Vikings, Crusaders claim provincial crowns

The Vincent Massey Vikings left no doubt that the best volleyball program in the province still resides in Brandon.

Sparked by a sensational 25-kill performance from tournament MVP Hannah McGregor, the Vikings knocked off the Collège Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens 3-1 (25-15; 26-24; 23-25; 25-17) to capture the AAAA varsity girls provincial volleyball championship for the second year in a row at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Monday.

In the second final of the evening, the St. Paul’s Crusaders steamrolled the Dakota Lancers 3-0 (25-14; 25-19; 25-18) to capture the AAAA varsity boys’ championship.

“I think that was my best game today, and I’m happy I got to finish it off like that,” said McGregor, who also had a pair of aces.

The Grade 11 star battled confidence issues earlier this season as she stepped into an elevated role in the Massey attack, but overcame that en route to being voted by coaches as the No. 1 player in the province and enjoying a tremendous run in the provincial tournament.

McGregor was nearly indefensible on this night. Fittingly, she registered the championship-winning point on a big swing.

“It was happy, it was excited, it was everything,” McGregor said. “I just knew that I had to play my role today, and I just gave it my all.”

The Vikings received another outstanding performance from left side Zoe Redekop, who registered 16 kills, while middle Ashley Sullivan chipped in with six kills and a pair of aces.

“I’m glad that everyone could contribute. I think everyone had their moments,” said Redekop, who was voted the 10th best player in the province last month. “I just think when we’re having fun, that brings out the best in all of us, and that really brought out the best in me.”

After the opening set was marked by a superb defensive effort from the Vikings, the Olympiens tightened up in the second frame, matching Massey at 22-22. CJS showed some fight while facing set point at 24-22, battling back to tie the frame, but McGregor — who had eight kills in the set — proved to be too much, ending the set with consecutive points.

“She’s an amazing athlete,” Vikings head coach Kelly DeRoo. “I kind of figured she’d go off in this match and just score, and they weren’t able to shut her down, so (setter) Kaitlyn (Couckuyt) and I had a conversation that unless they start digging her, we might as well just keep giving her the ball.”

If one thing was for certain, the Olympiens weren’t going to wave the white flag. They proved in the semifinal that they were capable of mounting big comebacks, as they defeated MBCI in five sets after being down 2-0.

CJS jumped out to a 20–14 lead, and although Massey reclaimed the lead at 23-21, the Olympiens scored four in a row to win the set.

Massey bounced back emphatically in the final set.

“We’ve become accustomed to winning matches, and they’ve shown that they can fight back,” DeRoo said. “The third set, we weren’t playing very well, but they executed, and this is what has happened many times this season. We’ve gotten down by five or six, and we fought back.”

CJS was led by Amara Shams, who logged eight kills and one ace. The Olympiens found occasional success through middle Phylicia Blake, who finished with seven kills, while Celeste Pelletier added seven kills of her own.

Next season, the Vikings will seek a rare three-peat. The last program to accomplish that feat was Lord Selkirk, which won four in a row from 2004-2007.

“I mean, anything is possible,” said DeRoo. “I’ve got six girls coming back next year.”

McGregor, Redekop, Sullivan, Pelletier and Shams made up the tournament all-star team.

Crusaders cruise to title

Liam Mancer starred in an 18-kill, one-ace, MVP performance as the Crusaders captured the program’s first provincial championship since 2015.

Nathan Brzak helped out with eight kills, one ace and a block, while Oluwafisayomi Sofoluwe chipped in with four kills and a pair of blocks.

“I started a little slow, and the nerves got to me a little bit, but I just kept ramping up,” said Mancer.

One week after the Dakota Lancers could do no wrong in the semifinals, not much went right in the championship.

St. Paul’s were constant forces at the net all night, challenging every swing by the Lancers’ hitters.

Jordan Bagnas managed 12 kills to lead Dakota, while Daniel Rom supplied nine kills.

The Crusaders did not drop a set in their three matches in the provincial tournament.

“The confidence level was through the roof,” said Crusaders head coach Dustin Spiring. “We knew that we had what it took this year, and everyone kind of had to play to us. To execute a game plan like that and stay locked in… really proud of our boys.”

Mancer, Sofoluwe, Rom and Bagnas were joined by Crusaders setter James Zang on the all-star team.

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