6/21/2013
Crusader Volleyball Announces 2013 Schedule
One of just 11 volleyball programs in the nation to win at least 20 matches every season since 2002, Valparaiso will be in search of its 12th straight 20-win campaign in 2013, facing a schedule announced today by Crusader head coach Carin Avery. The schedule is highlighted by a five-team tournament the Crusaders will host at the ARC during the second weekend of regular season action.
6/10/2013
Avery Gives Commencement Speech at Mishawaka H.S.
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery returned to her alma mater on Sunday as the commencement speaker at Mishawaka High School's graduation ceremony.
4/9/2013
Bouza to Join Crusader Volleyball Program in Fall of 2013
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Lexis Bouza, a 5'10" right side hitter/defensive specialist, has agreed to join the Crusader volleyball program as a freshman in the fall of 2013. The addition of Bouza gives the Crusaders seven incoming freshmen for the 2013 season.
3/27/2013
Crusader Volleyball Team to Host Pair of Summer Camps
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery and the Crusader volleyball team will host its annual summer camp from July 8-11, 2013 at the Athletics-Recreation Center on the Valpo campus. The camp is open to both girls and boys, grades 3-12. The Crusaders will also be hosting another camp as part of a combination Soccer/Volleyball camp from August 5-7, 2013 for youths in grades K-8.
2/26/2013
Crusaders Add Chittum to 2013 Incoming Class
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Emily Chittum (Horseshoe Bay, Texas/Marble Falls) has agreed to join the Crusader volleyball program as a freshman for the 2013 season. Chittum joins the previously announced five signees from the early signing period to form a six-player incoming class.
2/11/2013
Incoming Freshman Longoria Earns All-American Honor
Valparaiso volleyball commit Morganne Longoria has been named a PrepVolleyball.com High School All-American following her senior season of high school, one of just 150 players nationwide, as well as one of just six liberos, to receive the honor.
2/10/2013
Ten Crusaders Named to Academic All-Horizon League Squads
Valparaiso placed a league-high ten student-athletes over five sports on the Horizon League's 2012 Fall Academic All-League Teams, as announced by the league office.
12/13/2012
Root Named Honorable Mention All-American
For the third consecutive season, Valparaiso senior libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named an Honorable Mention All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Root becomes the first player in Valpo volleyball history to receive the national accolade three times.
12/4/2012
Root Earns Third All-Region Honor; Vanden Berg Named Honorable Mention
For the third straight season, Valparaiso had a pair of players honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as the organization released its all-region teams on Tuesday. Senior libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) earned All-Midwest Region accolades for the third straight year, while junior middle Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis.) was named an Honorable Mention All-Midwest Region recipient for the first time.
11/27/2012
Valpo Volleyball Bringing In Five Newcomers For 2013
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that five high school seniors have signed with the Crusaders during the early signing period. Rachel Bruinsma, Emily Campbell, Tarrah Lasky, Jamie Lacheta and Morganne Longoria will all join the Valpo program as freshmen for the 2013 season.
11/18/2012
Dent Named to All-Tournament Team
Valparaiso senior Mary Dent (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben) closed out her Crusader career by being named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team, it was announced on Sunday.
11/17/2012
Crusaders Drop Five-Set Match to UIC in HL Semifinal
Third-seeded Valparaiso jumped out to a two-set lead over second-seeded UIC, but the Flames won each of the final three sets to take a 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-16, 25-14, 15-13) victory in Horizon League semifinal action Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio.
11/16/2012
Crusaders Sweep Youngstown State, Advance to Semifinal
The third-seeded Valparaiso volleyball team advanced to the Horizon League Championship semifinal on Friday evening, courtesy of a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20) sweep of sixth-seeded Youngstown State in Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders will take on second-seeded UIC in the second semifinal Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
11/15/2012
Valpo Volleyball Treks to Cleveland For HL Championship
The Valparaiso volleyball team travels to the Horizon League Championship this weekend in Cleveland, Ohio as the tournament’s third seed. The Crusaders will open tournament play against #6 Youngstown State on Friday evening, and will need to win three matches in three days to capture the league title and the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
11/12/2012
Root Earns Third Straight HL Defensive Player of the Year Award; Four Crusaders Honored
Valparaiso volleyball senior Taylor Root became the first player in Horizon League history to earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards and just the third player in league history to earn All-League honors in each of her four seasons, as the league office announced its volleyball postseason awards on Monday. Root was joined on the All-League squad by junior Ellen Vanden Berg and sophomore Morgan Beil, while freshman Kelsey Berrington was named to the league’s All-Newcomer Team.
