Valparaiso sophomore libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) received AVCA Honorable Mention All-American accolades today after being named to the All-Midwest Region squad last week.  Root becomes the third Crusader volleyball player in the last three seasons to earn Honorable Mention All-American notice.

Root receives the Honorable Mention All-American recognition after setting new single-season program and Horizon League records with 754 total digs on the season.  Her average of 5.94 digs/set leads all of NCAA Division I volleyball, as she will become the first individual national statistical leader in Crusader volleyball history.  The Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, a three-time league Defensive Player of the Week selection and the MVP of the Bradley Invitational, Root tied or outright led the Crusaders in all 34 matches she played in, led all players in digs 22 times and registered at least 20 digs in 25 matches.