College of the Rockies will be home to some of the top volleyball players in the Pacific West as they gear up to host the PACWEST 2019 Volleyball Championships this week.
The top six men’s and women’s teams will go head-to-head to battle for the elusive gold medal at provincials from Thursday, Feb. 21to Saturday, Feb. 23.
This is the first time since 2013 the Avalanche will be hosting the PACWEST championships.
Not only will COTR be hosting the big event, their men and women’s teams are also competing.
With a 4-20 record, the women’s Avalanche team secured the sixth spot at the championships. They will be taking on the Camosun College Chargers in their quarter-final matchup.
During the regular season when the two teams met, Camosun swept the series. The Chargers were the last team the Avalanche played, so they won’t be strangers.
Look for Avalanche libero Brooke Lightburn on the floor, she is in her second season with the Avalanche and has been vital to the line-up. The Mount Baker Secondary graduate is top five in digs per set and overall digs with 220 on the year.
The match will start on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the COTR gym.
The men’s team finished fifth in the standings with an 8-16 record and will serve up against the Vancouver Island University Mariners in a quarter-final contest.
VIU swept the season series against the Avalanche, most recently battling earlier this month on the island winning 3-0 and 3-0.
Outside hitter Caleb Peters will get to play in front of his home crowd. This is his first year with the Avalanche, and he has been a standout for the team all year. The Mount Baker Secondary graduate is top five in the conference for kills per set, kills and service aces per set.
Also, look out for Avalanche setter Mark Armstrong in the lineup. The Creston native is in his first year with the team and has made an impact. He is in the top five for service aces per set and assists per set.
First serve for the quarter-final match-up against the Mariners is Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.
The championships will also see Cranbrook native Nolin Hoodicoff with the Camosun Chargers and Alyssa McElhinney who is with Capilano University back in their hometown.
Fans can purchase advance tickets for the championships at the COTR gym office or by calling 250-489-2751 ext. 3556 or 3572.
jessica.dempsey@cranbrooktownsman.com
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