11/11/2012
Crusaders Win 20 Matches For 11th Straight Season
Senior Day was a memorable day at the ARC for Valparaiso volleyball seniors Mary Dent (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben) and Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison), as the Crusaders swept Milwaukee 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19). The win was Valpo's 20th of the 2012 season, extending the program's streak of 20-win campaigns to 11 consecutive seasons.
11/10/2012
Crusaders Sweep Green Bay Saturday Evening
The Valparaiso volleyball team swept its way to its 19th win of the season on Saturday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center, defeating Green Bay in three straight sets (25-16, 25-15, 25-23).
11/7/2012
Crusader Volleyball Closes Regular Season This Weekend
The Valparaiso volleyball team closes out its regular season at the ARC this weekend, hosting Green Bay on Saturday night and Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon. Sunday also marks Senior Day for the Crusader program, as Mary Dent and Taylor Root will be honored for their four years with the team.
11/5/2012
Victor Named HL Offensive Player of the Week
Valparaiso redshirt sophomore Kelsey Victor >(Logansport, Ind./Logansport) earned her first career weekly award from the Horizon League office on Monday, as she was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week after breaking her career high for kills in back-to-back matches last weekend.
11/3/2012
Volleyball Drops Five-Set Match at Cleveland State
For the second time this season, Valparaiso rallied from a two-set deficit against league leader Cleveland State, but seven attack errors in the fifth set doomed the Crusaders on Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio, as the Vikings pulled out a 3-2 (25-20, 25-17, 11-25, 21-25, 15-11) victory over Valpo.
11/2/2012
Crusaders Make It Five Straight With Win at YSU
In a match which saw all four sets go down to the wire, it was Valparaiso which came out with its fifth straight victory, defeating Youngstown State Friday night 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24) in Youngstown, Ohio to remain in second place in the Horizon League standings.
11/1/2012
Volleyball Hits Road to Northeast Ohio
Winners of a season-best four straight matches and seven of its last eight, the Valparaiso volleyball team hits the road to northeastern Ohio this weekend, taking on Youngstown State Friday night and Cleveland State Saturday afternoon.
10/30/2012
Crusaders Take Down Chicago State
The Valparaiso volleyball team extended its winning streak to a season-long four matches on Tuesday night, downing Chicago State 3-1 (25-15, 16-15, 25-13, 25-11) in Chicago, Ill.
10/29/2012
Root Earns Third Weekly League Award of the Season
Valparaiso senior libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named Defensive Player of the Week by the Horizon League for the third time this season after yet another standout week in the back row for the Crusaders.
10/26/2012
Crusaders Sweep Wright State for Third Straight Win
The Valparaiso volleyball team extended its winning streak to three matches on Friday evening, sweeping Wright State 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-18) at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
10/24/2012
Valpo Hosts Wright State Before Starting Road Trip
Valparaiso concludes a four-match homestand on Friday evening as the Crusaders play host to Wright State at the ARC in their annual “Dig Pink” match. Valpo then steps out of league play for the final time on Tuesday night, traveling to play at Chicago State.
10/23/2012
Crusaders Take Down IUPUI Behind Hobbs’ Career Night
Valparaiso junior Janelle Hobbs (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) had a career-high 17 kills to lead a balanced Crusader offense, and Valpo hit .359 over the final two sets to rally from down 2-1 to defeat IUPUI, 3-2 (25-21, 25-27, 18-25, 25-16, 15-7), Tuesday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
10/20/2012
Valpo Earns League Win Over UIC
Valparaiso bounced back from a loss Friday night to defeat UIC in Horizon League play Saturday evening at the ARC, 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 17-25, 25-22).
10/19/2012
Crusaders Fall in Five-Setter to Loyola
Despite one of the best blocking performances in program history, the Valparaiso volleyball team dropped a five-set decision Friday evening at the ARC to Loyola, 3-2 (26-24, 24-26, 16-25, 25-21, 15-13).
10/18/2012
Crusaders Return Home to Kick Off Second Half of League Play
Valparaiso starts up the second half of Horizon League play this weekend as the Crusaders host Loyola and UIC at the ARC. Valpo enters the second half of league play in a tie for second place in the league standings with the two squads it will face this weekend.
10/16/2012
Watch the Latest Edition of the Valpo Coaches Show!
On the latest Valpo Coaches Show, volleyball head coach Carin Avery sits down to discuss the challenges that faced her team this season, the successful road trip last weekend through the state of Wisconsin and looks ahead to this weekend's pair of matches at the ARC.
10/15/2012
Vanden Berg, Root Tabbed Horizon League Players of the Week
Valparaiso junior Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute) has been named the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week, while senior Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) shared Defensive Player of the Week honors following standout performances during a weekend which saw the Crusaders win a pair of matches in Wisconsin.
