The collision course for the Lockerby Vikings and Confederation Chargers in the senior girls volleyball ranks appears all but inevitable.
The same teams which staged a titanic five-set battle for SDSSAA supremacy last February, before both moving on to OFSAA competition, are among a group that is showing the way early in the 2016-2017 season.
They would also meet up recently in the final of the Cardinal Classic, with the Chargers coming from behind to grab tournament bragging rights.
"Both teams have progressed," said Confederation's Mykayla Beeson, with the Vikings and the defending city champs both returning key core players from a year ago.
"We want to beat each other, that's what drives us. When we play them, everything is on the table. We're all in. I think they're playing just as well as we are. It just comes down to getting those key points at the right moments."
Perhaps more than many rivalries, this one is built on mutual respect, with countless athletes on both teams also sharing the court as teammates, members of the Northern Chill Volleyball Club.
"It's tough sometimes, because you know how you would feel if you were in their situation," said Beeson. "You're friends with them, but you have to be there for your team. I want them to do well, but I want to win as well. I think it's good competition, making us all better as players."
The Widdifield Wildcats from North Bay captured the junior division of the event that was staged at St. Charles College, while the Korah Colts from Sault Ste. Marie returned home with consolation banners in both senior and junior division play.
Lockerby (4-0) and Confederation (3-0) are among a trio of teams that remain undefeated in league play, sharing the honours with the Collège Notre Dame Alouettes (4-0). The Chargers and Vikes will settle their regular season match Monday night at Lockerby Composite, while CND does battle with the 3-1 Lasalle Lancers on the same night.
The Confederation roster for 2016-2017 includes Grace Haapala, Marissa Beeson, Kaitlyn Woods, Destiny Miller, Natasha Gervais, Hailey Mauro, Teagan Langis, Mykayla Beeson, Britney Chevrier, Alison Labrash, Sophia Masterson-Pinedo and coaches Rebecca Smith and Jennifer Stobo.
