Congratulations to our November School Sport New Brunswick Athletes of the month, Gabby and Xavier A dedicated member of the Lady Spartans Hockey Team, Gabby Hyslop has been a standout presence both on and off the ice early this season. She currently leads the team with six goals and three assists through four regular-season games, showcasing her skill and consistency. However, her impact goes far beyond the scoresheet — Gabby brings an upbeat, cheerful energy to every practice and game, keeping her teammates laughing and the team environment positive. Chosen by her peers as an assistant captain, Gabby consistently demonstrates leadership, grit, and a team-first attitude. Xavier is a multi-sport athlete. He has been on the hockey team since ninth grade, played soccer from ninth to eleventh grade, and decided to play football in twelfth grade, winning the Most Improved Player award, which demonstrates his ability to learn quickly. He is also a key player on the volleyball team. He achieves excellent academic results while playing these many sports and working a part-time job. Before his recent injury, he was the top scorer on the Castors hockey team. He is working hard to return to play for the playoffs and his school volleyball season. He is an example of determination and fully embodies the values of the SSNB. Congratulations to both athletes and thank you to the coaches and staff for taking the time to acknowledge these amazing students.
Félicitations à nos athlètes du mois de novembre de Sport Scolaire Nouveau-Brunswick, Gabby et Xavier. Membre dévouée de l’équipe de hockey Lady Spartans, Gabby Hyslop s’est distinguée tant sur la glace qu’en dehors depuis le début de la saison. Elle mène l’équipe avec six buts et trois passes décisives en quatre matchs de saison régulière, démontrant ainsi son talent et sa constance. Cependant, son influence va bien au-delà du tableau d’affichage : Gabby apporte une énergie positive et joyeuse à chaque entraînement et à chaque match, faisant rire ses coéquipières et créant une ambiance positive au sein de l’équipe. Choisie par ses coéquipières comme capitaine adjointe, Gabby fait constamment preuve de leadership, de détermination et d’un esprit d’équipe. Xavier est un athlète multisports. Il fait partie de l’équipe d’hockey depuis la 9e année, soccer de 9e à 11e et a décidé de jouer au football en 12e année et a remporté le prix du joueur le plus amélioré, ce qui démontre son habileté d’apprendre rapidement. Il est également un joueur clé dans l’équipe de volleyball. Il obtient d’excellent résultats scolaires tout en jouant ces nombreux sports et en gardant un emploi à temps partiel. Avant sa récente blessure, il était le meilleur compteur de l’équipe d’hockey des Castors. Il travail fort pour revenir au jeu pour les séries et sa saison de volleyball scolaire. Il est l’exemple de la détermination et inculque pleinement les valeurs de la SSNB. Félicitations aux deux athlètes et merci aux entraîneurs et au personnel d’avoir pris le temps de reconnaître ces élèves extraordinaires.
School Sport Alberta’s Male Athlete of the Month!
Big congratulations to Kaden McGhie for being named our newest Athlete of the Month sponsored by Alberta Milk!!
A shortened season can’t slow down Kaden, who made every snap count!
In just 3 games, he put up jaw-dropping numbers: 26 rushes for 456 yards; 3 rushing touchdowns; 1 passing touchdown; Plus a kickoff return taken all the way to the house
Kaden’s impact on the field was undeniable, and his performance this season set the bar incredibly high.
As Athlete of the Month, Kaden receives a certificate, a $50 gift card, and an Alberta Milk toque!
School Sport Alberta’s Female Athlete of the Month!
Congratulations to Payton Perras for being named Athlete of the Month sponsored by Alberta Milk!!
This season, Payton set the tone for her team, including arriving early to set up nets, leading warm-ups, and bringing unmatched energy every time she stepped into the gym. Whether she’s on the court or cheering from the bench, Payton gives 100% effort and pushes those around her to be their best.
Talented, smart, and always hungry to improve, Payton elevates her team not only with her athleticism, but with her sportsmanship, leadership, and integrity. She’s the kind of athlete every program hopes to have and we arere proud to recognize her this month!
As Athlete of the Month, Payton receives a certificate, a $50 gift card, and an Alberta Milk toque!
Congratulations to our November 2025 Athlete of the Month Presented by @BCMilk, Shima Taghavi from Dr. Charles Best!
