The knockout rounds of the Scottish Cup and Scottish Plate commence this 
Saturday. There are some very intriguing ties in both competitions.
In the Men’s Cup competition, undefeated City of Edinburgh II host last year’s Division 1 winners Kilmarnock Blaze. Coach Ian Brownlee and his players are really looking forward to pitting themselves against one of the best teams in the country. “We have been starting to play well in the league but it is a huge jump in level to contend with Kilmarnock. The players are looking forward to the challenge.” Another exciting match will see the 3rd and 4th placed teams in Division 1 play against each other. Edinburgh Jets and Bon Accord will go head to head to get into the Quarter Finals of the Cup. With Jets winning in Aberdeen in December 3-0, the Granite City boys will be more determined to show that was a freak result. Glasgow Mets host University club St Andrews while Dundee will be looking for their first victory of the season when they take on Lenzie at Craigie High School. After last week’s epic 5 set match, Bellshill Cardinals will be looking to gain some revenge for their 3-2 loss against Glasgow Mets II at Brannock High School while, South Ayrshire face the daunting task of trying to inflict defeat upon City of Edinburgh to progress to the next round.
All 5 ties in the Women’s Scottish Cup have the potential to be crackers. NLVC, who are having their best season to date, host Edinburgh University who convincingly despatched of their opponents in the opening rounds of the competition. Edinburgh University President Emma Girot commented ‘The Team has been training hard to recover from the festive season and is looking forward to the next round of the Scottish Cup before the university league starts back on Sunday.’ South Ayrshire will be hoping the fact they are playing lower league opposition will be the boost they need to pick up their first victory of the season. Glasgow International will be determined that they can topple a Division 1 side and progress to the next round. NUVOC and North Grampian face off at Crags Sports Centre in what could be a very interesting and competitive match while St Andrews University welcome Orkney in the Cup 4th Round. Su Ragazzi entertain City of Edinburgh in the last tie of the round. After both teams have 1 match each against each other, Coach Thomas Dowens commented on the way this match could go. ‘There could be a great game in prospect, with the added flavour of it being a cup tie. We will be relying on the firepower of Kirsty McLean and Alex Dickenson, to balance the experience of Mel Coutts and Jen Thom. The key will be the team who wins the serve-pass battle.’ 
The first round of the Men’s Scottish Plate commences this weekend with a total of 14 teams in the competition. Volero, who contain many veteran players from within the past 20-30 years of Scottish Volleyball, enter the competition in the hope they can show Edinburgh Jets II that they still have
what it takes to beat any of the National League clubs. South Ayrshire II host Edinburgh Jets III in one an East vs West battle series which also will see Linlithgow Hornets face South Ayrshire III and Kinross take on Stirling University. Kilmarnock II get the chance of redemption from last week’s 3-0 defeat to Su Ragazzi II while Orkney make the long trip south to take on NUVOC in the last match of the Plate 1st Round.
