefords Volleyball Club last year as a way to continue to play even outside the school season.

She said she’s looking forward to this summer for the chance to continue to play the game she’s passionate about, in her first time representing Saskatchewan on the national stage.

“I’m personally super grateful I’m getting this opportunity to further my volleyball skills and just have the experience,” Nyholt said. “It’s always something I’ve wanted to be able to try to do and I’m super thankful for the opportunity and the coaching I will get this season with Team Sask.”

Nyholt, a middle, will redshirt for the Women’s White Selects team. She said she’s just looking to soak up all she can from the experience.

“It’s a dream and I’m glad I can reach my goal [of making the team], and I can’t wait for the next experiences and coaching I will get.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1