_{Photo: Saint John’s College Wildcats – CSSSA 2024-25 Male Volleyball Champions}

by William Ysaguirre

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Jan. 16, 2025

The Saint John’s College Wildcats junior varsity volleyball boys won the Catholic Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSAC) volleyball championship hosted by Bishop Martin High School on the San Lorenzo Road in Orange Walk Town on Saturday, January 11.

_{Photo: Muffles College Bobcats – CSSSA 2024-25 Male Volleyball Sub-Champions}

The Wildcats dominated all opponents, not losing a single set, and took the championship final, 15-10, 15-7, over the Muffles College Bobcats of Orange Walk. The Bishop Martin High School Cardinals won the consolation match for 3rd place, 2-0, over the Mount Carmel High School Crusaders of Benque Viejo.

_{Photo: Bishop Martin High School Cardinals – CSSSA 2024-25 Male Volleyball 3rd Place}

Eight teams contested the championship, and the Wildcats had qualified to the finals by a 15-10, 15-11 win over the Crusaders in the semifinals, while the Bobcats advanced to the finals by a 2-1 win over the Cardinals in the other semifinal.

The 8 teams were divided into 2 groups of 4 teams who played a single round robin of 6 games. In Group A, in Game 1, the Wildcats dominated the St. Ignatius High School boys of Santa Elena, 15-14, 15-6. In Game 2, the Cardinals won, 2-0, over the SHC Hawks. In Game 3, the Wildcats mauled the SHC Hawks, 15-9, 15-8; while in Game 4, the Cardinals eliminated the St. Ignatius boys, 2-0. In Game 5, the Wildcats dominated the Cardinals, 15-10, 15-11; and in Game 6, the St. Ignatius boys enjoyed their first win, 2-1, over the SHC Hawks.

In Group B, the Bobcats advanced to semifinals as group leaders with 2 wins, and the Crusaders were 2nd, also with 2 wins. In Game 1, the Bobcats mauled the Crusaders, 2-0. In Game 2, Corozal Community College boys won, 2-1, over Our Lady of Guadalupe High School from Belmopan. In Game 3, the Crusaders prevailed, 2-1, over the Corozal boys; and in Game 4, the Bobcats won, 2-0, over the Belmopan boys. In Game 5, the Crusaders eliminated the Belmopan boys, 2-1; while in Game 6, the Corozal boys tamed the Bobcats, 2-0.

The CSSSAC executive committee presented a championship trophy to the SJC Wildcats and individual medals to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.