6/7/2018
Crusader Volleyball to Host Summer Camp
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery and the Crusader volleyball program will host its annual summer camp from July 9-12, 2018 at the Athletics-Recreation Center on the Valpo campus. The camp is open to both girls and boys, grades 3-12.
4/12/2018
Valpo Volleyball to Host Northwestern Saturday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team will host Northwestern at the ARC on Saturday afternoon as part of its 2018 spring schedule.
2/27/2018
Volleyball Receives NCAA Statistical Champion Plaque For Digs
The Valparaiso University volleyball program received its NCAA statistical champion plaque this week, recognizing the Crusaders for leading the country in digs/set during the 2017 season. Valpo’s average of 20.03 digs/set was the second-highest single-season average by a Division I team since the move to 25-point scoring prior to the 2008 campaign.
12/8/2017
Carin Avery To Be Inducted Into Ball State Hall of Fame As Part of 1994 Team
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery will be inducted as part of the 1994 Ball State University volleyball team into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend. As part of the ceremonies, Avery and the rest of the inductees will be recognized at halftime of the Valpo-Ball State men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon.
12/5/2017
Cookerly Honored as Regional Freshman of the Year
Following her standout rookie season for the Crusaders, Valparaiso University freshman libero Rylee Cookerly (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) has been honored as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Midwest Region Freshman of the Year. Cookerly is one of just 10 freshmen nationwide to earn the regional Freshman of the Year accolade, and is now up for consideration for National Freshman of the Year.
11/26/2017
Graboski Named to MVC All-Tournament Team
Valparaiso University senior middle hitter Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) closed out her Crusader career with one final All-Tournament honor, as she was selected to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Tournament Team following the conclusion of the conference’s postseason event.
11/23/2017
Crusaders Fall to Illinois State at MVC Tournament
The sixth-seeded Valparaiso University volleyball team took the first set from third-seeded Illinois State Thursday night in its first-ever match at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Normal, Ill., but the Redbirds claimed each of the next three sets as Valpo’s season came to an end, 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19).
11/23/2017
Graboski Named First Team All-MVC; Anderson, Cookerly Earn All-Freshman Honors
Valparaiso University volleyball senior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) has been named a First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as the conference office announced its postseason awards on Thursday. The Crusaders were also represented by a pair of players on the conference’s All-Freshman Team: Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) and Rylee Cookerly (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg).
11/22/2017
Volleyball Heads to MVC Tournament
The Valparaiso University volleyball team heads to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament for the first time this week, as the Crusaders earned the sixth seed for the 2017 edition of the tournament in Normal, Ill. Third-seeded Illinois State - the host school - awaits Valpo in the first round, as the Crusaders will need to win three matches to capture the tournament title.
11/21/2017
Trio of Crusaders Named to MVC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Teams
The Valparaiso University volleyball team placed three players on the Missouri Valley Conference’s Scholar-Athlete Teams, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday. Redshirt junior Allison Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) earned First Team Scholar-Athlete honors, while juniors Sydney Bronner (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth) and Katherine Carlson (Lake Orion, Mich./Notre Dame Prep) were both Honorable Mention recipients.
11/20/2017
Anderson Named MVC Freshman of the Week
Valparaiso University freshman setter Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) picked up her second Freshman of the Week award from the Missouri Valley Conference on Monday following a strong conclusion to the regular season.
11/18/2017
Senior Night Win Caps Regular Season For Volleyball
It was only apropos that, celebrating Senior Night at the ARC on Sautrday night, senior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) capped off a sweep with a thunderous kill as the Valparaiso University volleyball team took down Southern Illinois, 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-12) to close out the regular season. Prior to the match, Graboski and Catherine Ament (New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) were honored for their four years of service to the Crusader program.
11/17/2017
Crusaders Secure Spot in MVC Tournament Friday; Fall to #25 Missouri State
The Valparaiso University volleyball team battled gamely against MVC regular season champion and 25th-ranked Missouri State Friday night at the ARC, but the Bears claimed a tight first two sets on their way to a 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-20) victory over the Crusaders. Despite the loss, the Crusaders secured a berth in next week’s MVC Tournament with SIU’s loss at Loyola.
