5/25/2010
Crusaders Announce 2010 Volleyball Slate
Coming off of an eighth consecutive 20-win season, Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today the Crusaders' schedule for the 2010 campaign.
5/5/2010
Edinger to Join Volleyball Coaching Staff for 2010 Season
Former Michigan City H.S. standout and University of Illinois all-time digs leader Ashley Edinger will join the Valparaiso volleyball staff next year as a graduate assistant, head coach Carin Avery announced today.
4/14/2010
Carin Avery Signs New Four-Year Contract
Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera is pleased to announce today that Carin Avery has signed a new four-year contract to continue as head coach of the Crusader volleyball program.
3/5/2010
Valpo Volleyball Announces Spring Schedule
Valparaiso head volleyball coach Carin Avery announced today her squad's spring 2010 schedule, which has the Crusaders playing on four dates in late March into April.
2/25/2010
Crusader Volleyball Team to Host Summer Camp
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery and the Crusader volleyball team will host a pair of 2010 summer camps this July at the Athletics-Recreation Center. The camp for youths in grades 5-8 will be held July 5-8, while grades 9-12 will attend camp July 8-11.
2/3/2010
Root Named CVU.com ‘Rising Star'
Valparaiso freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named one of the Collegiate Volleyball Update's (CVU.com) ‘Rising Stars', honoring 19 freshmen nationwide who stood out with their performance in their rookie season.
12/18/2009
Porché Receives Academic All-League Honor
Senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) is one of 14 student-athletes that has been named to the Horizon League Academic All-League Volleyball Team, making her second straight appearance on the team.
11/29/2009
Valpo Drops Season Finale to Western Michigan
Valparaiso dropped its season finale to Western Michigan Saturday evening, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-15), in Kalamazoo, Mich.
11/23/2009
Porché Earns Third Team Academic All-American Accolades
Valparaiso senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) has been named an ESPN the Magazine Third Team Academic All-American as chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America), released today. Porché was eligible for the honor after earning Academic All-District V First Team recognition earlier this month.
11/22/2009
Root Earns All-Tournament Team Accolade
Valparaiso freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) was selected to the 2009 Horizon League Championship All-Tournament Team, the league announced today.
11/21/2009
Valpo Falls to Milwaukee in Horizon League Semifinal
Milwaukee's defense forced Valparaiso into 30 hitting errors as the Crusaders fell in three sets to the Panthers (25-14, 26-24, 25-23) Saturday afternoon in Horizon League Championship semifinal action in Cleveland, Ohio.
11/19/2009
Valpo Heads to Horizon League Championship This Weekend
Valparaiso enters this weekend's Horizon League Championship as the tournament's second seed. The Crusaders will receive a bye into the semifinals and need to win just two matches to claim the tournament title and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
11/18/2009
Root Named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year; Joined by Bukowski, Porché on All-League Team
Valparaiso tied for league-high honors by placing three players on the Horizon League All-League Team, as the league announced its year-end awards on Wednesday. Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West), Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) and Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) all represented the Crusaders on the All-League squad, while Root also was named Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Newcomer Team.
11/17/2009
Valpo Volleyball Bringing in Eight New Faces for 2010
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that eight newcomers will be joining the Crusader volleyball program as freshmen for the 2010 season, five of which were on the 2009 AVCA High School All-American Watch List entering their senior years.
11/15/2009
Valpo Second Seed as League Announces Tournament Seedings
Valparaiso has earned the second seed for the 2009 Horizon League Championship in Cleveland, Ohio and receives a bye into the tournament semifinals, as the league officially released the tournament pairings today.
11/14/2009
Valpo Wins at Green Bay; Clinches Second Seed for Horizon League Championship
Valparaiso combined big offensive nights from Tara Diebler and Angie Porché with a stellar team defensive effort on the back line to earn a 3-1 (25-13, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23) victory at Green Bay in the regular season finale Saturday. The win secured the second spot in the league standings for the Crusaders and assured Valpo of a bye into the league championship semifinals.
11/13/2009
Valpo Falls at Milwaukee Friday Night
The Valparaiso volleyball team got out to a fast start Friday night in Milwaukee, Wis., taking the opening set, but Milwaukee won each of the final three frames for a 3-1 (17-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-22) victory over the Crusaders.
