If the second part of the season reflects anything like the first in OCAA Men’s Volleyball then it looks as though a new champion will be crowned this year. The defending Humber Hawks have struggled throughout the year and face the possibility of not making the playoffs entering ’06 with a 3-4 record. As we begin the 2006 Men’s Volleyball season, the Mohawk Mountaineers and Durham Lords look to continue their success on the court as both teams are undefeated and lead their region. With a new year comes new energy and enthusiasm, 2006 looks to be an exciting year in OCAA Men’s Volleyball.

Central East Region – The Durham Lords look poised to take the Central East Region title as they are sitting in the top spot with a 7-0 record. In the second half of the season the Lords host two division match-ups against Boreal and Cambrian. The Lords will be looking to capture their second consecutive regional title and look for their third consecutive OCAA bronze medal or better. The Lords are led by second-year David Crabbe who averages 5.0 PPG. Durham has not lost a regular season match since November 26, 2004 vs. Algonquin.

The Seneca Sting (4-3) and Georgian Grizzlies (4-2) are tied for second with four wins but Georgian has a game in hand.

Brett Dailey of the Seneca Sting leads the scoring race in the central east averaging 5.27 PPG. Not far behind Dailey is Eric Talsma of Georgian averaging 5.26 PPG.

East Region – The Loyalist Lancers (5-2) and Algonquin Thunder (5-1) are currently tied for first place with 10-points, but Loyalist has one game in hand. The Trent Excalibur will look to gain some ground on the Lancers and Thunder in the New Year as they sit third in standings with a 4-4 record. Last year Algonquin narrowly won the division over Loyalist by one game.

Quentin Skinner, a third-year from the Loyalist Lancers is on top of the east region-scoring race averaging 4.37PPG. Mathieu Gatien of La Cite trails slightly by an average of 4.24 PPG.

Central West Region – The Mohawk Mountaineers have proven their dominance in the region boasting an undefeated 6-0 record. The Mountaineers breezed through 2005 winning 18 games and losing only 2 to the competition. Brent Carter of Mohawk leads his team and the central west region averaging 4.25 PPG. If the Mountaineers continue their excellent play they are definitely one of the strongest contenders for the title this year. Mohawks last men’s volleyball title was in 1985-86.

The Nipissing Lakers (4-2) sit in second while the defending champion Humber Hawks are in third with a 3-4 record. Last year’s central west region winner was Humber with a 13-0 record.

A trio of players is currently on top the standings for the central west-scoring race. Brent Carter of Mohawk leads the race with 4.25 PPG, Seamus Strutt of Nipissing is close behind averaging 4.14PPG, while Tarun Swaroop of Humber rounds out the top three at 4.00 PPG.

West Region – With four teams within four points of each other, the west region is the most competitive region as we enter the New Year. The Fanshawe Falcons are leading the way with a 6-1 record. The Falcons are on a 6-game winning streak, not losing since their first match on October 16th (vs. Mohawk). Leading the Falcon’s squad and the region in scoring is standout rookie Justin Guerin averaging 4.12 PPG.

The Niagara Knights are in second place by one game at 5-2, while the St.Clair Saints (4-4) and Redeemer Royals (4-2) battle for third. Last year’s west region title went to the Fanshawe Falcons.

Justin Guerin of Fanshawe is having an exceptional first year serving up 4.12 PPG to lead the west region-scoring race. James Smyth of St.Clair only trails Guerin by only .04.

WATCH OUT FOR
The Nipissing Lakers currently sit second in the competitive central west region with a 4-2 record. Led by second-year Seamus Strutt (4.14 PPG), the Lakers will look to maintain their second place position and challenge the Mohawk Mountaineers for first place in the central west region. The Lakers have an excellent chance to qualify and excel at the OCAA Championships. The lakers look to continue their strong play in 2006 as they have won 4 of their last 5 matches.

CHECKING THE RECORD BOOK….on the road to winning
- Brett Dailey of Seneca broke Nat Ovsenek’s (Durham) most kills in a match record of 27 earlier this season smashing 30 kills in one match.

- Brett Dailey of Seneca also broke the record this season for most points in a match scoring 39 points. The previous record was 33, set by Tim Trites of Fleming in 2003-04.

- Eric Talsma of Georgian and Dave Berghout of Redeemer look to break the OCAA record for most aces in a season (37). Talsma currently has 20 aces, while Berghout has 19 aces and both athletes have 7 games remaining on the season.

UPCOMING EVENTS
- The 2006 OCAA Volleyball All-Star game will be taking place on Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the Seneca College Sports Centre in North York, ON. The Men’s Game will start at 3:30 PM. Click here to find out more information about the all star game.

- The OCAA Championships will be taking place from February 23-25 at Humber College in Etobicoke, ON. Click here to check out the official website of the 2005-06 OCAA Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Championships.