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The YRHS team got off to a good start over the holiday weekend. Hosting the southern regional volleyball playdowns, teams were broken down into two pools. Pool 'A' included Moose Jaw Central, Estevan, Balgonie and Moose Jaw Peacock. Pool 'B' included the YRHS, Weyburn, Swift Current and Moose Jaw Vanier.

Through their opening matches, the YRHS beat Moose Jaw Vanier in two straight sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-20.

They knocked off Swift Current in two straight sets, 25-20 and then 25-13.

Then things got a little scary.

Moose Jaw Central was the first opponent in the elimination round. YRHS won the deciding match, but coach Dion Pfiefer admitted afterwards it got a little too close for comfort.

"Well, nobody likes to go three sets," he said, following his team's third-set victory, 25-17. "We got the win. That's the main thing."

The 25-17 win came after nothing looked good in the set, which YRHS lost 25-11.

Trailing by margins all game long of 6-1, 14-4, 17-5, 21-7 and 24-10, that meant the YRHS was going to have to come up with the set of the year if they wanted to secure a spot in this year's provincials, as well as a chance to win the tournament they were hosting.

"We (had) to key on that one big hitter," said Pfeifer of Moose Jaw, going into the game.

"We let them back into it," he told the press following their win in the third set. "In that first game, we played really well," he said, referring back to the opening set against Central.

"It was a pretty intense tournament. There were three berths up for grabs.

"We played a tough Moose Jaw team in the semis."

YRHS played Estevan's Elecs in the final and won two sets straight, 25-18 and 25-20.

"If our guys play the way they can." Pfeifer says, adding their goal will be to "make the playoffs."

He said the first-place finish at home last weekend "may have helped in the rankings" for provincials.

The SHSAA 5A senior boys volleyball provincial championships will be held at Prince Albert's Carlton Comprehensive High School.

Participating teams include Regina Campbell (2008 champs), Prince Albert St. Mary's (2009 and 2010 champs), North Battleford, Saskatoon St. Joseph (2010 bronze medal winners), the Yorkton Regional High School, Regina Balfour, Saskatoon BJM, Estevan, Prince Albert Carlton and Weyburn.

According to the SHSAA, draw results will be available today.