Valparaiso placed a league-high 10 student-athletes over five sports on the Horizon League's 2014 Fall Academic All-League Teams, as announced today by the league office.

Women's soccer and volleyball each had three Crusaders honored, while the men's soccer team placed a pair of members on the Academic All-League squad. Men's and women's cross country each had one student-athlete recognized as well.

Men’s Cross Country

Michael Salguero – Sr. – Ranked among the Crusaders’ top-four runners in all six meets during the 2014 season.  Was the second Valpo runner across the finish line at Bradley and at the Horizon League Championships.  Owns a 3.996 cumulative GPA as a civil engineering major.

Women’s Cross Country

Jessica Richardson – Sr. – Posted five top-10 finishes in Valpo’s six races in 2014.  Moved into second in Valpo history in both the 5K and the 6K.  Three-time Horizon League Runner of the Week this season; earned her third career First Team All-League honor with a third-place finish at HL Championships.  Owns a 3.837 cumulative GPA as an economics and mathematics double major.  Has earned six Academic All-League awards.

Men’s Soccer

Nick Suker – Sr. – Started all 19 matches for the Crusaders in 2014.  Scored a pair of goals on the season, finding the back of the net in draws with Oakland and Dayton.  Also added a pair of assists as well, tied for second on the team.  Owns a 3.833 cumulative GPA as a political science and communication double major.

Zev Taublieb – Sr. – A Second Team All-Horizon League and NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Region Second Team honoree.  Started in each of his 18 appearances during the 2014 season, finishing the season second on the team with eight points (three goals, two assists).  Named Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week and earned a spot on College Soccer News’ National Team of the Week Sept. 29.  Owns a 3.813 cumulative GPA as a communication major.

Women’s Soccer

Rita Craven - Jr. – An NSCAA First Team Scholar All-American and Third Team All-American – both firsts in program history.  Named Horizon League Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, scoring five goals – four of which were match-winners – and tallying three assists.  Earned CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District honors as well.  Owns a 3.969 cumulative GPA as a biology major.  Has earned two Academic All-League awards.

Kelsey Draper – Sr. – A Third Team NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Region selection.  Named a Second Team All-Horizon League honoree by College Sports Madness.  Started 19 matches, anchoring the midfield for the Crusaders – picked up an assist in regular season finale versus Green Bay.  Owns a 3.842 cumulative GPA as a biology major.

Jenny Fassbinder – Jr. – An NSCAA Third Team Scholar All-American and Second Team NSCAA All-Great Lakes region choice.  First Team All-Horizon League pick on defense by College Sports Madness.  Started all 20 matches on the back line, anchoring a defense which surrendered just nine goals.  Joined Craven on the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team.  Owns a 3.938 cumulative GPA as a biology major.

Volleyball

Morgan Beil – Sr. – Closed her Crusader career second in program history in career hitting percentage and eighth in kills.  Earned three All-Tournament accolades in 2014.  Finished season second on the team and eighth in the league in hitting percentage, and third on the team in kills and blocks.  A three-time All-Horizon League honoree.  Owns a 3.706 cumulative GPA as an elementary education major.  Has earned two Academic All-League awards.

Kelsey Berrington – Jr. – An All-Horizon League honoree in 2014.  Led the Crusaders with 1,281 assists, ranking third in the league in assists/set.  Also led Valpo in aces, ranking seventh in the league in aces/set as well.  Earned two All-Tournament honors this season, including MVP honors at the Jackrabbit Invitational.  Owns a 3.528 cumulative GPA as an elementary education major.

Kelsey Victor – 5^th/Sr. – Earned All-Horizon League accolades in 2014.  Led league with 128 blocks, and ranked third in the league with a .307 hitting percentage – third-best in a single season in Crusader history.  Closed her career eighth in Valpo history in career blocks.  Named to the All-Tournament Team at Crusader Crossroads of America Classic.  Owns a 3.567 GPA as a master’s student in the sports administration program.