The John Paul II senior girls volleyball team, pictured here following their first place finish at regionals. (Submitted photo/Cherelle Cadrain)

By Martin Martinson

Crusaders volleyball

JPII senior girls go undefeated at regionals, advance to provincials

Nov 16, 2021 | 3:58 PM

The John Paul II Collegiate (JPII) senior girls volleyball team added another milestone to their season over the weekend at Saskatoon’s Marion Graham Collegiate, going undefeated at regionals, to punch their ticket to provincials.

Head coach of the Crusaders, Cherelle Cadrain said she was very proud of the way the team was able to operate as a unit, both to score points and defend on their way to victory.

“The girls really played up to their potential; they came out very determined, and their passing again was really spot-on,” Cadrain said. “With strong serving too, they really made it hard on our opponents, and it was great to see them come out successful.”

Not losing so much as a single set over their four games played at the weekend tournament, the Crusaders opened their schedule with a straight-sets victory over Meadow Lake, defeating their rivals to the north, 25-20 and 25-12.

Then against La Loche, the girls continued their roll, with 25-13 and 25-14 wins to again take the victory by a 2-0 count.

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Martensville was perhaps the biggest challenger for the Crusaders, though JPII still topped their challenger by a 25-17 and 25-20 margin, before ending their tournament with an exclamation point as the team topped the hosts from Marion Graham, 25-16 and 25-15 to cap the weekend atop the podium.

The regionals win serves as the third-straight tournament victory for the Crusaders girls, dating back to late-October.

Cadrain said now with provincials straight-ahead, the team is looking forward to the challenge, while still staying focused on the task at hand.

“The girls at practice yesterday were all very excited, but still keeping that level-head and determination, as they want to do well,” she said. “For us as coaches, that’s about the best thing you can see, and we’re really peaking at the right time too, so we’re hoping for another strong weekend.”

The JPII senior girls will open provincials in Moosomin this weekend with three games Friday. The Crusaders will play Meadow Lake Friday at 1 p.m. with games to follow at 4 p.m. versus Melfort, and 6 p.m. against Yorkton Sacred Heart.

Their final round-robin game will be 10 a.m. Saturday versus Moose Jaw Peacock, with the playoff rounds to be played after that.

The JPII Collegiate senior boys will also return to action this weekend, for regionals in Saskatoon, with a chance to clinch their spot at provincials next weekend, Nov. 26-27 in Moose Jaw.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1