Congratulations to our November 2025 Athlete of the Month Presented byn@BCMilk, Ayden McDonald from Vernon!
PEISAA Senior Female and Male Athletes of the Month for November
Sr Male Athlete of the Month for November.
Ethan Feehan Morell Senior Male Athlete of the Month for November.
Off the field Ethan Feehan exemplifies the ideal student-athlete. He excels academically while actively participating in student council, where he plays a significant role in organizing events and delivering morning announcements.
On the field Ethan has been pivotal in leading Morell senior men’s soccer team to a championship victory and securing the gold medal this year. Despite having no prior experience in soccer, he has quickly become an outstanding goalkeeper in just his second year, showcasing natural instincts and exceptional diving skills.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Ethan serves as a co-captain due to his leadership qualities and unwavering dedication to the team. He holds himself accountable, prioritizing team success above all. Ethan consistently leads warm-ups, motivates his teammates, and ensures they feel supported. While highly competitive, he remains respectful, kind, and genuine qualities that make him a standout individual and a worthy candidate for Athlete of the Month.
Sr Female Athlete of the Month for November
Shelby Burns – senior female – TOSH.
Dedicated Powerlifter – follows her training program on a weekly basis. Excellent results at qualifier, AAAW soccer – Leader and coachable. Great teammate.
Shelby is a standout AAA soccer player at Three Oaks, where her work ethic, leadership, and positive attitude set the standard for her teammates. Assistant coach Emily Cormier shared:
“Shelby is a hardworking player with a positive attitude who contributes to the team in many ways. She is a strong teammate both on the field and off, always offering encouragement and support. Shelby’s positive outlook and commitment to the game were admired this past season.”
Beyond soccer, Shelby excels in powerlifting, posting impressive current lifts:
• Squat: 231.5 lbs
• Deadlift: 275 lbs
• Bench: 135 lbs
Her passion for the game extends to giving back, as she coaches all ages with Summerside United Soccer Club, while also competing in senior women’s soccer in the indoor league and the upcoming summer league. Shelby plans to continue her journey in Paramedicine at Holland College, carrying forward the same dedication and leadership she shows in athletics.
PEISAA Intermediate Female and Male Athletes of the Month for November
Intermediate Male Athlete of the Month for November
Eduardo “Eddie” Moreira Birchwood
AA Boys soccer silver medalist – scored 2 goals in a 2-1 semifinal win to advance to the provincial finals. Was the team’s leading scorer. He was the teams go to player and leader on the field.
Consistently at practice, encouraging younger players, helped manage team equipment and made sure all team info was relayed to others. He is a kind, friendly and outgoing student and always has a smile on his face. He’s the type of kid you always want around as he lifts everyone else up.
Intermediate Female Athlete of the Month for November
Emma McAree from Montague Intermediate.
Emma is the keeper for this year’s Girls A Soccer Champions. She went 3-1 in the regular season, and 4-0 in the playoffs earning a quarter final eight-person penalty kick win. She made many key saves and was the backbone of the girls’ team being able to repeat as provincial winners.
Emma earned one regular season shutout and two shutouts in the playoffs including one in the gold medal game. She is a positive teammate and leads the pre-game cheer to get the team ready to play each game.
Emma is a great leader on the field by using her voice and keeping her teammates positive throughout each game they played this season.
Paulou Ittunga Memorial Volleyball – Three East Secondary School
There were 3 divisions this year, with 134 total participants, that included representation from communities throughout the Beaufort Delta (Inuvik, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Ft. McPherson, Aklavik, and Tsiightchic)
Youth– with 2 teams of Grade 6/7/8 students boys and girls mixed. (Approximately 16 participants)
Women’s– we had 10 teams, which included both of our Grade 9-10 girls teams, and our Grade 9-10 boys team) (Approximately 76 participants).
Winner– Attack Pack
Men’s- we had 6 teams, which included our Grade 11-12 boys team. (Approximately 42 participants)
Winner– Jarvis Mitchell’s Team
It was a fun-filled weekend, with the youth teams learning and getting better every game in preparation for the Yukon School Championships in Whitehorse, Yukon held November 27-29, 2025.
