5/25/2017
Valparaiso University to Join Missouri Valley Conference
Valparaiso University president Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., announced today that the University has accepted an invitation to join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2017. The Crusaders will begin competing for MVC championships in the 2017–2018 academic year.
4/17/2017
Brys Signs With Crusader Volleyball Program
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Marissa Brys, an outside hitter from Washington Township H.S., has signed with the Crusader volleyball program and will join Valpo as a freshman for the 2017 season.
3/30/2017
Crusader Volleyball to Host Summer Camp
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery and the Crusader volleyball program will host its annual summer camp from July 10-13, 2017 at the Athletics-Recreation Center on the Valpo campus. The camp is open to both girls and boys, grades 3-12.
3/23/2017
Crusaders Announce 2017 Spring Schedule
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today her team’s schedule for the spring season, including a home date at the ARC against Western Michigan on Friday, April 7 at 6 p.m.
12/27/2016
Longoria Story Among Season's Most Popular
The story on Valpo volleyball senior Morganne Longoria and how she uniquely filled the roles of libero and setter simultaneously for the Crusaders over the final half of the season made national news among the volleyball community in 2016. At year's end, the VolleyballMag.com article on Longoria's efforts was the website's third-most widely read story from the 2016 season.
11/18/2016
Crusaders Fall In Hard-Fought Battle at Horizon League Championship
In a match which seemed to encapsulate the season in a single contest, the sixth-seeded Valparaiso University volleyball team fought to the very end against third-seeded Northern Kentucky in a first-round matchup at the Horizon League Championship Friday before the Norse came out with the 3-2 (20-25, 29-27, 25-27, 25-21, 15-11) victory to end the Crusaders’ season.
11/17/2016
Volleyball Heads to Horizon League Championship
The Valparaiso University volleyball team heads to Cleveland, Ohio for the 2016 Horizon League Championship this weekend. The Crusaders, who are the tournament's sixth seed, will face off against third-seeded Northern Kentucky in the first round on Friday.
11/16/2016
Crusader Volleyball Announces Addition of Six Newcomers
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that the Crusaders have signed a talented group of six newcomers during the early signing period who will join the Valpo program as freshmen for the 2017 season.
11/15/2016
Longoria Named Defensive Player of the Year; Campbell Earns Honorable Mention Accolades
Following a tremendous senior season, Valparaiso University libero Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and has been voted to the All-League Team, as announced today by the league office. In addition, fellow senior Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) was named an Honorable Mention All-League selection.
11/12/2016
Crusaders Fall in Regular Season Finale
The Valparaiso University volleyball team closed out the regular season Saturday evening in Milwaukee, Wis., falling to the Panthers of Milwaukee in straight sets (25-11, 25-16, 25-23). The Crusaders had already clinched a berth into the Horizon League Championship by virtue of Friday night’s results and will head to the league tournament next weekend in Cleveland as the sixth seed.
11/11/2016
Carlson, Bruinsma Earn Academic All-League Honors
The Valparaiso University volleyball team had a pair of players honored as the Horizon League announced its volleyball Academic All-League recipients on Friday, as senior Rachel Bruinsma (New Era, Mich./Western Michigan Christian) and sophomore Katherine Carlson (Lake Orion, Mich./Notre Dame Prep) earned the award for their performance on the court and in the classroom.
11/9/2016
Volleyball Closes Home Slate With Win Over Oakland
The Valparaiso University volleyball team finished out its 2016 home schedule at the ARC on Wednesday evening with a key 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 17-25, 25-22) victory over Oakland in Horizon League play. Playing in her final home match, senior Jamie Lacheta (Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw) set a new career high with 16 kills.
11/8/2016
Volleyball Faces Final Regular Season Tests
The Valparaiso University volleyball team finishes up the 2016 regular season this week with a pair of matches as the Crusaders fight to secure a spot in the Horizon League Championship. Valpo closes out its home slate Wednesday, hosting Oakland at 6 p.m., and then goes on the road Saturday afternoon to conclude the regular season at Milwaukee.
11/5/2016
Five-Set Match Goes Against Crusaders Saturday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team led Green Bay in Horizon League play Saturday evening at the ARC, two sets to one, but the Phoenix claimed the final two sets to earn the 3-2 win and spoil the Crusaders’ Senior Night.
11/4/2016
Crusaders Sweep UIC Friday Evening
The Valparaiso University volleyball team took care of business Friday night at the ARC in Horizon League action, sweeping visiting UIC, 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-15).
11/3/2016
Volleyball Returns to ARC This Weekend
The Valparaiso University volleyball team opens its final homestand of the year at the ARC this weekend, as the Crusaders host a pair of crucial Horizon League matchups against UIC Friday evening and Green Bay Saturday afternoon. Saturday will be Valpo's Senior Day, as the team honors its six seniors following the match.
