The JPII Crusaders senior boys volleyball team capped their season with a provincial silver medal in front of their home crowd over the weekend. (submitted photo/Shelly Fransoo)

By Martin Martinson

hometown pride

JPII senior boys take home provincial silver on home court

Nov 25, 2019 | 3:11 PM

“Leadership, learning and laughs.”

That is how assistant coach of the John Paul II Collegiate (JPII) senior boys volleyball team, Shelly Fransoo summed up her team’s season after the Crusaders took home a silver medal in front of their hometown crowd at the local high school over the weekend.

The senior boys wrapped their campaign with a dynamite showing in front of friends and family, winning all four games of round robin play on their way to the playoff rounds.

Budding with confidence with the crowd backing them in support, the Crusaders’ boys then carried their dominance into back-to-back victories in the playoff rounds.

After topping Saskatoon’s E.D. Feehan in the quarter-finals in straight-sets, JPII then defeated Sturgis in three sets in the semifinals as well.

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The victory paved the way to the gold medal game against Moose Jaw Vanier for the provincial championship.

While the Crusaders left it all on the court, the defending champions from Moose Jaw relied on their large veteran base and wealth of experience to take the series in two-straight. As a result, JPII still finished second, to take home the silver.

Despite the bitter-sweet end to the tournament, Fransoo said she was happy to see the effort of the group throughout the weekend, capping what was a season to remember for the club.

“I could not be more proud of this team, honestly,” she said. “They played hard throughout the whole weekend. We had some excellent leadership from our Grade 12 students and from our head coach Shalen McNabb, and we have learned a lot as a young team. We have seen great growth in our volleyball IQ throughout the year and also managed to have some fun while doing it, so it has been a great season.”

Adding to the excitement of the weekend, Fransoo said making the team’s run to the provincial final all the more special, was the overwhelming support shown by fellow students, friends and family alike for the team.

“Looking across the gym from the coach’s bench, the bleachers were full of blue,” she said. “Not only from people who are currently going to the school, but community members and the grandpas and grandmas and aunts and uncles and cousins; it was pretty awesome to feel, not just to see [that atmosphere.]”

Just three players from this season’s silver medal winning team are Grade 12s who will graduate this year. The remainder of the squad will be eligible to return next year, looking to build on the momentum gained this season.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1