The Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) Round of 16 matches have been set for men’s volleyball, with eight sudden death matches taking place this weekend.
The OCAA volleyball playoffs will take on a different format than years past. Eight teams in each division advance to the post-season, competing in an inter-divisional crossover round based on seeding. Winners advance to the quarter-finals next weekend. All matches in the opening two rounds will be hosted by the higher seeded team.
The four remaining teams will advance to the OCAA championship, hosted by the top remaining seed. The OCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship will take place Feb. 23-25.
Niagara (11-7, 6th West) vs. Algonquin (14-4, 3rd East)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 2 p.m.
The Niagara Knights visit the Algonquin Wolves in the opening round of the playoffs for the second straight season. Algonquin took last year’s match in straight sets.
Third-year middle Connor Finnie (Ottawa) of the Wolves was one of two players to record over 50 blocks during the regular season.
Third-year outside hitter Ashton Nieuwets (St. Catharines) has played in every regular season match for the Knights, averaging a team-high 2.5 points per set.
Canadore (8-10, 7th East) vs. Fanshawe (13-5, 2nd West)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 3 p.m.
The reigning OCAA silver medalist Fanshawe Falcons are the current runners-up in the West Division, but with a home playoff match for their efforts.
The Falcons have won three straight to enter the post-season with positive momentum. Multi-year players Zack Admans (St. Thomas), Tanner Paterson (Baden) and Daniel Ridings (St. Catharines) are all averaging over three points per set this season for Fanshawe.
The Canadore Panthers are winners of three of their last four matches. Second-year outside hitter Konrad Siedlec (Cambridge) is averaging 3.4 points and 2.71 kills per set for the Panthers.
Durham (8-10, 6th East) vs. St. Clair (13-5, 3rd West)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 4:30 p.m.
The St. Clair Saints made history this season, setting a new program high in wins with 13. The Saints will now host their first-ever OCAA crossover match.
St. Clair’s second-year outside hitter Kale Wilkinson (Windsor) leads all OCAA student-athletes averaging 4.6 points and 3.96 kills per set.
The other green and gold of the OCAA, the Durham Lords, will look to play spoiler. Third-year outside hitters William Egan (Cobden) and Tyler Jegen (Calgary, Alta.) have combined for 325 kills for the Lords during the regular season.
Humber (12-6, 5th West) vs. George Brown (11-7, 4th East)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 6 p.m.
The three-time reigning OCAA champion Humber Hawks are in the unfamiliar position of beginning the post-season on the road.
Winners of three straight, Humber features second-year left side Marcus Morgan (Fort Erie) who is averaging 3.5 points and 2.70 kills per set.
Despite a two-match losing streak, the George Brown Huskies had quite the turnaround, winning eight more matches than a regular season ago. George Brown’s first-year outside hitter David Froebel (Vandorf) is averaging 3.4 points and 3.04 kills per match.
Redeemer (4-14, 8th West) vs. Georgian (16-2, 1st East)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 7 p.m.
The East Division champion Georgian Grizzlies is the hottest team entering the OCAA post-season with a seven match winning streak.
Georgian’s second-year setter Kenneth Ang (Edmonton, Alta.) leads all OCAA players averaging 9.93 assists per set.
The Redeemer Royals have lost five straight matches. First-year outside hitter Jonah Heidburt (Hamilton) is Redeemer’s offensive leader averaging 3.1 points and 2.29 kills per set.
Mohawk (7-11, 7th West) vs. Centennial (14-4, 2nd East)
Saturday, Feb. 10 – 7 p.m.
Two teams trending in the opposite direction meet when the Centennial Colts host the Mohawk Mountaineers.
The Colts are winners of two straight matches. Centennial’s second-year left side Gianluca Righetto (Mexico) leads all East Division players averaging 4.6 points and 3.70 kills per set.
The Mountaineers have lost two straight matches. First-year outside hitter Alex Jurak (St. Catharines) is Mohawk’s offensive leader averaging 3.4 points and 2.72 kills per set.
Seneca (9-9, 5th East) vs. Cambrian (12-6, 4th West)
Sunday, Feb. 11 – 1 p.m.
The reigning OCAA bronze medalist Cambrian Golden Shield begin their quest for another podium finish at home against the Seneca Sting in one of two Sunday contests.
Cambrian saw its six-match winning streak snapped in its regular season finale against Fanshawe. Fourth-year outside hitter Sven Trodel (Sudbury) is one of five OCAA student-athletes who has averaged over 4.0 points per set during the regular season.
Seneca’s first-year middle Khaled Bryant (Toronto) leads all OCAA student-athletes averaging 0.90 blocks per set.
Fleming (6-12, 8th East) vs. Conestoga (14-4, 1st West)
Sunday, Feb. 11 – 1 p.m.
The Conestoga Condors soared to the top of the West Division standings, winning 10 more matches than they did last season.
Third-year outside hitter Walker Kalin (Kitchener) of the Condors is one of four players to record over 200 kills during the regular season.
Just as Conestoga, the Fleming Phoenix have won two straight matches to enter the post-season on a positive note. Fleming’s offensive leader is third-year player Sam Deschenes (Ottawa) averaging 3.4 points and 2.87 kills per set.
All matches will be web streamed on OCAA LIVE.
– OCAA –
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