10/31/2016
Out of system has new meaning for Longoria
Valparaiso University senior Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) entered her final season as a Crusader already having continued the program's legacy of strong libero play. But Longoria, head coach Carin Avery, and the rest of the team could never have imagined the role Longoria would be called on to fill this season - setting full-time while also playing libero.
10/29/2016
Volleyball Earns Four-Set Win Over Youngstown State
16 kills apiece from senior Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) and junior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) led the way for the Valparaiso University volleyball team Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders closed the weekend on a winning note, earning a 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-18) victory at Youngstown State. Senior Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) moved into the Crusaders’ single-season top-10 in digs during the victory.
10/28/2016
Crusaders Fall at Cleveland State
The Valparaiso University volleyball team found its attack slowed down by league-leading Cleveland State Friday evening in Cleveland, Ohio, as the Vikings dealt the Crusaders a 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-17) defeat.
10/25/2016
Volleyball Takes Down Fort Wayne Tuesday Night
The Valparaiso University volleyball team continued its strong play despite its out-of-system offensive system Tuesday night in its final non-league matchup of the year at Fort Wayne, downing the Mastodons by a 3-1 (25-14, 21-25, 28-26, 25-22) final. Morganne Longoria finished with 28 assists and 24 digs, while Katherine Carlson was just two assists shy of her second triple-double in the last three matches.
10/24/2016
Volleyball Goes On the Road For Three This Week
The Valparaiso University volleyball team faces its final non-league match of the season Tuesday evening at Fort Wayne before heading to northeast Ohio, taking on Cleveland State on Friday night and Youngstown State on Saturday afternoon.
10/24/2016
Longoria Repeats As League Player of the Week
Valparaiso University senior libero Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) has repeated as the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week after another strong week setting in addition to her back-row duties.
10/22/2016
Volleyball Takes Loss Against NKU Saturday
Coming off a hard-fought win on Friday night, the Valparaiso University volleyball team was unable to slow down Northern Kentucky on Saturday, as the Crusaders fell to the Norse by a 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-19) final at the ARC.
10/21/2016
Crusaders Prevail In Defensive Standoff With Wright State
In a match featuring more total attacks and digs than any other this season in NCAA Division I volleyball, the Valparaiso University volleyball team came out on the right end of the defensive battle with Wright State in Horizon League play Friday evening at the ARC, downing the Raiders by a 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 15-11) final. Sophomore Katherine Carlson (Lake Orion, Mich./Notre Dame Prep) finished with the first triple-double by a Crusader player since 2010, while senior Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) set a new program record for attacks in a single match.
10/18/2016
Crusaders Earn Road Sweep at Chicago State
The Valparaiso University volleyball team stepped out of Horizon League play Tuesday evening with a short trip to Chicago State, coming away with a 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-16) sweep of the Cougars.
10/17/2016
Volleyball Faces Three-Match Week
The Valparaiso University volleyball team heads into a key upcoming weekend of Horizon League action with a mid-week tuneup at Chicago State Tuesday evening. The Crusaders then host Wright State at the ARC Friday night and Northern Kentucky Saturday afternoon.
10/17/2016
Longoria Earns Defensive Player of the Week Honor
Following a week in which she reached 2,000 career digs while also filling a role thought to be unprecedented in Division I volleyball, senior Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week.
10/15/2016
Crusaders Fall to Milwaukee Saturday Evening
Again playing without a traditional setter due to injuries, the Valparaiso University volleyball team battled gamely with perennial Horizon League power Milwaukee Saturday evening at the ARC, as the Crusaders nearly set a program single-match record for blocks in a 3-1 (25-22, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22) loss to the Panthers. Along the way, seniors Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) and Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) both reached career milestones for their defensive work - Longoria recording her 2,000th career dig and Campbell joining Valpo's 1,000 kill/1,000 dig club.
10/12/2016
Resilient Crusaders Earn Sweep Of Oakland In Remarkable Effort
Ravaged by injuries this season, the Valparaiso University volleyball team faced its biggest challenge of the season and one of the biggest challenges a volleyball team could face – heading into a match without either of its setters – head-on at league-leading Oakland and came out on the other side with the most remarkable of victories, sweeping the Golden Grizzlies (25-22, 28-26, 25-23) in Horizon League action Wednesday evening.
10/11/2016
Crusaders Reach Halfway Point of League Campaign
The Valparaiso University volleyball team continues Horizon League play with a pair of matches this week, closing out a four-match road trip at Oakland on Wednesday evening before returning home to the ARC to host Milwaukee Saturday evening. Saturday's match against the Panthers will serve as the Crusaders' annual breast cancer awareness match, as survivors of breast cancer will be honored prior to the match.
