The John Paul II Crusaders boys team during a contest earlier this season. (John Paul II Collegiate/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

High School Sports

John Paul II prepares to host upcoming volleyball provincials

Nov 6, 2025 | 5:22 PM

The Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) Volleyball regional and provincial tournaments are coming up, and the John Paul II Collegiate boys and girls teams are preparing for the regionals and to host the provincials.

Boys’ volleyball coach Shelly Fransoo talked about how excited not only the players are to represent on their home court.

“The boys, their coaches, myself included, are super excited to be hosting. We are encouraging all of our supporters to come out and support their play… any athlete wants to be able to play on their home court for sure,” said Fransoo, adding how the entire school is looking forward to hosting.

“We have a tremendous amount of support here within our school, not just staff members. A huge number of our student body are really stepping up here, providing minor officials, team hosts, just helping in a variety of areas. As we are getting a couple of weeks away, I do get the sense that the excitement is starting to build.”

The Crusaders boys team. (John Paul II Collegiate/Facebook)

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Ferland earns Grey Cup ring

'A wonderful human being': High school coach thrilled Logan Ferland is a Grey Cup champion

Nov 17, 2025

The boys team had numerous multi-sport athletes, so they didn’t always have a full roster throughout the season. They got that full roster back recently and won the gold medal in the last tournament in the regular season, which was a huge boost for the team.

“We could come together as a full roster once again and reach the goal of what we felt we could accomplish, but just [seeing] it happen was huge for the mental aspect of the game.”

The girls’ team is playing their regional tournament in Kindersley on Nov. 7-8 before hosting regionals. They won four tournaments throughout the season and took home three silver medals as well.

Even in some losses, girls coach Quinn Bayham has been satisfied with the team’s performance throughout the season.

“We were really impressed with our girls and we wanted them to know how impressed we were with them. When we walk away, whether it’s gold or silver… we’re happy with wins or losses as long as we’re having fun and learning new things. I think we’ve had a lot of success. Even in just one game, even if it’s a loss we don’t mind it as long as we feel good about how we played.”

The Crusaders girls team. (John Paul II Collegiate/Facebook)

The girls team had a mix of older and younger players, and Bayham talked about how their Grade 12s helped out the Grade 10s.

“The captains did a really excellent job at educating the new players, keeping a positive outlook and having a very high valuable IQ that helped coach [in the] middle of the game as well,” said Bayham. “Having them together, they are all keen on learning together. That group mindset, I feel is very helpful.”

Bayhem mentioned that the compeition in practice between the starters and the bench is a big part of what has made the team so successful.

“Iron sharpens iron,” she said.

The girls provincial tournament will be held at the school on Nov. 14/15, while the boys provincials will be the following weekend on Nov. 21/22.

—

Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com