Simply The Best

On the eve of the PACWEST volleyball championship tournament, the Conference is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 men’s volleyball Major Award Winners following several eye-popping performances during the campaign.

Top Libero – Reece Clarke – COTR Avalanche

In his fifth and final season, Clarke displayed an outstanding performance in the backcourt for the top ranked Avalanche using his veteran experience to position himself in the best spot possible to make a play.  The Manitoba native led the Conference with 216 digs, averaging over 2.7 a set, helping keep several rallies alive that his offensive teammates would take advantage of to score points.  His talents and leadership will be missed next season.

Top Setter – Boston Thiessen – COTR Avalanche

For the second time in his PACWEST career, Thiessen has been named the best setter in the Conference after another outstanding season, guiding the Avalanche to the top seed in the nation.  He recorded an amazing 805 setter assists this year, averaging over 10 per set.  He quarterbacked a balanced offence with several weapons hungry to produce for their team.  He also showed that he isn’t just one-dimensional finishing with 13 kills, 28 service aces, 18 blocks and 145 digs to round out his game. He will need to play an integral part of the Avalanche offence in the playoffs as they hope to claim their program’s first ever gold medal.

Top Middle Blocker – Luke Margenau – COTR Avalanche

The 6’5 middle with enormous hops frustrated the opposition this season with his blocking ability.  In his 53 sets played during the regular season, the UAE international student athlete tallied 24 blocks giving the Avalanche a solid defensive presence at the end.  On the offensive side he added 73 kills and eight aces, helping the Avs to a 17-win season.

Top Outside Hitter - Dylan Annala - COTR Avalanche 

He returned to the PACWEST this season and absolutely smashed it.  Annala was the main focal point all season for the Avalanche and made the opposition defenders tremble when he approached for a kill opportunity.  He finished the season with a Conference high in three categories: 309 kills, 379 total points and 31 service aces.  No matter where he is on the outside, he is a dangerous threat for the Avalanche offensive punch.

Rookie of the Year – Brandon Sekhon – CBC Bearcats

Whoa, this kid showed some big-time talent this past season joining the Bearcats from Richmond.  He was one half of the solid Bearcats 1-2 punch with Liam Sampson, finishing his rookie campaign with 244 kills and 286 total points.  He added 21 aces, 21 blocks and showed off the defensive side of his game with 141 digs, keeping rallies alive for his squad.  He will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come in Abbotsford.

Coach of the Year – Cisco Farrero – COTR Avalanche

For the second time in three seasons, Farrero is named the PACWEST Coach of the Year, leading his club to a first-place finish, 17 wins and the top seed across the CCAA heading into the playoff season. His leadership kept some very important pieces in Cranbrook this year and it has paid off with a veteran laced group led by Diego Policarpo, Dylan Annala, Ethan Braam, Reece Clarke and Boston Thiessen.  Farrero knows how to win and is hoping to guide his club to the program’s first gold medal and another berth in the CCAA national championship.

Player of the Year – Dylan Annala – COTR Avalanche

He returned to the PACWEST this season and helped lead his school to the top of the Conference standings and the #1 seed heading into the championship tournament this weekend.  After spending a season at TRU last year, Annala decided to comeback and did so in a big way with a Conference high 309 kills, 379 total points and 31 service aces.  He and Diego Policarpo are a formidable duo who will give the opposition plenty to worry about if they are on their game.  On the defensive side he chipped in with 39 blocks at the net and dropped back for 73 digs.  Look for the Dinsmore, Saskatchewan native to play a major role this weekend at the Conference championship tournament.