11/16/2017
Ketcham Earns Academic All-District Accolade
Valparaiso University volleyball redshirt junior Allison Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) has been named a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-District V honoree for her work both on the volleyball court and in the classroom.
11/15/2017
Volleyball Prepares For Final Regular Season Matches
The scenario entering the final weekend of Missouri Valley Conference regular season play is simple for the Valparaiso University volleyball team this weekend. With one win over the final two matches, the Crusaders will be in the MVC Tournament. Valpo will host #25 Missouri State on Friday evening before welcoming Southern Illinois on Saturday night. Saturday night will be Senior Night for the Crusader program, as Valpo celebrates seniors Catherine Ament and Taylor Graboski.
11/15/2017
Volleyball Announces Pair of Signings
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Jillian Grant and Haley Hart have signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period and will be joining the Crusader volleyball program as freshmen for the 2018 season.
11/11/2017
Crusaders Topped by Sycamores Saturday Evening
Looking for its first sweep of a weekend of MVC play this season, the Valparaiso University volleyball team came up just short Saturday evening in Terre Haute, Ind., falling to host Indiana State, 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17).
11/10/2017
Volleyball Secures Critical Road Win at Evansville Friday
Tied at one set apiece entering the third set Friday at Evansville, the Valparaiso University volleyball team rolled to a win in the third set and then won the key points late in the fourth set in a 3-1 (25-12, 18-25, 25-15, 25-22) victory over the Purple Aces. Freshman libero Rylee Cookerly (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) broke Valpo’s record for digs in a season by a freshman in the victory.
11/8/2017
Volleyball Heads Out For Final Regular Season Road Trip
With just four matches remaining in the regular season, the Valparaiso University volleyball team heads on the road for the final time for a pair of key MVC contests, as the Crusaders take on Evansville Friday night and Indiana State Saturday evening. Both matches are against teams battling with Valpo for spots in the MVC Tournament.
11/4/2017
Volleyball Bounces Back With Sweep of Bradley
The Valparaiso University volleyball team rolled to a key Missouri Valley Conference victory over Bradley Saturday evening at the ARC, downing the Braves in straight sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-16).
11/3/2017
Volleyball Falls to Illinois State Friday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team battled against Illinois State in Missouri Valley Conference action Friday night, but the Redbirds earned key points late in all three sets as the Crusaders fell 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 26-24).
11/1/2017
Volleyball Handles Chicago State in Mid-Week Sweep
The Valparaiso University volleyball team closed out its 2017 non-conference slate at Chicago State Wednesday evening with a win, sweeping the host Cougars in straight sets (25-17, 25-18, 25-23).
10/31/2017
Busy Stretch Continues For Volleyball This Week
The Valparaiso University volleyball team will keep busy this week, facing three opponents in the span of four nights. The Crusaders will make the short trip to Chicago for their final non-conference match of the year Wednesday night against Chicago State before returning home to the ARC for a weekend of MVC play against Illinois State Friday evening and Bradley Saturday night.
10/30/2017
Crusaders Battle Conference Leader Missouri State Monday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team stood strong with a showdown against MVC leader Missouri State on Monday evening in Springfield, Mo., but in the end, the Bears emerged with a 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19) victory. Missouri State entered the match just outside the top-25 in the latest AVCA national poll.
10/27/2017
Volleyball Sweeps Loyola Friday Night
The Valparaiso University volleyball team earned its fourth sweep in the last five matches on Friday evening at the ARC, using a balanced team effort to take down Loyola, 3-0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-22), in Missouri Valley Conference action. With her final dig of the night, redshirt junior Allison Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) moved into a tie for tenth place in program history for career digs.
10/26/2017
Valley Play Rolls On For Volleyball
The Valparaiso University volleyball team closes out the month of October with a pair of Valley matches this weekend. The Crusaders host travel partner Loyola at the ARC on Friday night before making the trip to Springfield, Mo. to face conference leader Missouri State for the first time this season on Monday evening. Friday night's match is Student Appreciation Night at the ARC, with the first 200 students in attendance receiving a free t-shirt.
10/23/2017
Bronner Named MVC Defensive Player of the Week
Valparaiso University junior middle hitter Sydney Bronner (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 14 blocks in a pair of matches for the Crusaders last weekend.
