The Cornerstone Falcons put together a stellar run at the SHSAA 3A Boys Volleyball Championship last month, placing fourth, which was their highest finish ever.

While they fell short of their ultimate goal, which was bringing home a medal for the first time, the Falcons have been recognized in another way as they were awarded an SHSAA Most Sportsmanlike Team banner from the championship.

“When you lose that bronze game, miss out that close to getting your first medal, it stings, but then you get the call that you were voted on by the officials, SHSAA rep and the host committee as the Most Sportsmanlike Team, that’s a pretty big honour for the kids,” said Lee Behrns, Cornerstone’s athletic director.

This is the fourth Most Sportsmanlike Team banner that Cornerstone has received to hang in their gym.  Behrns said it’s something that they strive for at every tournament that their school takes part in.

“There’s 385 schools in Saskatchewan and the SHSAA tries spread out the award as much as they can and it’s a testament to the school that we’ve won four in 20 years and the host committee is adamant that we win it,” said Behrns.

After starting with three straight losses in the round robin, Cornerstone found their stride in the final pool game. They then knocked off top ranked Birch Hills in the quarterfinals, before losing to Meath Park in the semifinals and dropping a two-set game to Carnduff in the bronze medal game.