Trinity Western Spartans head coach Ryan Hofer has been named the CIS coach of the year.

The women鈥檚 volleyball coach is in his sixth season with the Spartans and is the program鈥檚 first to win the national honour.

鈥淚t is a great honour for Ryan to be selected by his peers for this prestigious award. He has set the standard for coaching excellence at TWU in a number of areas,鈥� said Trinity Western director of athletics Murray Hall. 鈥淩yan鈥檚 strengths as a CIS coach are numerous. Most of all, he is committed to the success of his students academically, athletically and in all aspects of life.鈥�

Hofer guided the Spartans to a 15-3 conference record and the silver medal at the Canada West championships.

Hofer received the award on Wednesday night at the CIS awards banquet in Quebec City.

The Spartans, seeded second, begin play at nationals with a quarter-final clash against Sherbrooke on Friday.

Outside hitter Kara Jansen Van Doorn was also named a CIS first team all-star at the banquet, and middle Alicia Perrin was named to the CIS all-rookie team.