The top dozen teams in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's volleyball have punched their tickets to the post-season. But only eight will earn an invite to the 2016 OCAA Men's Volleyball Championship, hosted by Seneca College in North York, Ont., from Feb. 25-27.
Four teams, including host Seneca (16-4), west regional champion Fanshawe (16-2), east regional champion Fleming (16-4) along with west runner-up Niagara (14-4) have all been awarded byes directly into the quarter-finals which take place on Feb. 25.
For the other eight teams, their fate will be determined this weekend in the OCAA qualifying round. Teams will play an opponent from the opposite division based on seeding for the opportunity to advance to provincials.
Here is a look at the four qualifying matches.
Redeemer (11-7, 5th West) at Trent (15-5, 4th East)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 3 p.m.
The Trent Excalibur have one last chance to win an OCAA medal before moving to Ontario University Athletics next season.
Trent saw its five match winning streak snapped in its regular season finale to crosstown rival Fleming, a five-set loss. The Excalibur are led by fourth-year outside hitter Andrew Kretz (St. Catharines) and his 2.31 kills and 2.7 points per set averages.
Redeemer has dropped two straight and four of its last five matches. Second-year left side Mitchell Harris (Smithville) led the Royals with 160 kills averaging 3.0 points per set.
Trent was 8-2 at home this season, compared to Redeemer's 4-5 road record. The Excalibur lost in four sets at home to eventual OCAA champion Niagara in the qualifying round last season. Redeemer failed to qualify for the post-season in 2014-15.
The winner of this qualifier takes on Fanshawe in the quarter-finals.
George Brown (8-12, 6th East) at Sheridan (13-5, 3rd West)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 6 p.m.
The Sheridan Bruins have serious momentum heading into the post-season, winners of eight straight matches. They have lost just one set during this stretch.
Fifth-year veteran Josh Butler (London) led the Bruins offensively during the regular season averaging 3.4 points per set.
George Brown is the only sub-.500 team to advance to the post-season, dropping two straight matches. Third-year right side D'Artaniel Jackman (Toronto) does the heavy lifting for the Huskies averaging 3.5 points per set.
Sheridan was 6-3 at home during the regular season. George Brown was 4-6 on the road. The Bruins are looking to return to the OCAA championship for the second straight season. The Huskies finished out of the playoffs in 2014-15.
The winner of this qualifier takes on host Seneca in the quarter-finals.
Georgian (14-6, 5th East) at Mohawk (13-5, 4th West)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 7 p.m.
The Mohawk Mountaineers won two straight games against playoff bound teams to end their regular season on a high note.
Mohawk has a record of 7-2 at home. Mountaineers third-year outside hitter Eric Girard (Ottawa) led the west region in offence averaging 4.1 points per set.
Georgian lost its regular season finale at home to Durham in four sets. Grizzlies fourth-year player Jason Grimm (Orangeville) also averaged 4.1 points per set during the regular season. Georgian was 7-3 away from Barrie this season.
Mohawk is reigning OCAA bronze medalists. The Grizzlies failed to make the post-season in 2014-15.
The winner of this qualifier takes on Fleming in the quarter-finals.
Humber (10-8, 6th West) at Durham (16-4, 3rd East)
Sunday, Feb. 21 - 3 p.m.
Two teams coming off victories in each of their regular season finales meet on Sunday to determine who advances to the OCAA's elite eight.
Host Durham had identical 8-2 records at home and on the road during the regular season. Fourth-year left side Matt McGirr (Brampton) is the offensive leader on the Lords averaging 3.7 points per set.
First-year outside hitter Clayton Blanchette (St. Catharines) is averaging 3.0 points per set for the Humber Hawks. Similar to Durham, Humber has identical home and away records of 5-4.
Durham and Humber both participated at last year's provincials. Only one will earn an invite this Sunday.
The winner of this qualifier takes on Niagara in the quarter-finals.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 11 sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com