11/12/2009
Bukowski Receives ‘The People's Choice' Honor
Valparaiso senior setter Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West) has been named this week's recipient of ‘The People's Choice' honor on the Horizon League Network. Bukowski is currently spotlighted in the featured video on the HLN website via phone interview.
11/10/2009
Valpo Cruises to Sweep Over Chicago State
Each of the 13 available Crusader volleyball players saw action Tuesday night at the ARC, as Valparaiso swept Chicago State (25-12, 25-10, 25-19) in its final home match of the regular season.
11/10/2009
Bukowski Earns CVU Top Performer Recognition
Valparaiso senior setter Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West) has been recognized by the Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) as one of its Top Performers last week after her performances in a pair of Crusader sweeps.
11/9/2009
Bukowski Earns Offensive Player of the Week Honors
Valparaiso senior setter Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West) was honored by the Horizon League today as its Offensive Player of the Week after guiding the Crusaders to some gaudy offensive numbers in a pair of sweeps last weekend.
11/9/2009
Valpo Closes Out Home Slate; Travels in Search of Championship
One final home regular season match, a non-league meeting with Chicago State, leads the Valparaiso volleyball team into a weekend of action at Milwaukee and Green Bay. With a pair of victories this weekend, the Crusaders would win at least a share of the Horizon League regular season championship.
11/7/2009
Valpo Wins 20 for Eighth Straight Season; Sweeps Loyola on Senior Night
On Senior Night at the ARC, it was only fitting that Valparaiso volleyball seniors Haley Wise (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka), Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West) and Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./T.F. South) teamed up for the final point of a 3-0 (32-30, 25-14, 25-19) sweep of Loyola Saturday afternoon. The win was Valpo's 20th of the season, its eighth straight year with at least 20 wins.
11/6/2009
Valpo Rides Stellar Service Game to Victory
The night started out with a Crusader service ace, and by match's end Valparaiso had tallied 11 more aces as it dominated UIC in every statistical category en route to a 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-15) sweep Friday night in Horizon League action at the ARC.
11/5/2009
Porché Earns Academic All-District Honors for Second Straight Year
Valparaiso senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V First Team for the second straight season, as announced by CoSIDA today. With the accolade, Porché is now eligible for Academic All-American consideration.
11/4/2009
Valpo Continues Four-Match Homestand This Weekend
Valparaiso starts down the home stretch of the regular season this weekend, as the Crusaders host UIC on Friday night before welcoming Loyola to the ARC on Senior Day Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders currently sit in second place in the Horizon League standings with just four matches to go in the league season.
10/31/2009
Valpo Wins Five-Set Thriller Over Oakland
In a Halloween-night special Friday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center, Valparaiso gave its home fans a giant treat to take home, rallying from a two-set deficit for a 3-2 (24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-6) victory over Oakland. Jenny Pokorny (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) picked up her first career triple-double in the win, while the Crusaders hit .306 as a team, their best effort in a five-set match since Halloween night 11 years ago.
10/30/2009
Valpo Falls in Four at Butler
Valparaiso was unable to slow down Butler's offensive attack on Friday evening, as the Crusaders fell 3-1 (25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-17) to the Bulldogs in Horizon League action in Indianapolis, Ind.
10/29/2009
Root Named ‘The People's Choice'
Valparaiso freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) became the first two-time recipient of ‘The People's Choice' honor on the Horizon League Network as announced by HLN this afternoon.
10/28/2009
Valpo Faces Pair of Matches This Weekend
Valparaiso concludes a four-match road trip with a key Horizon League showdown against third-place Butler before returning home to the ARC for the start of a four-match homestand against Oakland.
10/26/2009
Root Receives Second Horizon League Weekly Honor of Season
Valparaiso freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year, the league office announced today.
10/24/2009
Valpo Rebounds With Sweep at Wright State
The Valparaiso volleyball team returned to its winning ways Saturday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio, sweeping Wright State (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) in Horizon League action.
10/23/2009
Valpo's Eight-Match Winning Streak Snapped at Cleveland State
The Valparaiso volleyball team saw its season-long eight-match win streak come to an end Friday evening at Cleveland State, as the Crusaders fell 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19) to the Vikings.
