The College of the Rockies Avalanche men's volleyball team (4-4) maintained its mid-pack standing in the competitive PACWEST Conference this past weekend, earning a two-match split with the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (5-5).
The Avs started the weekend off on the right foot with a 3-1 victory (25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 25-23) over the Cascades.
Outsider hitter Patrik Toze was a key cog throughout the weekend, earning Avalanche Athlete of the Week honours.
The 6-foot-5 native of Queensland, Australia, landed 13 kills along with two blocks and one service ace en route to Friday's 3-1 win.
Middle blocker Spencer Janzen helped lead the way for the Avs, crushing 11 kills and getting up for five blocks over the course of the match.
Saturday, Toze continued his strong play, getting up for seven kills in a 3-0 loss (20-25, 23-25, 17-25) to the Cascades.
After six weeks of PACWEST action, Toze is off to an electric start, sitting fourth in the conference in overall offense (103 kills, 10 aces, 125 total offense).
Brazilian import Julio Lins led the way for the Avalanche on Saturday, landing 12 kills.
On the other side of the net, outside hitter Joel Kleingeltink powered the Cascades with 13 kills and two service aces in Saturday's triumph.
The Avalanche will look to continue their climb up the PACWEST standings this week as they close out the first half of the season on the road.
Thursday and Friday evening, the fourth-place Avs visit the sixth-place Vancouver Island University Mariners (4-6) before carrying on to play the first-place Camosun College Chargers (10-0) Saturday and Sunday.
PACWEST Men's Standings1) Camosun College (10-0, 20 points) 2) Douglas College (7-3, 14)3) University of the Fraser Valley (5-5, 10)4) College of the Rockies (4-4, 8)5) Capilano University (4-6, 8)6) Vancouver Island University (4-6, 8)7) Columbia Bible College (0-10, 0)