10/21/2017
Crusaders Drop Valiant Battle at #25 UNI
The Valparaiso University volleyball team stood toe-to-toe with perennial MVC power and nationally-ranked UNI Saturday evening in Cedar Falls, Iowa and earned a match-point chance in the fourth set, but in the end, the Panthers came out on top in a 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 22-25, 29-27, 15-9) final.
10/20/2017
Crusaders Sweep Drake On the Road Friday Night
The Valparaiso University volleyball team avenged one of its early conference losses on Friday evening in Des Moines, Iowa, as the Crusaders easily handled Drake for a 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-15) road victory.
10/17/2017
Volleyball Sweeps Fort Wayne Tuesday Night
The Valparaiso University volleyball team extended its non-conference winning streak to six consecutive matches on Tuesday evening at the ARC, earning its second straight sweep in a 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-22) victory over Fort Wayne.
10/16/2017
Crusaders Face Three Matches This Week
The Valparaiso University volleyball team closes out a quick three-match homestand with a non-conference matchup against Fort Wayne at home on Tuesday. The Crusaders then take the road as they hit the halfway mark of MVC play, traveling to take on Drake and UNI. Tuesday's match will be a "Two-Fer Tuesday", as fans can buy one ticket and get one free!
10/14/2017
Volleyball Bounces Back With Sweep of Evansville Saturday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team closed out the weekend of MVC action on a high note on Saturday evening at the ARC, putting together one of its best performances of the year in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-18) sweep of Evansville.
10/13/2017
Zaleski Sets Career High For Crusaders Friday Night
The Valparaiso University volleyball received a career-high 12 kills Friday night from junior Lizzie Zaleski (Oak Lawn, Ill./Marist), but the Crusaders fell at the ARC to Indiana State, 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22).
10/11/2017
Volleyball Returns to the ARC This Weekend
The Valparaiso University volleyball team returns home to the ARC this week as it continues Missouri Valley Conference action against a pair of in-state foes. Indiana State comes to town on Friday for the Crusaders' annual breast cancer awareness match, and Evansville wraps up the weekend on Saturday.
10/7/2017
Volleyball Comes Up Just Short Saturday at Illinois State
The Valparaiso University volleyball team took the first two sets at Illinois State Saturday evening as it took aim at completing a weekend sweep in MVC action, but the Redbirds came back and won the final three sets as the Crusaders fell, 3-2 (19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-12).
10/6/2017
Volleyball Sweeps Bradley For MVC Road Victory
A stout defense led the way once again for the Valparaiso University volleyball team on Friday evening, as the Crusaders secured their second straight road win in MVC play with a three-set sweep at Bradley (25-18, 25-17, 25-22).
10/4/2017
Volleyball Heads Back on the Road This Weekend
The Valparaiso University volleyball team heads to central Illinois this weekend to continue MVC play, playing at Bradley on Friday evening before heading to Illinois State on Saturday night. The Crusaders are coming off of their first MVC victory on Sunday at Loyola.
10/1/2017
Volleyball Picks Up First MVC Victory at Loyola
The Valparaiso University volleyball team earned its first victory as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference on Sunday afternoon, going on the road to Loyola and downing the Ramblers in four sets (25-19, 25-15, 18-25, 25-16).
9/29/2017
Volleyball Continues MVC Play Sunday at Loyola
The Valparaiso University volleyball team continues a string of four consecutive road matches on Sunday afternoon as the Crusaders make the short trip to Chicago to face off with Loyola.
9/25/2017
Graboski Reaches Milestone Monday at SIU
Valparaiso University volleyball senior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) reached 1,000 career kills Monday evening as part of a stellar all-around outing, but it wouldn’t be enough for the Crusaders to come out victors at Southern Illinois, as the host Salukis downed Valpo, 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 26-24).
9/23/2017
Volleyball Drops Saturday Match to Drake
Playing in sweltering heat for a second consecutive night, the Valparaiso University volleyball team came up just short in three close sets Saturday evening at the ARC against Drake (25-23, 25-22, 29-27) in Missouri Valley Conference action.
9/22/2017
Volleyball Battles #22 UNI In First MVC Home Contest
The Valparaiso University volleyball team welcomed #22 UNI to the ARC in the Crusaders’ first-ever home Missouri Valley Conference match in any sport Friday evening and claimed the second set from the Panthers to even the match at 1-1, but UNI eventually emerged with a 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16) victory in both teams’ conference opener.
