Otago hosts Central Districts, which won the one-day title, in Queenstown. The teams have played five times this summer across the three different formats and Central has won every fixture.
It is a depressing statistic for the Volts but it is not something the team is dwelling on too much.
The team has had a quick look back at the one-day campaign and analysed what went well and what did not.
''We chatted a bit about it,'' Mascarenhas said.
''It was a pretty disappointing end to the campaign, particularly considering the side we had.''
Otago, which appeared to have a much stronger line-up, was knocked out by Central in the preliminary final.
''We threw away a really good opportunity to contest the final. But there were some positive signs [during the one-dayers].
''We said the start was important and we did that. But I just think we lacked consistency in all areas.
''With the ball, we'd do a really good job for one game but be off the next. With the bat, we scored one hundred in all of our games.
''During the twenty20 [tournament], we felt we were a bit undermanned. We knew we were testing the depth of the squad but even with that squad we got into positions to win. We had three or four last-over finishes and I think we only won one of them.
''And in the one-day campaign ... the guys who were our bankers, whom you'd expect to get big runs, got in and then got out, unfortunately.''
Otago's test quartet of Neil Wagner, Hamish Rutherford, Jimmy Neesham and Mark Craig returned midway through the competition but only Wagner was really able to make an impact, although Mascarenhas felt Craig bowled well without very much luck.
''With the others, the work ethic is still there and I'm sure they'll come back bigger and better in the next few games.''
Otago used 23 players during the two limited-overs competitions, which create a challenge for the side.
''It is pretty hard to get continuity when you are chopping and changing every other game. But it has been a really good learning curve for me.
''I think the best thing that has happened is we haven't done really well because you probably don't learn as much.
''We've had some tough times and some times when we've really thought we were challenging for a trophy.
''But looking at the four-dayers, we've got it all to play for. We still have a real chance to come out of this season with a trophy and I think the boys have identified that and are willing to put in all the hard work and do whatever it takes.''
Otago is in last place with 24 points from three matches but, with seven rounds remaining, the competition will remain wide open for some time.
Central is in second place with 40 points and smashed Otago by an innings and 94 runs during the opening round in October.
