SECOND SERVING

The latter half of the 2014-15 OCAA men's volleyball regular season will begin this Wednesday as 19 teams race for the 11 available post-season positions.

Only the St. Clair Saints are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs as host of this year's OCAA Men's Volleyball Championship, taking place in Windsor, Ont. from Feb. 27 to March 1.

Thirty-three days will have elapsed between OCAA regular season matches, but teams have not been idle during the December break. On the contrary, most programs have been active preparing for the home stretch of matches that will define their respective seasons.

The Niagara Knights took advantage of home court in its own invitational tournament. Niagara defeated west regional rival Fanshawe 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 26-24) in the gold medal match after wins over Algonquin, Georgian and Trent. Fanshawe went undefeated in its bracket, defeating Durham, George Brown and St. Clair. Durham won the bronze medal match 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-20) over east regional rival Georgian. Third-year outside hitter Jeff Scott (Georgetown, Ont.) of Niagara was named tournament MVP.

Across the provincial border, a rematch of last season's OCAA final took place between west region front runners Humber and Mohawk in the finale at the annual Limoilou tournament in Quebec City, with Humber prevailing 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-21). All-time OCAA points leader Terrel Bramwell (Mississauga, Ont.) was selected as tournament MVP. Humber was undefeated, going 5-0 against RESQ competition, while Mohawk also 5-0 before the finale against Quebec teams and OCAA's Boreal.

FAB FIVE

Here are five upcoming regular season matches worth noting during the next six weeks.

Algonquin at Fleming, Jan. 9 - With frontrunner Durham staking itself to a three-game lead in the east standings, a regional title may be a foregone conclusion. Algonquin and Fleming are currently tied for second place at 6-3; the winner gets an inside track towards a bye into the OCAA championship.

Humber at Sheridan, Jan. 14 - Having already equaled its win total from last season, the Sheridan Bruins are making noise in the OCAA west, including a five-set win over Humber on Nov. 19. Can lightning strike twice for the Bruins in this battle between second place teams?

Canadore at Georgian, Feb. 7 - Canadore, Seneca and Trent are tied for the final three playoff spots in the east region at 5-4. Georgian trails this group by one game due to a loss in a fifth and deciding set at Canadore on Nov. 2. Georgian can't afford to lose this time around.

Mohawk at Humber, Feb. 12 - A rematch of last season's OCAA gold medal match, four of the past five matches between these teams (not including the result at Limoilou) have gone five sets, including one back on Nov. 15. Very likely, this will be for the west regional title.

Fleming at Trent, Feb. 15 - The last time both Peterborough, Ont., based teams made the OCAA post-season was back in 2009-10. Both Fleming and Trent are off to positive starts in the first half. The regular season finale between these teams may have more than just bragging rights on the line.

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications