Grad Class: COTR Avalanche

Now that the PACWEST volleyball season is in the rear-view mirror, schools and coaches have begun looking at next year and the spots they need to fill with student athletes graduating.

The College of the Rockies has just one sport playing in the PACWEST conference as a smaller school but always seem to find a way to be competitive on the volleyball court.  Recently it has been the men’s team that has put the Avalanche on the map as they have won back-to-back CCAA national medals.

With 11 graduating players following the 2025-2026 playing season, head coach Cisco Farrero has a lot of work to do in the offseason.  The graduating student athletes are:

Diego Policarpo has been a mainstay with the Avalanche and has done so much for the program, as he graduates after five seasons, finally winning that allusive PACWEST gold medal, the men’s programs first.

Like Policarpo, libero Reece Clarke has been through it all and will be sorely missed next season after five years with the Avalanche, winning a Conference gold and silver along with a national silver and bronze medal.

Ethan Braam was incredible for the Avalanche playing larger than life in the middle.  He leaves COTR for Nipissing in Ontario, trying his hand at the U-Sport level.

Highly decorated setter Boston Thiessen graduates from the Avalanche following three successful seasons and has joined the UBC Thunderbirds volleyball program to continue athletics and academics.

Dylan Annala came back to the Avalanche this past season and turned in a wonderful performance named Male Athlete of the Year Across All-Sports.  He transfers to Mount Royal University in Calgary in pursuit of the same kind of success at the next level.

Jace Wilson graduates from the Avalanche following three very solid seasons winning a drawer full of medals.

Like Wilson, Jack Schmiess leaves the Avalanche after three seasons earning several PACWEST and CCAA hardware.

Gage McDonald is staying in the CCAA but is transferring to the SAIT Trojans in Calgary following two seasons.

Noah Hadwen is returning to his home province of Saskatchewan and transferring to the University of Saskatchewan to try and crack the Huskies roster.

Jhet Bowen spent two seasons with the Avalanche and his moving for other school options.

Lincoln Bowen played last season with the Avalanche earning a PACWEST gold medal and a CCAA silver as he moves on for other school options.

On the other side of the coin, the women’s volleyball team returns several of their players, now with a year of experience under their belt.  Head coach Bryan Fraser is busy trying to improve his team while keeping cohesiveness with his core returners.  That said, they graduate two of their key contributors.

Fifth year setter Hannah Zurakowski is their biggest loss as the quarterback of their offence.  She not only led her team on the court with her play but was a leader in the locker room and will be missed.

Sloane Brodner is the only other student athlete leaving.  She departs after one season, looking for other school options.

The PACWEST wishes all the COTR Avalanche student athletes nothing but the best in their future endeavours.