9/19/2017
Volleyball To Host First MVC Home Event As Conference Play Opens
Friday night will be a special night at the ARC, as Valparaiso University hosts its first Missouri Valley Conference event in any sport when nationally-ranked UNI visits to take on the Crusader volleyball team to open conference play. Valpo will then play host to Drake Saturday night before hitting the road for a Monday night conference match at Southern Illinois.
9/18/2017
Anderson Named MVC Freshman of the Week
On the back of a trio of strong performances last week and an All-Tournament Team award at Western Illinois, Valparaiso University freshman setter Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week.
9/16/2017
Bronner Named Tournament MVP; Anderson, Graboski All-Tournament
After earning the tournament title at Western Illinois’ Buffalo Wild Wings Invitational this weekend, the Valparaiso University volleyball team placed three players on the All-Tournament Team – led by junior middle Sydney Bronner (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth), who was named Tournament MVP. Bronner was joined on the All-Tournament Team by freshman setter Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) and senior middle Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky).
9/15/2017
Volleyball Wins Pair of Matches to Claim BWW Invitational Title
The Valparaiso University volleyball team dug deep to secure the Buffalo Wild Wings Invitational championship Friday in Macomb, Ill., posting one of the top dig totals in a four-set match in program history in a 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19) victory over McNeese Friday evening. Earlier in the day, Valpo took care of business against host Western Illinois, sweeping the Leathernecks in straight sets (25-22, 25-23, 25-19). The Crusaders have now won five consecutive matches entering Missouri Valley Conference play next weekend.
9/13/2017
Volleyball Takes Down EIU In Home Opener
In front of a great crowd at the ARC in its home opener on Tuesday night, the Valparaiso University volleyball team put together a strong all-around performance in a 3-1 (25-13, 25-17, 18-25, 25-14) victory in non-conference action over Eastern Illinois. Redshirt junior Allison Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) set a new career best in the win with 29 digs, while freshman Ally Cummings (Novi, Mich./Novi) led the way offensively with a season-high 15 kills on .394 hitting.
9/12/2017
Volleyball Opens At Home, Closes Pre-Conference Schedule
The Valparaiso University volleyball team gets its first chance to play in front of its home fans on Wednesday evening as the Crusaders host Eastern Illinois at the ARC. The final early-season tournament is on the docket for this weekend, with matchups against Western Illinois and McNeese State at WIU's Buffalo Wild Wings Invitational.
9/11/2017
Volleyball Season Tickets Available Now
Season tickets for the 2017 Valparaiso University volleyball team’s home schedule at the ARC are available through the athletics ticket office. Season tickets are currently priced at just $25 apiece as a special deal to celebrate Valpo's first season in the Missouri Valley Conference, include a ticket to each of Valpo’s 11 home matches and will be on sale through Saturday, Sept. 23 at the special discounted rate.
9/9/2017
Volleyball Earns Pair Of Victories To Close Cornell Invitational
The Valparaiso University volleyball team ensured a happy trip home from New York on Saturday as the Crusaders earned a pair of four-set victories to finish off play at the Cornell Invitational, downing Binghamton 3-1 (25-17, 25-18, 19-25, 25-20) in the early afternoon before capping off the tournament with a 3-1 (32-30, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17) victory over the Big Red. Junior Sydney Bronner, who set a pair of new career highs versus Cornell, represented Valpo on the All-Tournament Team as the Crusaders tied St. John’s and Cornell for the tournament’s best record at 2-1.
9/8/2017
Volleyball Opens Cornell Invitational Friday
The Valparaiso University volleyball team opened play at the Cornell Invitational on Friday afternoon against St. John’s, but was unable to top their Big East opponent despite a strong offensive match from Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky), falling to the Red Storm 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14).
9/7/2017
Volleyball Heads to Cornell Invitational
Early-season tournament action continues for the Valparaiso University volleyball program this week with a trip to Ithaca, N.Y. for the Cornell Invitational. The Crusaders, who enter the weekend leading the nation in digs, will face off with St. John's and Binghamton before concluding tournament play against the host Big Red.
