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A key match-up in OCAA women's volleyball will take place on Wednesday against the two top teams in the west region.

The Sheridan Bruins, who have won eight of their last nine regular season matches, will host the undefeated Humber Hawks in what could be a defining match of the 2014-15 regular season.

Second place Sheridan has already had an impressive turnaround from their 3-15 record a season ago. And although the Bruins were handedly swept in straight sets on Humber's home court back on Nov. 19, Sheridan has another opportunity to measure how they stack up against the OCAA's seven-time defending champions.

Humber's next OCAA loss will be a major upset. The Hawks have won 76 consecutive regular season and post-season matches, although they have lost a set in each of their last three matches (yes, this is a bit of a reach).

Wednesday's match will also feature the two top scorers in the OCAA. Fourth-year right side Melissa Cappelletti (Cambridge, Ont.) of Sheridan tops all players averaging 4.3 points per set, marginally better than Humber fourth-year outside hitter Thalia Hanniman (Pembroke, Ont.) and her 4.2 points per set average.

With Redeemer hosting provincials at the end of February, only the top seed in the west region earns an automatic bye into the tournament.

IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH EXCITEMENT

The OCAA standings can change in a blink of an eye.

When the first half of the regular season concluded, east frontrunner Georgian (8-1) held a one-win advantage over Seneca and Trent, both tied with 7-2 records.

While Georgian improved to 9-1 last week, both Durham and Candore leapfrogged Seneca and Trent in the standings. Canadore swept Seneca on the road, while Durham defeated Trent at home in four sets.

Second-year outside hitter Caitlin Hebert (North Bay, Ont.) led the way for the Panthers with 13 points against Seneca, while fourth-year counterpart Jessica Broad (Courtice, Ont.) tallied 19 points in the win for the Lords over Trent.

Canadore and Durham are now tied in second place with 8-3 records. Lo and behold, these teams just happen to meet this Saturday on the Panthers home court.

The winner of this game gains a huge advantage, not only keeping first-place Georgian within reach, but also taking a firm grip on the second bye into the OCAA championship tournament coming out of the east.

The Lords defeated Canadore in four sets at Durham back in November.

DON'T PINCH THE BEAR

While it pales in comparison to Humber's win streak, the Georgian Grizzlies have won seven straight against east opposition.

Georgian is chasing its first OCAA women's volleyball medal since 1982-83 when it won the provincial championship. Finishing in first place is a high priority for the Grizzlies (or other teams in the east for that matter) as it not only gives the team a bye into the OCAA championship, it guarantees avoiding the first place team in the west (likely Humber) until the OCAA gold medal match.

The Grizzlies travel to the nation's capital this weekend to take on Algonquin and La Cité, a pair of sub-.500 teams.

BLOCK PARTY

Five years ago, Durham's Mandi Doris established the OCAA standard for career stuff blocks with 217 over her five-year career.

Until recently, Doris was the only OCAA player to surpass 200 blocks. But two others have joined the double century club, with Doris' record in jeopardy.

Fanshawe fifth-year middle Stephanie Bignell (Drayton, Ont.) now has 211 career stuff blocks after amassing 23 during the first half of the 2014-15 regular season. She is seven away from a new OCAA standard, but she also has someone hot on her heels.

Georgian fifth-year middle Hannah Campbell (Midland, Ont.) recently became the third OCAA player to reach 200 blocks, and now has 202 for her career. She has pulled within nine blocks of Bignell after starting the season 11 in arrears.

The race for the all-time blocks record should go down to the wire between these two OCAA all-stars.

RECENT RESULTS

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications