TORONTO - The top eight teams are set to compete for provincial hardware at the 2018 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Volleyball Championship presented by belairdirect. The event is being hosted by Centennial College in Scarborough, Ont., from Thursday through Saturday.
The biggest challenge for competitors is whether there is a team that can knock off 10-time defending OCAA champion Humber Hawks, who will make the short trek across Highway 401. Humber has not lost an OCAA-sanctioned match since Feb. 13, 2011, a span of 149 matches.
With a 7-2 regular season mark, the Centennial Colts look to defend their home court in search of their first provincial medal since 1989. With an overall record of 15-3, and a 12-match win streak, it is easily Centennial's best season since its return to women's volleyball in 2015-16.
The Loyalist Lancers won the East Division title with a mark of 16-2, having won 11 of their last dozen matches. These provincials will be geographically tilted, however, with six of the eight teams residing in the West Division, including the Fanshawe Falcons, Mohawk Mountaineers, Niagara Knights, St. Clair Saints and Sheridan Bruins. All teams have won a minimum of 12 regular and post-season matches for a competitive field.
A total of 11 matches will be played in a span of three days. The OCAA quarter-finals will take place on Thursday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. Winning teams will advance to the OCAA semi-finals on Friday, followed by the bronze and gold medal matches on Saturday.
While each team is guaranteed at least two matches, they must win their quarter-final match to remain in OCAA medal contention. Losing teams in the quarter-finals will compete in the consolation round Friday, with the final taking place Saturday.
The OCAA champion advances to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Volleyball National Championship, taking place in Grande Prairie, Alta. next month.
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/wvb
Championship Webcast: www.youtube.com/channel/UCj3xnVFGSlDcN-DNAtt6y7Q
Championship Schedule
Thursday, February 22
Quarter-Finals
Game 1: Niagara vs. Fanshawe - 1 p.m.
Game 2: Sheridan vs. Loyalist - 3 p.m.
Game 3: St. Clair vs. Centennial - 6 p.m.
Game 4: Mohawk vs. Humber - 8 p.m.
Friday, February 23
Consolation Round
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 - 1 p.m.
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 - 3 p.m.
Semi-Finals
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 6 p.m.
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 24
Consolation Final
Game 9: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 - 12 p.m.
Bronze Medal Match
Game 10: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8 - 2 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 - 5 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity 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