The Valparaiso University volleyball program received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2012-2013 academic year, as announced by the AVCA this week. It marks the eighth time in the last ten seasons that the Crusaders have earned the award.

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. Valpo was one of 130 Division I programs to be so honored this season.

The Crusaders continued to be proficient in the classroom while also maintaining their on-court success during the 2010-2011 season. On the court last year, Valpo won 21 matches and finished in a tie for second place in the Horizon League standings. The Crusaders have now won at least 20 matches in each of the last 11 seasons, including all eight years they have earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, and own a 200-72 (.735) record in the eight years in which the program has earned the academic honor from the AVCA.

Valparaiso was one of five current Horizon League institutions to earn the honor for the 2012-2013 campaign.