10/8/2016
Crusaders Drop Heartbreaker at Wright State
The Valparaiso University volleyball team looked poised to earn a road win Saturday afternoon at Wright State after capturing the first two sets, but the Raiders rallied to deal the Crusaders a 3-2 defeat (23-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-11).
10/7/2016
Shorthanded Crusaders Fall at Northern Kentucky
The Valparaiso University volleyball team, still playing without a number of regulars up front, fell Friday night in Horizon League play, 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-18), at Northern Kentucky as it continued a four-match stretch away from home.
10/4/2016
Longoria Matches Career High; Crusaders Sweep WIU
Valparaiso University senior Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) tied her career high for digs as the Crusaders stepped out of league play and earned a 3-0 (25-12, 26-24, 25-21) sweep at former Mid-Con rival Western Illinois Tuesday evening.
10/3/2016
Volleyball Set to Hit Road Again
The Valparaiso University volleyball team hits the road this week for a trio of matches. The Crusaders will briefly step away from Horizon League play with a mid-week contest at Western Illinois on Tuesday before heading south to face Northern Kentucky Friday night and Wright State on Saturday afternoon.
10/1/2016
Volleyball Drops League Battle With Cleveland State
Sophomore Lizzie Zaleski (Oak Lawn, Ill./Marist) nearly became the first Crusader in six years to post a triple-double on Saturday, but the Valparaiso University volleyball team fell in four sets (25-23, 24-26, 25-18, 25-21) to Cleveland State at the ARC. Along the way, senior Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) moved into third place in program history in career digs.
9/30/2016
Crusaders Fall in Five-Set Heartbreaker
The Valparaiso University volleyball team found itself two points away from victory in its Horizon League home opener Friday evening at the ARC versus Youngstown State, but the Penguins put together a run to claim the fourth set and then took control in the fifth set to deal the Crusaders a 3-2 (25-17, 16-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13) defeat.
9/29/2016
Volleyball Ready to Return to the ARC
The Valparaiso University volleyball team returns home to the ARC as Horizon League play continues this weekend. The Crusaders will host Youngstown State on Friday evening before taking on defending league champion Cleveland Saturday afternoon. The first 200 students to Friday night's match will receive free Valpo volleyball t-shirts, while Saturday's match against the Vikings will serve as the volleyball program's TOCO fundraiser match, in conjunction Saturday night with men's soccer.
9/24/2016
Crusaders Rally For Five-Set Win at UIC
Valparaiso University junior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) smashed her previous career best with 24 kills and the Crusaders earned their first Horizon League win in style Saturday in Chicago, rallying from two sets down to top UIC, 3-2 (19-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 15-7).
9/23/2016
Volleyball Falls in League Opener
After splitting the first two sets of its Horizon League opener Friday evening, the Valparaiso University volleyball team battled deep into extra points with Green Bay in the third set, but the Phoenix prevailed to take the lead and carried the momentum into the fourth set to deal the Crusaders a 3-1 (24-26, 25-15, 30-28, 25-17) setback.
9/21/2016
Volleyball Opens Horizon League Play This Weekend
Following an injury-riddled early-season slate, the Valparaiso University volleyball team looks to get back on track as Horizon League play opens this weekend. The Crusaders will start the league season on the road, with matches Friday evening at Green Bay and Saturday afternoon at UIC.
9/18/2016
Graboski Earns All-Tournament Accolade
Valparaiso University junior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) represented the Crusader volleyball team on the All-Tournament Team this weekend at the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge.
9/17/2016
Crusaders Fall to UNC Greensboro
In a tightly-contested match to close out play at the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge on Saturday, the Valparaiso University volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 28-26) decision to UNC Greensboro.
9/16/2016
Volleyball Drops Pair at Ball State
The Valparaiso University volleyball team opened play at its final pre-league tournament of the season Friday with a pair of matches at the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge. The Crusaders fell 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-18) to #19 Ohio State to open the tournament and then dropped a four-set decision (25-23, 25-9, 21-25, 25-17) to the host Cardinals Friday night.
9/13/2016
Crusaders Fall at Bowling Green
Taking on its first mid-week opponent of the season, the Valparaiso University volleyball team fell in three sets (25-8, 25-23, 25-21) at Bowling Green Tuesday evening.
9/12/2016
Volleyball Set For Four-Match Week
The Valparaiso University volleyball team will complete one final week of non-league competition before jumping into the Horizon League slate next weekend. The Crusaders will travel to Bowling Green for a mid-week match on Tuesday evening before heading to Muncie, Ind. for the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge this weekend, where they will face #19 Ohio State and UNC Greensboro in addition to the host Cardinals.
