The competition for spots on next year’s College of the Rockies men’s volleyball roster promises to be fierce.

Although the Avalanche have signed several players over the off-season — and have several athletes set to return from last year — head coach Steve Kamps said they will have to earn their spots.

To make sure they arrive in shape this fall, Kamps is encouraging his players to participate in as many beach volleyball tournaments as possible this summer. He has also given them weight-lifting plans.

“I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that they’re all doing that on their own,” he said. “It will be pretty easy to tell who wasn’t doing it in September, and we could have as many as 17 guys trying out for the team and there are only 14 spots on the roster. Even a veteran guy — if he chose not to do what he needed to do over the summer — might be on the outside looking in.”

Back after a two-year hiatus, Kamps is very pleased with how recruiting has gone this summer. The Avalanche hosted an I.D. camp in May, which drew 17 players. They signed several of them, including Brodie Flis , who had played for his hometown University of Regina Cougars.

The setter had been in contact with previous coach Chris Jenkins last year, and joined the Avs for a weekend in January. He trained with the team, watched them play and stayed in residence.

“As soon as I came back as coach, he was one of my first phone calls,” said Kamps.

“That’s a big signing for us. He’s got university experience and provincial team experience. He’ll bring good size as well; a 6-foot-5 left-handed setter’s not going to hurt us.”

Kamps is excited about the prospect of having a front row that includes Flis and returnees David Wiebe (6-foot-6) and Taylor Verboom (7-foot).

Another third-year player will join that trio, as libero Kellan Ward has pledged to return.

“Experience is so important at the college level, and with those guys we’re expecting big things from them,” said Kamps.

Breakout offensive star Cody Cuthill will also vie to return, alongside Chris Yuill and Jordan Wagner.

YOUNG TALENT

The Avalanche recently signed four local players, including a triumvirate from last year’s B.C. high school silver medalist Mount Baker Wild team and Sparwood’s Harley Marshall, a 6-foot-5 middle.

Brady Atwood, Adam Ravenstein and Scott Kemperman all played key roles for Mount Baker, and Kamps said their chemistry made them attractive.

“(Ravenstein) is very creative as a setter and the bottom line is he knows how to win, so we’re very attracted to that,” said Kamps. “He’s a good person and a good student, so I was happy to sign him as another one of our setters, to add some depth to that position.

“Brady (an outside hitter) just has huge potential. He’s already touching close to 11’5”. I think we’re going to see big things from him this year. When he gets on and gets his timing and plays a lot of volleyball, he’s going to be tough to stop in this league.”

As for Kemperman, Kamps said every coach he talked to described the versatile athlete as their most valuable player.

“He can play any position, he’s got great leadership, he’s a good character and he just brings a lot to whatever he’s doing, whether it’s practice or game situations,” said Kamps, who expects Kemperman could slot in as a power hitter or libero.

“He was a guy I couldn’t say no to. He’s kind of a late addition and I’m extremely pleased with having him on the team as well.”

A third libero is in the mix as well, with Prince George’s Nick Dolman also signing.

“There should be no shortness of depth,” said Kamps. “Guys will have to be on their game or somebody else will easily be able to replace them. There’s going to be some excellent competition at practices and as we approach the season, guys will be fighting hard for a spot.”

Finally, Kamps was also able to get commitments from three Albertans, by way of former Avalanche coach and player Ian Halliday — he now works with Alberta Volleyball.

“He put a good word in with some of these athletes, including (Calgarians Brendan) Visser and (Dan) Miedema, who he had an opportunity to coach with the provincial team in Alberta,” said Kamps.

“We were in need of leftsides, so it was just a good situation for these guys to have an opportunity to play. Some of the other institutions they were looking at like Mount Royal and Red Deer College have third or fourth-year power hitters coming back. They didn’t want to ride the pine so I think this is a great opportunity to them and I owe a lot of credit to Ian for giving us a good plug.”

Halladay had attempted to recruit Red Deer’s Jeremias Guenter a couple of years ago before he went to volleyball school in Switzerland. He will also don Avalanche blue.

“They all have excellent skills, have won at every level and have excellent ball control,” said Kamps. “They’ll be very solid for us on the left side, all three of those guys.”