Friday night, the Lady Avs (6-10) cruised to a straight-sets victory (25-18, 25-16, 25-13) over the Royals (7-7).

"It's a confidence they're playing with," said John Swanson, head coach of the Avalanche volleyball program. "We did change a couple things in our defensive system, which I think has helped. But the ladies are just playing with more confidence individually, and with that, the team doesn't have to rely on one player to maybe pull us through.

"Friday, we continued getting the ball to lots of different players and when those players get their opportunity, they've been putting the ball away and just playing fantastic."

Outsider hitter Kelsey Thompson, fresh off being named PACWEST Athlete of the Week, continued to dominate, crushing 10 kills and getting 14 digs in Friday's victory.

Right side Corissa Mildenberger and middle blocker Kennedy Koop also chipped in on the attack, collecting six kills each.

Saturday afternoon, the Royals returned to the court intent on a split and managed just that with a win in four sets (25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 25-22).

Since the holiday break, the Lady Avs are 3-1 in PACWEST play, already matching their win total from the first half of the season.

The strong start to 2016 has pulled the sixth-place Lady Avs within striking distance of the fifth-place University of the Fraser Valley (7-9) and fourth-place Royals.

"Being home and, because they're having some success, the confidence level goes up," Swanson said of the ladies' positive second-half swing. "As a coach, I will never be disappointed with the women's team if we lose but we always remain aggressive.

"Anything where they're trying to be competitive and put pressure on the other team, I've always supported that."

With a four-game road trip scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28 through Sunday, Jan. 31, the Lady Avs will use a Week 10 bye to help prepare for their last journey  of the regular season.

After facing the seventh-place Columbia Bible College Bear Cats (3-13) on Jan. 28 and 29, the ladies wrap up the Lower Mainland swing in a pair of outings with the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades on Jan. 30 and 31.

The Lady Avs then return home to close out the regular season with Feb. 5 and 6 against Camosun College and Feb. 12 and 13 versus Vancouver Island University.

PACWEST Women's Volleyball Standings

1) Vancouver Island University (13-3, 26 points)
2) Camosun College (10-6, 20)
3) Capilano University (8-6, 16)
4) Douglas College (7-7, 14)
5) University of the Fraser Valley (7-9, 14)
6) College of the Rockies (6-10, 12)
7) Columbia Bible College (3-13, 6)

Story and Photo Credit - Taylor Rocca, Cranbrook Daily Townsman