Heather Hynds enters her second season as a graduate assistant on the Valparaiso coaching staff. In her first season, the Crusaders set a school record with 29 victories, captured Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.

Hynds was a member of the Valpo squad that won the 2003 Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament championships and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament.  Her senior year she helped lead the Crusaders to a then-school record 27 wins.

During her career with the Brown and Gold, she was a Second Team All Mid-Con performer as a junior and earned Defensive Player of the Week accolades during her senior campaign.

She ranks among the top-ten in Valpo history in several career categories.  She is the Brown and Gold’s all-time block leader with 443, while her .256 career hitting percentage ranks fifth.  She also ranks tenth with 893 career kills.  Her block total also ranks third in Mid-Continent Conference history.

Hynds graduated from Valparaiso in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations/communications.  She is currently working on her master’s in sports administration, and hopes to have the degree completed within one year.