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 12^th 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.

The team academic award is given to college and high school teams which display 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 145 Division I programs to be so honored this season.

With 2016-2017 marking the 25th anniversary of the award, the AVCA introduced the Team Academic Honor Roll for the first time this year, honoring the programs which rank among the best in their respective divisions in GPA. The Crusaders posted a team GPA last academic year of 3.627, as every team member carried at least a 3.20 GPA for the year.

Valpo’s continued commitment to success in the classroom has not hindered the Crusaders’ success on the court. In the 12 seasons that the program has earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, Valpo owns an overall record of 292-115 (.717).

Valparaiso was one of eight current Missouri Valley Conference programs to receive recognition from the AVCA.