All Stars: Teslyn Beauchamp Hapnot Kopper Kweens; Jenna Falk, Rosenort Redhawks; Abbie Parker, Gabrielle-Roy Les Roys; Sylvie Lemoine, Gabrielle-Roy Les Roys; Torie Galbraith, Warren Wildcats; Paige Seidel, Warren Wildcats
MVP: Julia Oliver, Warren Wildcats
Carberry Collegiate Institute
All Stars & MVP
All Stars: Jorey Reichmuth, Major Pratt; Zach Rolland, Goose Lake; Tosh Johnson, Goose Lake; Gabriel Mignault, Carberry; Darius Schiemer, Immanuel Christian; Jack Hutton, Elton Collegiate
Players Choice Award: Alfredo Enns Garden Valley Collegiate
All Star: Nolin Gallagher – Linden Christian; Sam Clarke – College Louis Riel; Adrain Buenaventura – Garden Valley Collegiate; Noah Vanden Berg – Garden Valley Collegiate; Lucas Gamache; Sam Rempel
Tournament MVP: Aiden Moore
Boston Pizza Provincial AAAA Volleyball Final Four
Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Players Choice Award: Linnae Johnson – Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens
Player Awards – Boys
MVP: Liam Mancer – St. Paul’s Crusaders
All-Stars: Jordan Bagnas – Dakota Lancers; Erik Neufeld – Steinbach Regional Sabres; Daniel Rom – Dakota Lancers; Oluwafisayomi Sofoluwe – St. Paul’s Crusaders; Colin Vermette – Gabrielle-Roy Les Roy; James Zang – St. Paul’s Crusaders
Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Players Choice Award: Abu Ebubechukwu – Vincent Massey Trojans
MHSAA 2025 VARSITY VOLLEYBALL PARTICIPANTS
GIRLS
BOYS
A
Elm Creek School
Baldur School/Cartwright Community Independent School (Co-Op)
Gilbert Plains Collegiate Institute
Chemawawin School
Grand Rapids School
Fisher River High School
Hamiota Collegiate Institute
Glenboro School
Miami School
Hamiota Collegiate Institute
Morweena Christian School
Miami School
Reston School
Morweena Christian School
Rivers Collegiate Institute
Rivers Collegiate Institute
Ste Rose School
Riverton Collegiate Institute
Wawanesa School
Wawanesa School
AA
Collège Régional Gabrielle-Roy
Carberry Collegiate Institute
Carberry Collegiate Institute
Elton Collegiate Institute
Goose Lake High School
Goose Lake High School
Green Valley School
Green Valley School
Hapnot Collegiate Institute
Immanuel Christian School
Immanuel Christian School
Major Pratt School
Landmark Collegiate Institute
Margaret Barbour Collegaite Institute
Prairie Mountain High School
Morris School/ École régionale St Jean Baptiste (Co-Op)
Rosenort School
Rosenort School
Warren Collegiate Institute
Warren Collegiate Institute
AAA
Calvin Christian Collegiate Institute
Calvin Christian Collegiate
Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard
Collège Louis-Riel
Churchill High School
Collège Stonewall Collegiate
Collège Stonewall Collegiate
Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School
École secondaire Neelin High School
École secondaire Neelin High School
Garden Valley Collegiate Institute
Garden Valley Collegiate Institute
Linden Christian School
Linden Christian School
Niverville High School
Niverville High School
Virden Collegiate Institute
St John’s High School
St John-Ravenscourt School
St. Maurice High School
W C Miller Collegiate Institute
Steinbach Christian School
Westgate Mennonite Collegiate Institute
Westgate Mennonite Collegiate Institute
AAAA
Collège Jeanne-Sauvé
Collège Collegial Gabrielle-Roy
Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute
Dakota Collegiate Institute
Sturgeon Heights Collegiate
St Paul’s High School (Winnipeg)
Vincent Massey High School (Brandon)
Steinbach Regional Secondary School
Neelin defends AAA varsity boys title
Aiden Moore has once again led the Neelin Spartans to gold.
The Grade 11 setter was named MVP after Neelin defeated Garden Valley 25-21, 25-20 in the final of the AAA varsity boys’ volleyball provincial championship on Saturday.