9/5/2017
Cookerly Named MVC Freshman of the Week
Valparaiso University volleyball freshman Rylee Cookerly (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week after another strong set of performances last weekend at libero for the Crusaders.
9/3/2017
Ally Cummings Earns All-Tournament Accolades
Valparaiso University volleyball freshman Ally Cummings (Novi, Mich./Novi) represented the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the Jackrabbits Invitational. Cummings is the third Valpo rookie to earn All-Tournament honors in the first two weeks of the season.
9/2/2017
Volleyball Closes Weekend With Victory
The Valparaiso University volleyball team closed out action from the Jackrabbits Invitational in Brookings, S.D. on Saturday on a winning note, sweeping host South Dakota State in three straight sets (25-15, 25-23, 25-23).
9/1/2017
Volleyball Drops Pair of Matches Friday in South Dakota
The Valparaiso University volleyball team kicked off the Jackrabbits Invitational from Brookings, S.D. on Friday, falling 3-1 to CSU Bakersfield (27-29, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22) and 3-0 to Northern Arizona (25-19, 25-22, 25-19). In the third set of the opener against CSU Bakersfield, redshirt junior Allison Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) surpassed the 1,000-dig milestone for her career.
8/31/2017
Volleyball Continues Early-Season Action In South Dakota
The Valparaiso University volleyball team heads north for the second of four early-season tournaments this weekend, traveling to Brookings, S.D. for the Jackrabbits Invitational. The Crusaders will face off with Cal State Bakersfield and Northern Arizona on Friday before taking on the hosts from South Dakota State on Saturday.
8/26/2017
Crusaders Take Down Rhode Island On Final Day at Notre Dame
The Valparaiso University volleyball team split a pair of matches on the final day of action at the Golden Dome Invitational from Notre Dame, Ind., falling to New Mexico State, 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-20) before sweeping Rhode Island, 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-17) on Saturday. Two of Valpo’s freshmen – Brittany Anderson (East Chicago, Ind./Bishop Noll) and Rylee Cookerly (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) – represented the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team.
8/25/2017
Cookerly Sets Valpo Program Record in Debut Versus Notre Dame
The Valparaiso University volleyball program boasts a strong tradition of successful liberos, but freshman Rylee Cookerly (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) topped them all on Friday, setting a new program single-match record with 43 digs as the Crusaders battled with ACC foe Notre Dame in an eventual 3-1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-9) defeat in their season opener.
8/24/2017
Volleyball Heads to Notre Dame to Open 2017 Season
The Valparaiso University volleyball team kicks off the 2017 season this weekend with its first of four early-season tournaments, making the short trip east on the Indiana Toll Road to Notre Dame for the Golden Dome Invitational. Valpo will face the host Fighting Irish on Friday evening at 6 p.m. CT before taking on New Mexico State and Rhode Island on Saturday at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
8/21/2017
Volleyball Season Preview
A program which has enjoyed a sustained level of success few programs can match over the past 15 years, the Valparaiso University volleyball team finds itself in the position of being a hunter in its first season of Missouri Valley Conference competition in 2017.
8/16/2017
Volleyball Tabbed Seventh In MVC Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso University volleyball team has been chosen to finish in seventh place in the Missouri Valley Conference in its first season as a Valley member in 2017, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches.
7/24/2017
Crusaders Claim AVCA Team Academic Award
The Valparaiso University volleyball program received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2016-17 academic year, as announced by the AVCA today. It marks the 12th time in the last 14 seasons that the Crusaders have earned the award. In addition, Valpo was named to the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative team GPA which ranks among the top-25 in Division I volleyball.
7/18/2017
Valpo Volleyball Announces 2017 Schedule
Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today the Crusaders’ schedule for the upcoming 2017 season as Valpo prepares for its first season of action in the Missouri Valley Conference.
7/13/2017
Valpo In The Valley: Volleyball
Continuing the #ValpoInTheValley series, which will take a look at each of the Missouri Valley Conference’s 17 sports, is volleyball. Learn about the landscape of The Valley in volleyball, how Valpo has fared against opponents from The Valley in the past, and hear from head coach Carin Avery as she talks about what the program is looking forward to entering its first season of MVC competition and who will lead the way in 2017 for her team.
