The Canisius Volleyball team embarked on trip to Puerto Rico for the Jesuit Classic to do more than just play the game. 

From Oct. 12 to Oct. 16, the Crusaders competed in only Jesuit volleyball tournament in the country, joining Loyola Blakefield of Maryland, McQuiad Jesuit of Rochester, and host school Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Canisius earned pool play victories before finished fourth in the very competitive enviornment. 

"Traveling to Puerto Rico to participate in the Volleyball Jesuit Invitational Tournament was a memory I wll never forget," remarked Coach Angelo Calabrese '00. "The opportunity to immerse ourselves in a different culture while seeing similarities in faith was amazing."

Along with volleyball, the teams participated in multiple service activities. The boys helped out at Bill's Kitchen which is the only program in Puerto Rico that provides free food and medical nutrition therapy to people living with HIV/AIDS. They also volunteered their time with a local shelter that helps the mentally challenged and homeless of the area. 

The Crusaders shadowed with the students of Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola to experience the day in the life of Jesuit High School students in a different culture.

"It was really nice and exciting to see the different cultures," said Aaron Jones '24. "They all came together as one, as a family, and played volleyball."

The players also had other opportunities for team bonding experiences as they emersed themselves in the culture of Puerto Rico.