Spartans attackers Lucas Gamache and Sam Rempel earned all-star nods following the team’s unbeaten run, which included a three-set semifinal victory over Louis-Riel.
With the win, Neelin becomes the first-ever AAA boys’ team to win three golds in a row.
The Neelin girls finished third, beating Stonewall 2-1 in the bronze-medal match after being swept by Altona’s W.C. Miller in the semifinals.
Westgate beat Miller 2-1 in the final.
Neelin’s Katey Ward made the all-star team.
At the AA provincials in Russell, the Carberry Cougars beat the Goose Lake Raiders 18-25, 25-15, 16-14 in the gold-medal match, while the Elton Sabres beat the host Major Pratt Trojans 2-1 for bronze.
Warren beat Gabrielle-Roy 2-0 in the AA girls’ final.
In the A provincials in Brandon, the Glenboro Panthers boys defeated the Miami Marlins 28-26, 30-28 in the final, with Wawanesa knocking off Baldur-Cartwright in straight sets for bronze.
On the girls’ side, the host Rivers Rams fell 2-0 to the Morweena Raptors for gold.
Miami edged Gilbert Plains 2-1 in the third-place match.
See Tuesday’s paper for a full story on the Neelin boys.
» The Brandon Sun
Vikings go back-to-back
By: Thomas Friesemn
WINNIPEG — The Jeanne-Sauve Olympiens fans made a big mistake, calling Hannah McGregor “Overrated.”
For nearly two hours on Monday, the Vincent Massey Vikings superstar proved she was absolutely, without a doubt, Manitoba’s best high school girls’ volleyball player.
McGregor heard the noise, hammered a huge kill, then acknowledged the crowd with a smile that instantly showed she would not be rattled during the AAAA provincial final at the University of Manitoba’s Investors Group Athletic Centre.
McGregor posted an astonishing 26 kills, four aces and 13 digs as the Vikings beat the Olympiens in the final for the second year in a row, 3-1 (25-15, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17).
“It was amazing. It just gave me more fuel to play harder,” the tournament MVP McGregor said of the chants.
The six-foot-one outside hitter started as a sophomore last year and was the catalyst the Vikings needed early in the provincial final.
This year, she was the engine.
“She’s an amazing athlete,” said Massey head coach Kelly DeRoo. “I kind of figured she’d go off in this match and just score, and they weren’t able to shut her down, so (setter) Kaitlyn (Couckuyt) and I had a conversation that unless they start digging her, we might as well just keep giving her the ball.”
While McGregor isn’t used a ton in the back row, Jeanne-Sauve didn’t get much relief during those rotations, as outside hitter Zoe Redekop was also exceptional.
The five-foot-nine senior may not have quite the same attack speed as McGregor, but she was as precise as she was fearless, tacking on 15 kills en route to a tournament all-star selection.
“Zoe does such a great job on out-of-system high sets. She scored on a few that I thought she was just going to roll out of court, but she swung for the fences, and she scored, so it was great,” DeRoo said.
“The first two sets, even, our passing wasn’t great. End of the third, we started passing better, and we weren’t running our middle as much because of our serve receive, so the fact that Hannah and Zoe are able to just find the ball and put it away on a set from the deep corner … it’s a big help in a match.”
Hannah McGregor (3) of the Vincent Massey Vikings leaps to put the ball over the net during the AAAA varsity girls volleyball provincial final against the Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg on Monday evening. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
The Vikings took the No. 2 seed, earning a bye to the quarterfinals. They quickly dispatched the Kelvin Clippers in straight sets on home court on Nov. 22, then defeated the third-ranked Sturgeon Heights Huskies 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the final.
Jeanne-Sauve was the fourth seed and beat No. 12 Garden City 3-1 in the quarterfinals. It reverse-swept the top-ranked Mennonite Brethren Hawks 3-2 in the semifinals.
The championship nerves were evident on both sides early, with the Olympiens making a few unforced errors early to trail 5-2. The Vikings gave a few points back to let it get tied 6-6.
But soon after, Hayden Wharf stepped back and served a massive six-point run to pull ahead 14-7. The Vikings did their damage while Manitoba’s No. 3-ranked player Celeste Pelletier was stuck in the back row. The setter/opposite was running the offence that desperately needed her scoring, while the other setter/opposite, Leah Derkatch, didn’t record a kill.