10/20/2009
Valpo Uses Late-Set Pushes to Sweep IUPUI
Valparaiso used late-set rallies in each of the final two sets Tuesday evening to sweep former Mid-Con rival IUPUI (25-21, 25-23, 26-24) in Indianapolis, Ind. for the Crusaders' eighth straight victory.
10/19/2009
Porché Earns Second Weekly League Accolade of Season
Valparaiso senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) was named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after putting together a pair of standout offensive performances last week.
10/19/2009
Valpo Volleyball Plays Three on the Road This Week
Valparaiso hits the road for three matches this week looking to extend a season-best seven-match winning streak. The first-place Crusaders head to IUPUI for a non-league contest on Tuesday evening before traveling to Ohio to take on Cleveland State and Wright State this weekend in Horizon League matches.
10/16/2009
Valpo Downs YSU in Four to Win Seventh Straight
Valparaiso kicked off the second half of Horizon League play Friday evening at the ARC the same way it ended the first half of league competition, defeating Youngstown State 3-1 (25-22, 28-26, 19-25, 25-19) for its seventh straight victory overall and to keep pace atop the league standings at 8-1.
10/15/2009
Root Named ‘The People's Choice' on HLN
Crusader freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named ‘The People's Choice' this week on the Horizon League Network, and is spotlighted in the featured video on the HLN website via phone interview.
10/14/2009
Offensive Onslaught Gives Valpo Sixth Straight Victory
Valparaiso hit at a .369 clip Wednesday evening, its second-best single-match performance of the season, as the Crusaders swept Indiana State (25-16, 25-23, 25-16) in non-league action at the Athletics-Recreation Center to extend their winning streak to six.
10/13/2009
Valpo Returns to the ARC For a Pair of Matches
Valparaiso puts a season-best five-match winning streak on the line this week, as the Crusaders return home for a pair of matches. Valpo will step out of league play for the first time in nearly a month to take on Indiana State before hosting Horizon League foe Youngstown State.
10/12/2009
Root Takes League Defensive Player of the Week Accolades
Freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday by the league office after helping Valparaiso to a 4-0 week on the court, including a record-breaking performance against Green Bay.
10/11/2009
Valpo Sweeps UIC to Pick Up Fifth Straight Win
Valparaiso closed out the first half of Horizon League play in sweeping fashion, downing UIC 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-19) Sunday afternoon in Chicago, Ill. The win, Valpo's season-best fifth victory in a row, keeps the Crusaders tied atop the league standings at 7-1.
10/10/2009
Crusaders Remain in First Place With Four-Set Win over Loyola
The Valparaiso volleyball team remained atop the league standings Saturday, winning its 20th straight match in the Chicago city limits as the Crusaders defeated Loyola 3-1 (25-13, 25-22, 16-25, 25-22) in afternoon Horizon League action.
10/7/2009
Valpo Volleyball Nips Milwaukee in Tight Battle
In a nip-and-tuck battle at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Wednesday evening, Valparaiso came out on the winning end over preseason Horizon League favorite Milwaukee, 3-2 (25-23, 16-25, 25-22, 27-29, 15-12) to remain in a tie for first place in the league.
10/6/2009
Root Breaks School Record as Valpo Sweeps Green Bay
Freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) broke the program record for digs in a three-set match, picking up 31 digs Tuesday night as Valparaiso swept Green Bay (26-24, 29-27, 25-22) in Horizon League action at the ARC.
10/5/2009
Busy Week Awaits Crusader Volleyball
The script gets flipped this week for the Valparaiso volleyball team, as following its lightest week of the season, the Crusaders have four Horizon League matches in front of them in a six-day span. Valpo will host Green Bay and Milwaukee in mid-week action before traveling to Loyola and UIC this weekend.
10/2/2009
Valpo Sweeps Butler; Moves Into Tie for First
Valparaiso won the key points at the end of all three sets Friday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center, enabling the Crusaders to sweep Butler (25-21, 25-20, 25-23) to move into a tie for first place in the Horizon League standings.
9/30/2009
Valpo Volleyball to Host Butler on 'Blackout Night' at the ARC
It is a brief but important week for the Valparaiso volleyball team, as the Crusaders host in-state rival Butler on Friday evening. The matchup against the Bulldogs, which enter the week as the Horizon League's only undefeated squad in league play, has been designated as Blackout Night at the ARC, with all fans encouraged to wear black to support the Crusaders.
