Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera is pleased to announce today that Carin Avery has signed a new four-year contract to continue as head coach of the Crusader volleyball program.

“We are excited to know that Carin will be with us for the next four years,” said LaBarbera.  “Coach Avery exemplifies what Valpo values most in intercollegiate athletics: a strong commitment to both academic and athletic success for the women in her program.  She is one of the premier coaches not only in the league, but in the country, and has done great things for our volleyball program.  We look forward to having Carin lead the program to even greater heights in the future.”

In her eight seasons as head coach at Valparaiso, Avery has guided the Crusaders to 20 or more wins every year, making Valpo one of just 13 teams nationwide to have reached the 20-win plateau in each of the last eight years.  She has led the Crusaders to three conference regular season and tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances in her eight years.

The program hasn’t missed a beat under Avery’s leadership since stepping up into the Horizon League, as Valpo has finished in the top-three all three seasons in the league standings, including runner-up finishes each of the last two years.  Avery will enter her ninth season at the helm with a 194-73 (.727) record at Valpo and a 249-97 (.720) record in 11 years overall as a head coach.

“I’d like to thank Mark and the University for giving me the opportunity to coach here for another four years,” said Avery.  “I have enjoyed the chance to run the program here at Valparaiso for the past eight years.  I love being a head coach and I especially love being able to coach here at Valpo.  I’m excited about a lot of the changes going on here, and I’m excited to get back on the volleyball court next fall to improve on the success we’ve had the past eight years.”