TRAFFORD, Pa. (Feb. 10) -- Thiel College freshman opposite George Schwalm IV (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Newcomer of the Week Tuesday evening.

Schwalm IV was instrumental the Tomcats' 3-0 week that pushed the Blue and Gold to No. 17 in the Week 4 American Volleyball Coaches' Association (AVCA) Coaches' Poll released earlier in the day Tuesday.

As a team, Thiel has collected at least one PAC Weekly Award Winner each week this season.

Schwalm IV totaled 23 kills (2.09 per set) and hit .409 as Thiel collected wins over Penn State Brehrend, Carlow and No. 17 Buffalo State.

At Behrend Thursday, Schwalm IV blasted a career-most 14 kills on .458 to go with a dig and a block to power the Tomcats to a five-set victory. He had a kill and two digs in one set of action in Saturday afternoon's sweep of Carlow. Against No. 17 Buffalo State, Schwalm IV logged eight kills on .353 along with two digs and a block as the Tomcats collected their second ranked victory in as many weeks. 

Schwalm IV has totaled 82 kills to the tune of a .262 hitting percentage from the right side. Defensivley, he's dug 32 balls and is tied for third on the Tomcats with 14 blocks.

Thiel opens PAC play Thursday at 6 p.m. against Bethany at home before taking on Trine (1 p.m.) and RV Endicott (3 p.m.) Saturday at the Nazareth Invitational.