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Despite having one of the smallest population bases from which to draw athletes, the Yukon is managing to impress in small doses at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que.

Similar in population size to Nunavut, Team Yukon managed to assemble a team of 99 athletes for this year's Games, and the locals have put together some of their strongest personal performances against the best the country has to offer.

After sweeping Prince Edward Island 3-0 on the volleyball court on Sunday, the Yukon men's volleyball team did it again yesterday, beating the islanders 25-12, 25-15 and 25-12.

The two wins are the first all-time for a volleyball team from the territory at the Canada Games.

Russ Tait's team also impressed in their match against New Brunswick Tuesday, but eventually lost 3-0.

Yukon chef de mission Trevor Twardochleb said he watched the Yukon battle Newfoundland to five sets Monday, before losing.

"That was a terrific performance,鈥� he said from Sherbrooke early this afternoon. "I think if we had another crack at Newfoundland, we would win it.鈥�

In the pool, meanwhile, Yukon swimmers continued to rack up personal-best times during the first week of Games competition.

Coach Kat Zrum said the young Glacier Bears have performed admirably on the country's biggest stage.

"They've been really focused and they've been going into the water giving everything that they've got,鈥� she told the Star.

"The atmosphere is really exciting. When the relays are happening, the cheering 鈥� the whole pool is so loud and noisy, people have earplugs on,鈥� Zrum explained.

"It's just contagious. When you see some people swim some really fast races and you see phenomenal technique, you get caught up in it. It's really motivating and it encourages you to do well. It gives our swimmers something to strive for when they get back and are swimming back and forth in the wintertime.鈥�

The 50-metre long course pool has also helped with swim times, she admitted.

Emily Crist, Ben Janzen, Haley Braga, Taylor Harvey and Dannica Nelson each turned in personal-best times in the last two days of competition.

"As I watch all our kids compete, you can see how much better they get,鈥� said Twardochleb. "They're feeling a bit more comfortable. When you have this type of competition, it really brings out the best in people.鈥�

Twardochleb said despite some lopsided losses to the country's top provinces, simply attending a major competition like the Games is a win for any athlete.

"We come to the Games knowing that some of these larger provinces are going to make it difficult for us, but there's a lot of other Maritime provinces that are in the same boat,鈥� he explained. "When we get matched up with them, the competitions for us are a lot more competitive.

"The Games are much more than just the competition. Our athletes get to see the best in Canada, some of which will go on to the Olympics, and they see what it takes to be a winner. These are the kinds of opportunities that push you to be a better athlete. There's little victories every time you go out. And there's an unbelievable amount of support for the underdogs.鈥�

Twardochleb also confirmed that no Yukon athletes were affected by an evacuation that occurred Tuesday when an armed man was involved in a domestic disturbance near an athletes' residence.

Other territorial teams competing at the Games this week include the women's soccer team, women's volleyball team, mountain biking team and tennis team.

After tennis teams were eliminated from competition early, they took advantage of Sherbrooke's close proximity to Montreal, where Rogers Cup action is underway.

Local athletes spent time courtside, and got to see both Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal compete.

The Yukoners were even granted a chance to meet Czech player Lukas Rosol in person following his practice session.

The Yukon remains one of five jurisdictions without medals, the others being New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and Nunavut.

Ontario leads the standings with 64 medals, including 32 golds. Alberta and Quebec are second and third, with 41 and 38 medals respectively.