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 11^th time in the last 13 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 131 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 2015-16 season.  On the court last year, Valpo won 27 matches, including a school-record nine consecutive wins to start the season, and advanced to the Horizon League championship match. The Crusaders have now won at least 20 matches in each of the last 14 seasons, including all 11 years they have earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, and own a 277-96 (.743) record in the 11 years in which the program has earned the academic honor from the AVCA.

Valparaiso was one of seven Horizon League institutions to earn the honor for the 2015-16 campaign.