College of the Rockies' women's Avalanche volleyball has signed Abigail Betker, a local 5 ft. 11 in. outside hitter from Kimberley, BC for the 2022/2023 season.

Betker is currently a grade 12 student attending Selkirk Secondary School. Having played volleyball since the age of 10 on both school and club teams, she primarily has experience in middle blocker and left side hitter positions. In her grade 10 year, Betker's junior Selkirk Storm team won their zone championship and went on to tie for sixth place in Provincials. In 2018, she represented the Kootenays as an underage athlete in the BC Summer Games and in 2019 participated in the BC Cup volleyball program. More recently she played on the Selkirk Storm senior volleyball team, going on to win their zone championship. Though the team earned the opportunity to go to provincials, the pandemic meant they were unable to attend.

"I decided to play for the College because of how welcoming and kind the players and staff are," Betker said. "I have been watching both the men's and women's College of the Rockies teams home games since I was very little and have always idolized the players. I can't wait to form relationships with my teammates and learn from great coaches."

While attending the College, Abby will be enrolled in University Science courses, with the goal of eventually entering the medical field.

"We are so excited to have Abby joining our program for the 2022-23 season," Avalanche women's coach Bryan Fraser said. "She is one of the top high school players in the province and has the potential to contribute to our team right out of the gate. She is a hard working, competitive, and physically gifted athlete. A top recruit like her, with the work ethic and humility she possesses, sets her up for a successful post-secondary volleyball career. I'm excited to add another self-driven and determined athlete to our program."

PACWEST competition resumed for the 2021/22 season after the 2020/21 season was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently fans are not permitted at games, but they can be viewed online. The schedules for the women's and men's teams can be found at goavalanche.ca.