Pictured L-R: The JPII Crusaders' junior girls, senior girls, junior boys and senior boys volleyball teams combined for three gold medals and a silver last weekend around the region. (Submitted photos/JPII Collegiate)

By Martin Martinson

Bump, Set, Spike

Crusaders volleyball program off to hot start this season

Sep 22, 2022 | 4:00 PM

It’s been a scorching start to the season for the John Paul II Collegiate volleyball program.

The Crusaders took home three gold medals and a silver last weekend, as the senior girls won gold at their home tournament, the junior girls and junior boys took tandem gold in Wilkie, and the senior boys won silver in Meadow Lake.

Senior girls gold

The senior girls, who were coming off a silver medal showing at PA Carlton to open the season, won eight of their nine games in their home gym on their way to the gold, defeating Edam in the semis and Nipawin in the final, each in straight sets.

Senior girls head coach Cherelle Cadrain credits the team’s quick start this season to a strong leadership group, spearheaded by co-captains, Charlotte Adamcryck (middle hitter) and Katelyn Payne (setter), who have helped set the tone for the team through their work ethic and building of team comradery, on the court and off.

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“The Grade 12s have really taken on that leadership role, and taken initiative to even plan a team lunch all on their own for team bonding,” Cadrain said. “This group has a really good rapport going, and everything’s just flowing nicely. Even after we lost our one game to Nipawin [in the round robin], we kept a positive attitude […] we have a very determined and positive group.”

The senior girls will return to tournament action this weekend in Unity. The team will play their first game Friday at 2:50 p.m. against Outlook.

Junior girls gold

Less than 40 minutes north of the Battlefords, the junior girls Crusaders won all six of their games in Wilkie on their path to the gold, defeating Unity in the gold medal game in three sets.

“It was a great weekend of volleyball, [there were] lots of close games, and it was a lot of fun,” head coach Brent Puff said. “As always, Wilkie did an outstanding job hosting the tournament, and it was loud with a ton of excitement.”

The junior girls will be in town this weekend, for tournament action at North Battleford Comprehensive High School. The team will play their first game versus NBCHS’ junior ‘B’ team, Friday at 3 p.m.

Senior boys silver

The senior boys won their silver medal in Meadow Lake, capturing 10 of their 14 total sets, on their way to the second-place finish.

Head coach Shelly Fransoo said it was nice to see the whole team contributing and getting some impact minutes early in the year.

“We are running a system that sees us able to consistently play more than just six players, so it allows us to better develop athletes throughout the season,” she said.

“We are very happy with a second-place finish at this point in the season, especially because we played against a number of 4A and 5A teams this past weekend, and are hopeful that with time we will only become stronger in our execution.”

The senior boys will return to play this weekend in Saskatoon for the annual U of S tournament, before returning to host their home tournament at JPII the weekend of Oct. 1.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1