9/26/2009
Crusaders Fall to Cleveland State
Valparaiso was unable to slow down the Cleveland State attack in action Saturday night at the Athletics-Recreation Center, as the visiting Vikings came away with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-17) victory over the Crusaders.
9/25/2009
Crusaders Ride Rally to Five-Set Victory in Home Opener
Trailing two sets to one and down 22-17 in the fourth frame, Valparaiso turned the tide of the match quickly, reeling off seven straight points to spur a 3-2 (21-25, 25-13, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11) victory over Wright State Friday in the Crusaders' home opener at the ARC.
9/24/2009
Porché Earns Inaugural HLN ‘The People's Choice' Honor
Valparaiso senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) has been named the inaugural recipient of ‘The People's Choice' honor on the Horizon League Network, and is currently highlighted in the featured video on HLN via phone interview.
9/22/2009
Crusader Volleyball Opens Home Campaign With Two Matches
After four weekends on the road in Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Valparaiso finally opens the 2009 home campaign at the ARC this weekend with matches against Horizon League foes Wright State (Friday) and Cleveland State (Saturday). Prior to Saturday's match, the Crusader parents will be hosting a free cookout in between the ARC and the Fitness Center at 5 p.m.
9/21/2009
Porché Earns League Player of the Week Honors
Valparaiso senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) has been named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week for her performance last weekend, the league announced today.
9/20/2009
Porché Earns All-Tournament Accolades at Pitt
Valparaiso senior outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) represented the Crusaders on the Pitt Blue and Gold Tournament All-Tournament Team, as announced Sunday evening by the host Panthers.
9/19/2009
Crusaders Split Two Matches at Pitt Saturday
Valparaiso played a pair of matches Saturday at the Pitt Blue and Gold Tournament on Saturday, sweeping Maryland-Eastern Shore (25-12, 25-20, 25-20) before falling to the host Panthers, 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23).
9/18/2009
Crusaders Open League Play With Sweep at Youngstown State
Valparaiso opened the 2009 Horizon League campaign on Friday evening in Youngstown, Ohio the same way it closed the league slate last year, sweeping the Penguins of Youngstown State (25-21, 25-19, 25-15).
9/16/2009
Valpo Set to Kick Off League Play, Play in Final Regular-Season Tournament
The Valparaiso volleyball team kicks off Horizon League play on Friday evening with a match at Youngstown State, and then continues further east on Saturday, playing in the Pitt Blue and Gold Tournament against Maryland Eastern Shore, as well as the host Panthers.
9/12/2009
Crusaders Rally, Fall in Five to Salukis
Valparaiso fought back from a two sets to none deficit Saturday evening against host Southern Illinois in the championship match at the Saluki Invitational, but could not complete the comeback, as Southern Illinois earned the 3-2 (25-9, 25-19, 18-25, 20-25, 15-8) victory. Amy Groesbeck (Wheaton, Ill./North) and Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West) represented the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team.
9/12/2009
Crusaders Record Third Straight Sweep in Victory over UAB
Valparaiso registered its third consecutive sweep Saturday morning in action at the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Ill., sweeping Conference USA foe and 2008 NCAA Tournament second round participant UAB (25-19, 26-24, 25-20) to put the Crusaders in position to claim the tournament crown later tonight against host Southern Illinois.
9/11/2009
Crusaders Sweep Murray State in Opener of Saluki Invitational
Valparaiso began play Friday afternoon at the Saluki Invitational on a high note, rolling over its momentum from last weekend in a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-16, 25-17) of Murray State in Carbondale, Ill.
9/9/2009
Valpo Volleyball Launches New Blog
Follow the Valparaiso volleyball program through its newly released team blog. Check back frequently for the latest thoughts from head coach Carin Avery as well as junior Katie Layman and sophomore Katie Britton. They will give you a behind the scenes look into the program as the Crusaders take aim at the Horizon League Championship!
9/9/2009
Crusaders Continue Pre-League Play at Southern Illinois
Valparaiso concludes pre-league competition this weekend in a challenging tournament field at Southern Illinois' Saluki Invitational, facing Murray State and UAB in addition to the host Salukis.
