Team Yukon junior male volleyball has played it's way to an undefeated record at the Arctic Winter Games, going 9-0 with one game remaining in the preliminary round.

Yukon took a 7-0 record into Wednesday where they faced matches against Alberta North and Nunavut.

In the first match of the day Yukon faced a strong Albertan team that had only suffered one loss in their previous matches, dropping two sets to Yukon, 25-16 and 25-13.

Yukon was able to stay perfect, once again taking the game in two sets 25-19 and 25-15.

In the afternoon they looked to continue their streak against Nunavut and thanks to strong team play and excellent passing, their record was able to remain untarnished.

Yukon defeated Nunavut in two sets, 25-11 and 25-13.

The team has one match remaining in the preliminary round where they will face Northwest Territories for the second time. In their first meeting Yukon defeated N.W.T in two sets.

Yukon's coach Shaun McLoughlin said he's been impressed, but not surprised, with how well the team has played.

One of the team's strengths is their previous experience. The core of the team has been playing together for over a year and has several high profile tournaments under their belts already, including the nationals and the Western Canada Summer Games.

"Our experience definitely gives us an advantage,” McLoughlin said.

"We're a very consistent team and focus on our passing. We know if we make a good pass we'll be able to attack. We take it step by step.”

The team has also played strong at the net with Mason Gray and Henry Kedziora leading the tournaments in the blocks at 16 and 12 apiece.

McLoughlin said one of the team's strategies is to force their opponent into playing their game.

"One of the biggest strengths for us today is we stayed very level and consistent in our play. We stuck to our game plan and forced the other teams to try and change theirs to adapt to us,” he said.

"We played exactly the same way and it worked well for us.”

Daniel Naef, a member of team Yukon who also competed in the last Arctic Winter Games, said the team's cohesiveness has helped lead to their perfect record.

"We've been playing well together and been covering our fundamentals with good passing and hits,” he said.

"Everything has got to come together in tournaments like this and so far for us it's been happening.”

In Naef's experience at the 2010 Games in Grand Prairie, Alta., Yukon lost the finals to Alberta in three sets.

This time around, each of the squads have the best records heading into the playoffs and a repeat match-up seems likely.

Naef said the team is hoping Alberta will be standing across from them in the finals.

"We want to play them,” he said. "We want to get redemption.”

Moving forward, Naef said the team has to keep their composure to stay effective.

"We have to work on our mental game,” he said. "We have to stay focused. If we get down a few points we have to keep ourselves up and bounce back.”

McLoughlin said the team's previous experience is allowing them to peak at the perfect time.

"I've seen them go through ups and downs and it's nice to see it all coming together,” he said. "Everyone has stepped up, no matter which of the 10 players are on the court.”

He said the team is taking each game like it's a job, where they "come out and get it done and then go home.”

McLoughlin believes that attitude puts the team in a favourable mindset moving into the playoffs.

"We know what we have to do and even if we get into trouble, we still move on and get ready for the next thing,” he said. "I think that's going to carry us through and leave us confident, not cocky, which I think is a very good spot to play in.”

As the teams transition into the playoffs the matches are increased in length, from three sets to five.

Naef said those changes add another dynamic to the games.

"The semis are coming up now and it's a whole different game,” he said.

The additional sets will inject the matches with greater intensity and a wider opportunity for success and error.

McLoughlin said the compacted schedule is starting to show its effects on the team.

"After three days of playing your body starts to get tired and you start to feel mentally exhausted,” he said.

Naef said the team has battled the fatigue with the energy boost they receive from playing in front of a hometown crowd.

"It's great to be playing here,” he said. "There's been a big crowd at every game and it feels good to have everyone cheering for you.

"It's been a lot different than Grand Prairie.”

Volleyball Statistics;

Blocks:

Mason Gray - Yukon: 16

Ipeillie Ootoova - Nunavut: 11

Mitchel Horn - N.W.T.: 9

Henry Kedziora - Yukon: 8

Aces:

Albert Spycher - Yukon: 8

Milaud Baumgartner - Alaska: 6

Kyle Monagle- Alberta North: 6

Julian Pape Kofoed - Greenland: 4

Digs:

David Kullualik - Nunavut:10

Jordan Friend - Alaska: 8

Charlie Kedziora - Yukon: 7

Gabe Darku- N.W.T.: 7

Attacks:

Michael Cepuch - Alberta North: 46

Gabe Darku - N.W.T.: 41

Braden Hall -Alaska: 39

Albert Spycher - Yukon: 38