Valparaiso saw its 2004 home season come to a close on Wednesday night as the Crusaders swept IPFW 30-22, 30-27, 30-16 at the Athletics-Recreation Center to improve their record to 23-4.

The win was Valpo's tenth straight at home, the lone defeat coming in the season opener to Michigan.

Valpo's defense was the story in games one and three, as the Crusaders held the Mastodons to .000 hitting in the opener and .024 in game three. Valpo hit .421 in the finale to cruise to the victory.

Freshman Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) led the way for the Brown and Gold with 13 kills and 14 digs, while hitting .417 on the night. Jessi Novak (Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.) added a double-double as well with 11 kills and 14 digs, hitting .312. Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) was the third Crusader in double-figure kills with ten.

Defensively, Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.), who had 39 assists in the match, added 12 digs, while Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) added 11 more. Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) had five blocks on the day.

Fabiana Souza led IPFW with 13 kills while Cynara Martins added nine more. Peachy Jankowski registered a match-high 18 digs, while Lindi Bankowski added 13 more.

Valpo hit .220 for the match with 51 kills, 17 more than the Mastodons. The Crusaders also outblocked IPFW 9-4.

Valparaiso will take to the road for its final four regular season match, beginning Friday night. The Crusaders will travel to Chicago State for a 7 p.m. match.