WATERLOO REGION (December 13, 2023) – On Wednesday, District 8 announced the league’s top honour would go to both Yannick Krauss from Père-René-de-Galinée and Toby Snider from Rockway Mennonite. 

Now a two time league MVP, Krauss, helped lead les Chevaliers to back-to-back senior District 8 titles after only capturing their first championship in league history last year. Last season he lined up solely at setter, but this year he also attacked from the left side. 

“Yannick stands as the epitome of excellence on the volleyball court, demonstrating exceptional skill, leadership, and sportsmanship,” said Krauss’ coach Phil Paradis. “He consistently contributes in ways that elevate the entire team, be it through powerful kills, precise serves, or crucial defensive plays. His impact extends far beyond the stat sheet, leaving an indelible mark on the team’s success and earning the admiration of fans and peers alike.”

Krauss and the senior squad from Père-René-de-Galinée, including fellow first team all-star Isaac Kirkwood, went onto capture the single-A CWOSSA title and a berth to the OFSAA Championships where they placed in the top eight for the second year in a row. 

Rockway’s Toby Snider had too good of a season not to be considered as a Co-MVP of the league after he helped Rockway to an undefeated regular season. The grade 11 left side swinger was a threat to every team the Flames encountered. 

“Toby is a complete player, and the anchor of our team’s success,” said AJ Snider, head coach of the Rockway senior team. “His highly developed skill set and situational awareness make him an indispensable component of our highest level of performance. Most importantly, Toby’s personality and positive sense of competition inspires teammates, motivates opponents, and allows him to relish the challenge and thrill of competitive play. His love of the game is contagious.”

The Flames qualified for the single-A OFSAA championship as the tournament host and used the home court to their advantage. With the help of their other first team all-star, grade 12 setter Sasha Thiessen, Rockway battled to a provincial antique bronze (fourth place) medal. 

Left side attacker Aiden Borges and libero Daniel De Sousa were also named as first team all-stars after St. Benedict was able to upset Rockway in the District 8 semi-final. Their teammate, grade 11 setter, Vincent Perri was named to the second team. 

Woodland’s grade 12 left side attack Cam DeVries was also named as a first team all-star selection, while teammate Aam LeBlanc, a grade 12 middle was named as a second team all-star. 

Second team all-star selections also went to Sebastien Rapacki from Resurrection, Finn Murphy from St. Mary’s, Marco Maltez from St. David, and AJ Domingo from Monsignor Doyle.  

2023-24 Boys Volleyball Co-MVP: Yannick Krauss (E.S.C. Père-René-de-Galinée) & Toby Snider (Rockway M.C.)

First-Team All-Stars (Senior):

First Name	Last Name	Position	Grade	School
Aiden	Borges	Left Side	12	St. Benedict C.S.S.
Daniel	De Sousa	Libero	11	St. Benedict C.S.S.
Cam	DeVries	Left Side	12	Woodland Christian H.S.
Isaac	Kirkwood	Left Side	12	E.S.C. Père-René-de-Galinée
Yannick	Krauss	Left Side/Setter	12	E.S.C. Père-René-de-Galinée
Toby	Snider	Outside	11	Rockway M.C.
Sasha	Thiessen	Setter	12	Rockway M.C.

Second Team All-Stars (Senior):

First Name	Last Name	Position	Grade	School
AJ	Domingo	Right Side	12	Monsignor Doyle C.S.S.
Adam	LeBlanc	Middle	12	Woodland Christian H.S.
Marco	Maltez	Setter	12	St. David C.S.S.
Finn	Murphy	Left Side	11	St. Mary’s H.S.
Vincent	Perri	Setter	11	St. Benedict C.S.S.
Sebastian	Rapacki	Left Side	12	Resurrection C.S.S.

First-Team All-Stars (Junior):

First Name	Last Name	Position	Grade	School
Seth	Bergen	Outside	10	Rockway M.C.
Andrew	Cekan	Outside	10	Monsignor Doyle C.S.S.
Alexi	Ekonomovski	Setter	9	St. Benedict C.S.S.
Drew	Harris	Middle	10	St. Benedict C.S.S.
James	Paquette	Outside	10	St. David C.S.S.
Liam	Peters	Middle	10	Resurrection C.S.S.
Maxim	Schmidt	Setter	10	E.S.C. Père-René-de-Galinée

Second Team All-Stars (Junior):

First Name	Last Name	Position	Grade	School
Aldric	Dela Cruz	Middle	9	St. David C.S.S.
Luca	Dumbrova	Setter	10	Resurrection C.S.S.
Gavin	Goodwin	Middle	10	Monsignor Doyle C.S.S.
Jacob	Harrison	Left Side	9	St. Benedict C.S.S.
Jay	Ishimwe	Middle	10	E.S.C. Père-René-de-Galinée
Elliot	Wiersema	Setter	10	Woodland Christian H.S.