The Steinbach Regional varsity boys volleyball team is one win away from capturing the school's first provincial AAAA championship banner in eight years. 

The Sabres defeated the Vincent Massey Trojans 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 at the University of Manitoba's Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg and will face the St. Paul's Crusaders Monday night in the provincial final. 

"It's an unreal feeling," said SRSS setter Boston Thiessen shortly after the Sabres hard-earned sweep over the Trojans. "My brother did it when he was younger, so I got to follow those shoes too. It's an unreal feeling, one of a lifetime for sure."

Boston's brother Sawyer played on the Sabres 2017 AAAA junior varsity boys championship team. 

On Thursday night at the U of M, neither side was able to pull away and enjoy a comfortable lead until late in the third set when the Trojans looked like they were going to extend the match. 

With middle Micah Bergman on the service line, the Sabres turned a 22-19 deficit into a 24-22 lead and then closed out the set and the semifinal two points later. 

Steinbach Regional head coach Joe Thiessen said the team's chemistry played a huge role in their third set comeback.

"We've been doing that all year. We never sort of waver too much. Whatever the score is, as long as it's within reach, we keep battling. I've got to give the guys credit, our leadership on the floor takes care of a lot of that. That part was great. No panic in that third set."

The Crusaders beat Lord Selkirk 25-22, 26-24, 18-25. 25-21 in the other semifinal.

The Sabres and Crusaders will meet Monday night with the first serve at 8 p.m. at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

Boston Thiessen says the team is looking forward to playing in the championship final. 

"I'm going to be counting down the hours and it's going to be a good match for sure."

Steinbach Regional got over a huge hump on Thursday night as the SRSS had lost the past three semifinals to the eventual provincial champion - the Dakota Lancers in 2018 & 2019 and the Westgate Wings in 2021.

The Sabres won the Provincial AAAA varsity boys championship in 2014 in four sets over Lord Selkirk.