The top dozen teams in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) women's volleyball have punched their tickets to the post-season. But only eight will earn an invite to the 2016 OCAA Women's Volleyball Championship, hosted by Canadore College in North Bay, Ont., from Feb. 25-27.

Four teams, including host Canadore (17-3), west regional champion Humber (18-0), east regional champion Durham (19-1) along with west runner-up Niagara (13-5) 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.

Loyalist (12-8, 5th East) at Cambrian (10-8, 4th West)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 12 p.m.

The opening serve of the qualifying round takes place in Sudbury at high noon.

Cambrian is on a mini two-game winning streak, and will put its 7-2 home record on the line. The Golden Shield are led offensively by fifth-year player Sara Charlton (Owen Sound) and her 2.7 points per set average.

Loyalist is coming off a four-set win in its regular season finale against Centennial. The Lancers have arguably the top offensive weapon in the OCAA, as first-year outside hitter Sara Piana Yafu (Ottawa) set new single season records with 325 kills and 402 points. The Lancers were 5-5 on the road this season.

Cambrian was the Cinderella story of the playoffs last year, advancing to the OCAA quarter-finals following an 8-10 regular season record. Loyalist failed to qualify for the post-season in 2014-15.

The winner of this qualifier takes on Durham in the quarter-finals.

St. Clair (10-8, 6th West) at Trent (16-4, 3rd East)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 1 p.m.

The Trent Excalibur have one final opportunity to win an OCAA championship before moving to Ontario University Athletics next season.

Trent has won six straight matches, and was 9-1 at home during the regular season. Statistically, fifth-year player Sarah MacLaren (Renfrew) was in the OCAA top five with a 3.8 points per set average.

St. Clair was 5-4 away from Windsor this season. The Saints are led by second-year outside hitter Shalena Horst (Dutton), who averaged 3.3 points per set during the regular season.

Trent has advanced to the OCAA bronze medal match each of the last two seasons. St. Clair was eliminated in the qualifying round last season at home to eventual silver medalist Durham.

The winner of this qualifier takes on Niagara in the quarter-finals.

Redeemer (10-8, 5th West) at Algonquin (14-6, 4th East)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 3 p.m.

The Algonquin Thunder are winners of four straight matches as they look to put their 7-3 home record on the line against Redeemer.

Algonquin is led by third-year middle Julianna Tebrake (Ottawa) and her 3.6 points per set average. First-year player Breanne Scheerhoorn (Belleville) led the team in kills with 186.

Each match from here on out could be the swan song for OCAA all-time points and kills leader Curtiss Straatsma (Brampton). She was fourth in the OCAA averaging 3.8 points per set.

Provincials host Redeemer advanced to the OCAA semi-finals last season. Algonquin lost in the qualifying round last year in straight sets to Niagara.

The winner of this qualifier takes on Humber in the quarter-finals.

Seneca (11-9, 6th East) at Fanshawe (12-6, 3rd West)
Saturday, Feb. 20 - 6 p.m.

After failing to make the post-season last year, Fanshawe rebounded in 2015-16 and are a win away from an elite eight appearance.

First-year right side Carley Nugteren (Woodstock) was a nice addition for the Falcons this season, averaging 3.3 points per set. Fanshawe is coming off a straight sets loss to Humber, seeing its home record drop to 5-4.

Seneca has won two straight to enter the playoffs on a high. First-year player Nicole Mironov (Toronto) led the Sting offensively averaging 3.0 points per set. Seneca was 5-5 on the road during the regular season.

Seneca dropped its qualifying match in straight sets to Sheridan last season.

The winner of this qualifier takes on host Canadore in the quarter-finals.

- OCAA -

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