NATURAL BORN KILLERS

It hasn't been a great season for Shawna Metcalf.

Despite playing her last OCAA match nearly three years ago, the former Cambrian great is taking a beating in the record book. First, she was surpassed by Redeemer's Curtiss Straatsma in both career points and kills. Now Metcalf saw her all-time regular season kills record eclipsed.

Metcalf's 270 kills in 2012-13 was surpassed by Loyalist first-year outside hitter Sara Piana Yafu (Ottawa), who now has 273 kills in 17 matches this season. It has been quite a debut season for Piana Yafu, averaging 5.3 points per set.

Unfortunately there's more bad news on the horizon for Metcalf. Piana Yafu trails Metcalf's single season points record by 10 with three matches remaining.

At least Metcalf's 71 service aces in one season appears out of reach...for now.

NOW OR NEVER

There is just over a week remaining on the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) women's volleyball regular season schedule, with so much left to be decided.

A key match takes place on Tuesday as St. Clair (9-6) hosts Fanshawe (11-5). While it's a long shot for the Saints to catch the Falcons in the standings, St. Clair could strengthened its playoff position with a home victory.

Both teams are streaking in opposite directions. St. Clair has won two straight, while Fanshawe has dropped two consecutive matches. When these teams last met, Fanshawe came back from a one-set deficit to win in four.

Second-year outside hitter Shalena Horst (Dutton) leads St. Clair offensively averaging 3.5 points per set. First-year right side Carley Nugteren (Woodstock) tops all Falcons averaging 3.2 points per set.

THE CHALLENGERS

Six programs from each region will ultimately earn post-season berths. Eight already know there will be more volleyball to play beyond Feb. 17.

In the west, Humber (15-0), Fanshawe and Niagara (11-5) are all headed to the playoffs. Humber has clinched the west regional crown, and will earn an automatic bye to provincials. Fanshawe and Niagara are battling for the other bye, with the Falcons holding the upper hand in the head-to-head tiebreaker.

In the east, five teams have clinched post-season berths, including likely east regional champion Durham (17-1) and championship host Canadore (16-3). Both teams have secured byes to provincials. Trent (14-4), Algonquin (13-6) and Loyalist (11-6) will participate in the qualifying round.

Other than Humber, the aforementioned programs are still jockeying for seeding in their remaining regular season matches.

PATH TO SIXTH

Both Seneca (9-8) and Georgian (9-9) are in a head-to-head battle for the sixth and final playoff berth in the east region.

With Seneca having already swept the season series between these programs, Georgian must finish one win better than the Sting to keep its season alive. With two matches remaining at Canadore and home to Durham, it will be a difficult task for the Grizzlies.

Seneca travels to Durham, hosts Loyalist, then visits George Brown in its regular season finale. While the road to the post-season looks a little easier on paper for the Sting, anything can happen in the OCAA.

WEST WISHES

Four teams are in a battle for the final three playoff positions in the west region.

St. Clair, Redeemer (9-7), Cambrian (9-8) and Sheridan (8-8) still have something to play for the next eight days. All four of these programs advanced to the OCAA post-season last year.

The Saints have a slight advantage with three matches remaining. Following its match against Fanshawe, St. Clair heads to Sudbury this weekend for matches at Boréal and Cambrian.

Redeemer visits Sheridan and Mohawk in a pair of critical matches to conclude its regular season.

Cambrian has only one match remaining. The Golden Shield need to make it count versus St. Clair.

Sheridan, with no margin for error, has a pair of home matches against Redeemer and Niagara.

RECENT RESULTS

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications