The MacGregor Mustangs' junior varsity boys volleyball team are Zone 7 Champions.

They hosted the JV Zone Championship Tournament yesterday at MacGregor Collegiate. The Mustangs knocked off Neepawa in straight sets to advance to the final, where they met rival Rivers, the team that snatched their Provincial Qualifier spot away a short while ago. "That was a rematch that we lost to them a week-and-a-half ago in the Provincial Qualifier. We were missing some players last game that we didn't have for this one,"says Head Coach Penny Wilson when asked about going up against Rivers again. 

The Mustangs weren't about to squander a shot at redemption and won in 4 sets. They took the first 25-20, they fell in the second and went on to win 2 straight 25-18 and 25-23. Wilson says the boys lost it when they hit that final point, and credits it as a team win.

"I can say across the board every kid that played today had their absolute best of the year. They all played outstanding, and it really felt good to win that one. The boys were really pleased"

Wilson says it's been a long time since MacGregor's JV boys brought home a zone title, 2003 to be exact, and the boys were overjoyed when they won.

"Boy's volleyball isn't a really big focus in our smaller towns, it really is all about hockey. So it's nice for the kids that aren't big hockey, to be celebrated and be champions at something they don't often get a chance at when there's nothing but hockey going on."

She adds a lot of players deserve shout-outs after their amazing performance through the year.

"Zach Skyhar, Conner Giesbright and Aaron Friesen had the games of their lives, it was stellar. Boyd Smith, Zak Smith, Dale Moir and Brody MacDonald were just knocking out of the park, they all played their hearts out. Blake Friesen, a Grade 9, I subbed him in to serve the final two points at 23-23 and he killed it, nerves of steel that kid. Lance Boak, another Grade 9 player, was absolutely crushing it. Rhett Boschman played outstanding for us too, he really came through toward the end of the season. Chad Killam played middle for 6 straight sets, and really held the team together. I'm really proud of all of them."

The Mustangs won't be making the trip to Provincials as Rivers won the qualifying tournament. Wilson says the season is officially over, and she's thrilled with what her team's accomplished.