College of the Rockies' men's Avalanche volleyball team has signed Matthew Janzen, a 6 ft. 3 in. outside hitter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Janzen attended and played for Linden Christian School and also played for the Jr. Bisons Volleyball Club, one of the preeminent clubs in Canada. He helped lead Linden Christian to the Manitoba AAA provincial championship where he was named a tournament All-Star.  Janzen was ranked the #5 high school volleyball player in the province of Manitoba by the Winnipeg Free Press in the fall of 2022.

Men's coach Cisco Farrero is looking forward to the contribution Janzen will make to the team.

"Our program prides itself on recruiting quality student athletes of high character and Matthew Janzen absolutely fits that bill," he said. "I'm extremely excited to add Matthew to our team, he can play both left side and right side at a high level and he is a strong student with an academic pathway that lines up with our Uvic Education program. I anticipate Matthew developing into an impact PACWEST attacker and a core member of our Avalanche program during his time at College of the Rockies"

While at the College, Janzen will be enrolled in the UVIC/East Kootenay Teacher Education program, a University of Victoria Bachelor of Education program held entirely on the College's Cranbrook campus.

"I was looking for an opportunity to pursue education where I'd be given a chance to play volleyball at a high level, and with a great coach and team," Janzen said. "Coach Farrero has been honest and encouraging and I'm excited about the opportunity to pursue an education degree, contribute to the Avalanche team, and enjoy the College of the Rockies campus."

College of the Rockies Avalanche preseason will commence in September 2023.