The Saints Senior Boys Volleyball team competed at the SHSSA 4A Boys Provincial Championship over the weekend. The event was hosted at Nipawin's L.P. Miller High School and their Central Park School
The competition consisted of ten teams with two pools of five. Pool A featured defending provincial champion Oxbow, La Loche, Nipawin, Shaunavon and Esterhazy. While Sacred found themselves in Pool B which featured; Caronport, Birch Hills, Bigger and Osler in addition to the Saints.
The Saints first match was against Caronport where the team came out strong leading the first set 16-5 and finally won 25-21. Caronport picked up the pace and won the next two sets 25-21 and 25-19 stealing a win that easily could have went the Saints way after they did the heavy lifting in winning the first set, but just couldn't capitalize in sets two and three.
Sacred bounced back and did a great job passing the ball to win in two straight sets 25-21 and 25-23 preventing the three set loss from ruining their opening day at provincials. Friday's action wrapped up with another three set match against Birch Hills. In the first set, the team came up just short losing 23-25. In the second set the team gained momentum after a strong hit down the line by Derek Marshall. Sacred eventually won the second set 25-19 but once again could not get the all important second set win and bowed out in the third set making Saturday morning's fixture with Osler a must win to continue their provincial run.
On Saturday, Sacred Heart played their final round robin match against Osler. In the first set Sacred Heart's setter/power Jaedon Pellatt injured his knee in the set and had to leave the match. Pellat's injury swung momentum as the Saints were rattled and lost the first set 22-25. The team re-grouped and crushed Osler in the next two sets winning 25-6 and 25-16 to see their way into the next round facing off against Shaunavon in the 3rd. Vs. 2nd matchup in quarterfinal action.
The Saints struggled to control Shaunavon's big middle hitter and was defeated in two close sets losing 23-25 and 18-25 putting them out of contention and a chance to play for a provincial medal.
"This was Sacred Heart's second consecutive year at Provincials, and it was a great experience for the entire team," says coach Curtis Moen. "The team played extremely hard and represented their school with class. We had a strong group of grade 12 boys this year that will be missed. Colin Shewchuk did a remarkable job setting at the net and in the left power position laying down some strong hits. Justin Shumay and Brendon Walkington led the team in blocking in the middle position. Derek Marshall was by far the most well rounded player on the team this year. He was the best passer and a strong hitter at the net. Moen would like to also congratulate his team on a great year.