Ashley Sullivan served the Olympiens into more trouble and stretched a 16-10 lead to 21-10.
By the time Pelletier was back to her spot at the net, the set was all but over.
“After the first set, I thought I played really good so I thought Kaitlyn would give me a few more extra balls, but I was confident that everybody could play good,” McGregor said.
“Reece (Cowan), our (libero), she gets up everything, and I feel like she needs more recognition, but … everybody plays their part and we wouldn’t be here without everybody on our team.”
Massey fell into a 5-2 hole in the second set but kept plugging away and tied it 8-8.
The match stayed air-tight, with the Vikings leading 18-16 when Sophia Hullick subbed in to serve two huge aces in a row for Massey, on both sides of a Jeanne-Sauve timeout.
The Olympiens erased that four-point lead in a hurry on a few bad Viking passes and strong block defence on McGregor, who was more or less unstoppable to that point.
However, McGregor simply hit an even sharper cross-court shot after CJS tied it 22-22, painting the sideline to pull ahead. Then the best player in the province took an out-of-system set three metres off the net and chipped it down the line, off the block and out to bring up set point.
McGregor got blocked two points later, but scored off hands to retake the lead, then did it again to end the set and lead 2-0.
Pelletier led Jeanne-Sauve to success in the third as it raced ahead 10-4 in the third before Hullick launched a few more aces to narrow the gap. Massey tied it 12-12, but undid all its hard work on two quick scoring runs and trailed 18-13.
McGregor blasted a kill to send herself back to the service line down 20-15, then, as the Olympiens’ faithful chanted “Overrated” each time she stepped back with the ball in her hands, she served seven straight points with two aces and a few big-time Redekop kills before catching the back line on a back-row attack to pull ahead 21-20.
The Vikings led 23-21, but missed a serve and shanked two passes to fall behind and ultimately lose the set, keeping the Olympiens alive for a fourth.
DeRoo knew CJS was capable of overcoming a big deficit after the semifinal, but refocused her group well.
“I just reminded our girls that we’re here to win the match and we just need to win one more set, so that was our focus — worry about our side of the court, eliminate our errors and make sure that we’re scoring, and they were able to do that. They kind of just forgot about the third set and refocused themselves,” DeRoo said.
The Vikings turned it around with their defence.
After McGregor scored cross-court and down the line, McGregor and Wharf made back-to-back blocks to lead 6-2. Ella VanDaele and Sullivan got in on the block party for a few more to go up 9-3.
The large cushion proved helpful to shake off a few errors that otherwise could have rattled the Vikings more. They were able to laugh them off and keep getting into perfect positions to block, then find open court to tip when their big swings weren’t working.
The Vikings couldn’t help but smile between points with a 22-14 lead. They could see the end — the one they worked so hard for — in sight, and just had fun with it.
“I just think when we’re having fun, that brings out the best in all of us, and that really brought out the best in me,” Redekop said.
Massey got a little too excited and hammered the ball well out of the court on two championship points, but McGregor put the finishing touch on it with plenty of points to spare.
“This feels unreal right now,” Redekop said. “I’m just really grateful for this experience and to make it here with the people that were by my side through it all. That just really means a lot.
“Our whole team tried to look at it as the butterflies being more of an excitement and ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’ We have to feel that, over the nervousness that it could also be. Taking that and being confident with it really brought us to the end.”
Hullick finished with five aces, while Cowan made 10 digs and VanDaele posted four blocks.
The future is up in the air for McGregor, who’s moving to Saskatoon in the new year to play for Huskie Volleyball Club.
But she knew she wanted to deliver at least one more time for Massey, and she certainly did.
“It was amazing. I feel like in Grade 10 I was a bit more nervous but I knew my role this year and I was pretty calm all game,” McGregor said.
“I think that was my best game today and I’m happy I got to finish it off like that.”
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com
Crusaders oust Roys in straight sets
St. Paul’s and Dakota to go head-to-head for boys provincial volleyball glory
Few have been able to contain the St. Paul’s Crusaders’ offence this year, and that trend continued Thursday night.
