Valparaiso University's volleyball team was one of just 46 NCAA Division I programs to receive the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2003-2004 season.

The honor is given to college and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. The nominating head coaches must be AVCA members.

Head Coach Carin Avery's Crusaders finished the 2003 season with a 27-8 record, won the Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned their first trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Valpo was one of just two Mid-Con schools (UMKC) to earn this prestigious honor.