9/10/2016
Avery Earns 400th Career Victory as Volleyball Splits Saturday
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery earned the 400th victory of her coaching career Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders defeated South Dakota State 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-15) in the Popcorn Classic at the Courts of NWI. Valpo fell in its tournament finale to Duquesne, 3-1 (25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 25-17). The Crusaders were represented on the All-Tournament Team by senior libero Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington).
9/9/2016
Volleyball Splits On Opening Day of Popcorn Classic
The Valparaiso University volleyball team split two matches on the first of two days of action in the Popcorn Classic on Friday. The Crusaders swept SE Missouri State (25-19, 25-19, 25-19) in the early afternoon at the ARC, but fell Friday night at the Courts of NWI to Central Michigan in four sets (25-22, 20-25, 25-17, 25-13). Saturday's tournament matches will be held at the Courts of NWI.
9/9/2016
Popcorn Classic Action Moved
Due to court conditions, the remainder of volleyball's Popcorn Classic has been moved to the Courts of NWI (127 E US-6 Frontage Rd, Valparaiso, IN). Friday night's match between Valparaiso and Duquesne will now begin at 7:30 p.m., while all four of Saturday's matches will remain on the same time schedule.
9/8/2016
Volleyball To Host Popcorn Classic This Weekend
The Valparaiso University volleyball team will host its ninth in-season tournament in the last 15 years this weekend, as the Crusaders welcome SE Missouri State, Central Michigan, South Dakota State and Duquesne to the ARC for the Popcorn Classic. The two-day, eight-match event begins Friday morning at 10 a.m., with Valpo's first match beginning at 12:30 p.m.
9/3/2016
Crusaders Take Down APSU To Close Out Trojan Invitational
The Valparaiso University volleyball team will come home to the ARC on a two-match winning streak, as the Crusaders closed out action at this weekend’s Trojan Invitational in Troy, Ala. with a 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 18-25, 25-21) win Saturday afternoon over Austin Peay.
9/2/2016
Crusaders Earn Split On First Day Of Trojan Invitational
The Valparaiso University volleyball team split a pair of matches on the first day of competition at the Trojan Invitational in Troy, Ala. on Friday. Valpo fell, 3-0, to defending WAC champion New Mexico State (25-9, 25-19, 25-21) in its first match of the tournament, but bounced back in the evening with a 3-1 (15-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-17) victory over host Troy.
9/1/2016
Valpo Heads South To Continue Early-Season Play
The Valparaiso University volleyball team returns to action this weekend as the Crusaders travel south to Troy, Ala. to take part in the Trojan Invitational. Valpo will face New Mexico State and the host Trojans on Friday before concluding the tournament versus Austin Peay on Saturday.
8/28/2016
Campbell, Graboski Earn All-Tournament Team Honors
Valparaiso University volleyball senior Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) and junior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) were named to the All-Tournament Team this weekend at the Black Knights Invitational as they helped lead the Crusaders to a 2-1 record on the opening weekend of action.
8/27/2016
Crusaders Rally For Five-Set Win Over Army West Point
Facing host Army West Point in its finale at the Black Knights Invitational Saturday afternoon, the Valparaiso University volleyball team rallied from down two sets to one to earn a 3-2 (19-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21, 15-12) victory to close out the opening weekend of play. Junior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) led the Crusader challenge, matching her career high with 15 kills without committing an attack error.
8/26/2016
Volleyball Splits on Opening Day of Black Knights Invite
The Valparaiso University volleyball team split a pair of matches to open up the 2016 season Friday at Army West Point’s Black Knights Invitational. The Crusaders downed CSU Bakersfield 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-22, 30-28) in the morning opener, but fell to Hofstra 3-2 (25-23, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-6) later in the evening.
8/24/2016
Crusader Volleyball Set to Open Season Friday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team kicks off the 2016 season this weekend with its first of four early-season tournaments, making the trip to West Point for the Black Knights Invitational. The Crusaders, who return 12 of 14 letterwinners from last season’s 27-win team, will face CSU Bakersfield and Hofstra in addition to host Army West Point on the opening weekend.
8/18/2016
Valpo Volleyball Chosen Second in Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso University volleyball team has been picked to finish in second place in the Horizon League during the 2016 season, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches. The Crusaders received four first-place votes, matching Cleveland State for the most first-place votes received.
7/27/2016
Crusaders Claim AVCA Team Academic Award
The Valparaiso University volleyball program received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2015-16 academic year, as announced by the AVCA this week. It marks the 11th time in the last 13 seasons that the Crusaders have earned the award.
7/13/2016
Ament Closes Out Playing Career With Crusaders
After two seasons of competition with the Valparaiso University volleyball team, Catherine Ament (New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) has been forced to step away from playing due to being medically unable to compete and will be considered a medical non-counter. Despite no longer being able to contribute on the court, Ament will remain a part of the Crusader volleyball program as a student assistant.