The No. 1 Crusaders’ high-powered attack repeatedly flexed its muscles as they overwhelmed No. 4 Gabrielle-Roy Les Roys en route to a 3-0 (25-16; 25-13; 27-25) triumph in the first match of the AAAA varsity boys volleyball provincial semifinals at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
St. Paul’s will play the Dakota Lancers for the provincial championship Monday, back at IGAC (8 p.m.).
BROOK JONES / FREE PRESSDakota Lancers’ Jordan Bagnas spikes the ball while the Steinbach Sabres’ Joseph LeClair (No. 15) goes for the block Thursday night.
“Our game plan in this matchup was to swing,” said Crusaders middle Cy Hoorne, who was second on the team with eight kills. “I know I didn’t do much swinging, but our goal was to put the ball to the ground as quick as possible, because if they get a dig, their whole momentum goes up. That’s really it — put the ball to the floor and swing.”
The Crusaders return to the title match for the second year in a row and third time in the last four years, in search of their first championship since 2015.
They feel this year’s story will have a different ending.
“Everyone’s buying in. Everyone wants to win,” said Hoorne, who also had three aces and a block. “So I feel like if we all want to win, we’ll all try, and we’ll bust our butts, and then we’ll be fine.”
Head coach Dustin Spiring said his program’s experience will continue to play a major role in the championship.
“We have a lot of Grade 12s — a lot of good Grade 12s — in important positions, too,” he said. “And so I think they’re more ready for the task. And then our young guys, I mean, our Grade 10, Oluwafisayomi Sofoluwe was absolutely fantastic today. Our young guys, Ethan McNaught stepped up, too. I think we’re just more experienced and more prepared.”
St. Paul’s star outside hitter Liam Mancer, who was voted the top player in the province by a panel of coaches, was outstanding with a match-high 18 kills, including eight in the deciding set.
Nathan Brzak supplied 10 kills, while McNaught helped with six kills, a block and an ace.
“Guys like Cy and Oluwafisayomi will open up Liam, and allow him to be who he is and have the success he had tonight. James (Zang) did an awesome job moving the ball around, our passers passed very well, and then, yeah, Liam’s obviously very skilled, very big, strong, athletic guy,” said Spiring. “I think if we can set all of our hitters at all points, we’re gonna be a dangerous offence.”
St. Paul’s victory didn’t come without some adversity.
After having no answer for the Crusaders’ heavy hitters in the first two sets, Gabrielle-Roy had their opponents on the ropes in the third set, holding multiple leads late in the frame, including set point at 25-24.
Earlier in the frame, the Crusaders were dealt with unfavourable calls on three consecutive points. Brzak, who pleaded to officials on his coach’s behalf, was dealt a yellow card, as the Gabrielle-Roy crowd grew louder and the squad had legitimate life for the first time all match.
Spiring rallied the troops during a timeout.
“Just to reset and take a deep breath. We can side out against any team, and then we’re a good serving team, and if we execute our blocking defence, then we’re able to beat any team and stop them for points in a row,” Spiring told his team.
“It was definitely a good mental bounce back for sure.”
Logan Barnabé, voted the No. 2 player in the province, logged 10 kills and one ace for Les Roys, while Marek Goller supplied four kills. Kiel LaRochelle, Colin Vermette and Jamie Barnabé each had three kills apiece.
“We’ve had one goal in mind all year, and it’s been a provincial championship,” said Spiring. “So we’re counting down the sets here, and we’re excited to be back. I think the Grade 12s this year, who were in Grade 11 last year and played in it, know the atmosphere and know the pressure, and they wanted it all year long. We’re really, really thrilled.”
Meanwhile, the Dakota Lancers head to the provincial championship for the first time since 2023, in search of their first title since 2019 after earning a hard-fought 3-0 (26-24; 25-21; 25-20) victory over the Steinbach Regional Sabres in the second semifinal.
he Sabres had been a thorn in the side of the Lancers, but not on this night.
Dakota’s potent attack was led by a pair of young Grade 11 stars in Daniel Rom and Jordan Bagnas, who each had 13 kills.
Another Grade 11 talent, Quade Wortley, contributed four kills and a pair of aces.
For the Sabres, Mason Bergen led the offence with nine kills, while Liam Paton supplied eight kills and an ace.