Just four matches stand between the Cambrian Golden Shield women's volleyball team and an undefeated regular season in OCAA East Division competition this year.

Cambrian made short work of both the Georgian Grizzlies and the Fleming Knights last weekend at home, extending their current streak to 21 straight sets over their opponents while improving their season mark to 16-0, eight points ahead of the Trent Xcalibur.

The Shield have clinched first place in the OCAA East, earning a bye through to the provincial championships, being held in Barrie from Feb. 23-25. Last Saturday, Cambrian bested Georgian 25-18, 25-22 and 25-21 as Shawna Metcalf led the way with 17 kills, with Kelsey Fielding (9), Stephanie Walker (5) and Emilie Lavoie (4) all jumping in to help out on the attack.

On Sunday, coach Dale Beausoleil made full use of his bench, with no less than 11 different players picking up points as Cambrian bounced Fleming 25-16, 25-16, 25-14.

While Metcalf was again front and centre with 17 kills, the balance behind her was noticeable as Fielding (6), Lavoie (4), Sara Charlton (4) and Adriana Pacitto (4) all were involved offensively.

After dropping a set to Seneca and two to Georgian on the very first weekend of league play in early November, the Cambrian powerhouse has now steamrolled its way in capturing 42 of the next 44 sets it contested against divisional opponents.

The team is on the road this weekend, facing the Algonquin Thunder (11-5) and La Cité Coyotes (3-13) in Ottawa, before battling the Boréal Vipères in a mid-week match, closing at home against Seneca on the weekend.

While playoff hopes are not likely in the cards for the Cambrian men's team, some improvement over their current record of 3-13 is certainly realistic.

On Saturday, the Shield gave Georgian a much tougher fight than during their early season visit, falling in sets of 19-25, 22-25 and 24-26. Without a pure dominant hitter, the locals spread their attack around as Chris Irving (7 kills), Chris Holden (6), Scott Anderson (5) and Travis Smith (4) all contributed.

Looking to sweep their season series with Fleming on Sunday, the Cambrian lads squandered a 2-0 set advantage, defeated in five sets by scores of 26-24, 25-20, 25-27, 20-25 and 9-15.

Dakota Campbell enjoyed a solid afternoon, combining 13 kills with 16 defensive digs, while Smith helped out with 11 kills and eight digs.

While the Cambrian men are likely to be in tough with Algonquin (15-1) on Saturday, the team did take La Cite (6-10) to five sets when they met in Sudbury in November.

The squad is also looking forward to the rematch with Boréal after the Vipères squeaked out a five-set win earlier this year. The crosstown rivalry will be renewed Feb. 8 at Collège Boréal, with the women's game beginning at 6 p.m. and the men's at 8 p.m.

Posted by Laurel Myers