9/5/2009
Britton, Root Named to All-Tournament Team at Drake
Sophomore Katie Britton (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) and freshman Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) represented Valparaiso on the Hampton Inn Drake Invitational All-Tournament Team, as announced at the conclusion of the tournament Saturday night.
9/5/2009
Crusaders Close With Pair of Wins at Drake Invitational
Valparaiso rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 (22-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-20, 15-12) victory over South Dakota at the Hampton Inn Drake Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday morning. The Crusaders then carried that momentum into their afternoon match, closing the tournament with a 3-1 record after a 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-17) sweep of Centenary.
9/4/2009
Crusaders Split Pair of Matches at Hampton Inn Drake Invitational
Valparaiso earned its first victory of the season Friday afternoon in action at the Hampton Inn Drake Invitational, defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16), but the host Bulldogs swept the Crusaders in the day's nightcap (25-22, 25-21, 25-12).
9/2/2009
Crusaders Head to Drake for Four Matches
Valparaiso continues pre-league play this weekend with a quartet of matches at the Hampton Inn Drake Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa. The Crusaders will face off against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, South Dakota and Centenary in addition to the host Bulldogs.
8/29/2009
Crusaders Rally Back, Fall to UNLV in Four
Valparaiso stared down a seven-point deficit in the third set Saturday afternoon and rallied for the set victory, but it would not be enough, as UNLV eventually downed the Crusaders in four sets (25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19) in Valpo's final match at the Campus USA Credit Union Invite in Gainesville, Fla. Freshman libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) was awarded All-Tournament honors after picking up 32 digs and seven assists over the two matches.
8/28/2009
Crusaders Hang Tough, Fall in Three in Opener
Valparaiso hung tough against Big 12 foe Colorado Friday afternoon in action at the Campus USA Credit Union Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., earning ties or leads late in all three frames, but the Buffaloes eventually earned the 3-0 (31-29, 25-23, 25-21) victory over the Crusaders.
8/26/2009
Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Season in Florida
Valparaiso kicks off the 2009 campaign this weekend in Gainesville, Fla. with a pair of matches at Florida's Campus USA Credit Union Invite. The Crusaders will take on Colorado at 4 p.m. CDT on Friday afternoon before facing off against UNLV at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, one-half hour earlier than the original scheduled start time.
8/24/2009
Crusader Volleyball Looks for Eighth Straight 20-Win Season in 2009
The Valparaiso volleyball program's reign of excellence rolled right along in 2008, as the Crusaders won 25 matches and finished in second place in the Horizon League in their second league season. Entering the 2009 campaign, there is no reason to believe another stellar season isn't in the cards, as the Crusaders bring back ten returnees in the fight to earn their first Horizon League crown.
8/18/2009
Crusader Volleyball Picked Second in League Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso volleyball squad has been predicted to finish second in the Horizon League in 2009, as chosen by the league's nine head coaches. The Crusaders tallied 58 points and received two first-place votes.
8/12/2009
Malicoat Finishes Career 11th in NCAA History in Digs
Former Valparaiso volleyball standout Brittany Malicoat (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) closed out her stellar Crusader career ranked 11th in NCAA history in career digs, according to the organization's 2009 Volleyball Records Book released this week.
7/24/2009
Crusaders Earn Sixth Consecutive AVCA Academic Award
The Valparaiso University volleyball program received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2008-09 school year, it was announced Friday. This marks the sixth straight year that the Crusaders have received the honor from the AVCA.
5/29/2009
Valparaiso Announces 2009 Volleyball Slate
Coming off of a seventh straight 20-win campaign, Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today the squad's schedule for the 2009 campaign, which features 11 matches at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
5/1/2009
Porché One of Ten Female Finalists for 2009 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award
Valparaiso outside hitter Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) has been named one of ten female finalists nationwide, representing the sport of volleyball, for the 2009 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award, as announced by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. Both the female and male winners will be announced and profiled in its May 28, 2009 edition.
4/16/2009
Cromwell Joins Crusader Volleyball as Assistant Coach
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Craig Cromwell has been hired as an assistant coach for the Crusader program. Cromwell comes to Valpo from Chesterton H.S., where he served as an assistant coach for the last four years.
3/19/2009
Crusader Volleyball Team to Host Summer Camp
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery and the Crusader volleyball team will host their 2009 summer camp for youths in grades 6-12 at the Athletics-Recreation Center from July 6-9.