10/13/2012
Crusaders Down Milwaukee in Five-Set Thriller
The Valparaiso volleyball team earned its first win at Milwaukee in regular season play since joining the Horizon League on Saturday, downing the Panthers 3-2 (25-15, 25-23, 24-26, 21-25, 18-16). The Crusaders conclude the first half of league play at 5-2 and in a tie for second place in the league standings.
10/12/2012
Crusaders Claim Road Sweep of Green Bay
A school-record performance from senior Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) propelled her into the top-10 in NCAA history in digs, while junior Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute) registered one of the best matches in program history on both sides of the ball as Valparaiso swept Green Bay, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-19) in Horizon League play Friday evening in Green Bay, Wis.
10/11/2012
Crusader Volleyball Heads to Wisconsin This Weekend
Valparaiso makes its annual swing through the state of Wisconsin in Horizon League play this weekend, as the Crusaders take on Green Bay Friday night and Milwaukee Saturday afternoon.
10/6/2012
Valpo Takes Four-Set Win Over Youngstown State
Winning the second set deep into extra points gave Valparaiso the momentum it was looking for, as the Crusaders went on to down Youngstown State, 3-1 (22-25, 33-31, 25-17, 25-14), Saturday evening at the ARC as part of Homecoming weekend.
10/5/2012
Crusaders Fall in Five to Cleveland State
For the second straight Horizon League match, the Valparaiso volleyball team rallied from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set, but the Crusaders were unable to come out with the win Friday night, as Cleveland State downed Valpo, 3-2 (25-17, 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 15-10).
10/3/2012
Volleyball Returns Home for Homecoming Weekend
Valparaiso hosts Horizon League matches for the first time in 2012 as the Crusaders return to the ARC for Homecoming weekend. Valpo takes on Cleveland State Friday night before hosting Youngstown State on Saturday evening.
10/1/2012
Root Named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week
Coming off a week in which she broke the Valparaiso career digs record and moved into the top-25 in NCAA history in the category, Crusader senior libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) added to her league record for weekly awards as she was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week for the ninth time in her career.
9/28/2012
Crusaders Come From Behind to Down Wright State
The Valparaiso volleyball team stepped up its intensity on both sides of the ball to rally from a two-set deficit and defeat Wright State, 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-13, 25-12, 15-13) Friday evening in Fairborn, Ohio.
9/26/2012
Root Breaks Career Digs Record; Valpo Falls to SDSU
Senior libero Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) broke Valparaiso's career digs record on Wednesday evening and moved into the top-25 in NCAA history in the category as the Crusaders fell 3-1 (25-21, 14-25, 25-14, 25-19) to South Dakota State at the ARC.
9/25/2012
Valpo VB Hosts South Dakota State, Travels to Wright State
Valparaiso returns home for just the second time this year on Wednesday evening as the Crusaders host a non-league contest against South Dakota State. Two days later, Valpo kicks off a stretch of seven straight Horizon League matches at Wright State.
9/22/2012
Volleyball Bounces Back With Win at Loyola
The Valparaiso volleyball team rebounded from Friday night's league-opening loss with a solid performance Saturday behind a career-best 18 kills from sophomore Morgan Beil (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette), defeating Loyola 3-1 (26-24, 29-31, 25-22, 25-21) in Chicago, Ill.
9/21/2012
Crusaders Drop HL Opener at UIC
The Valparaiso volleyball team opened up Horizon League play on Friday evening in Chicago, Ill., falling to host UIC, 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 26-24, 26-24).
9/20/2012
Root Candidate for Senior CLASS Award
Valparaiso senior Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2012 volleyball Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
9/19/2012
Valpo Volleyball Opens Horizon League Play This Weekend
Valparaiso opens the 2012 Horizon League slate this weekend with a pair of matches in the Windy City. The Crusaders will travel to Chicago to face UIC on Friday evening before taking on Loyola Saturday afternoon. Valpo is coming off a tournament title at the Hoosier Classic last weekend which included a five-set win over Indiana.
9/17/2012
Vanden Berg Named HL Defensive Player of the Week
Valparaiso junior Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute) has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week after picking up 13 blocks last weekend in helping the Crusaders to the Hoosier Classic title.
9/15/2012
Crusaders Claim Hoosier Classic Crown
The Valparaiso volleyball team won its first in-season tournament title in two years on Saturday, closing the Hoosier Classic in emphatic fashion with sweeps of Miami (OH) (26-24, 25-18, 25-22) and UT-Chattanooga (25-19, 25-14, 25-12). Redshirt sophomore Kelsey Victor (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) was named Tournament MVP, while juniors Sarah Dooms (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) and Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute) joined Victor on the All-Tournament Team.
9/14/2012
Crusaders Down Indiana in Five Sets
The Valparaiso volleyball program earned the first win over a Big Ten team in program history on Friday evening, storming back from a two-set deficit to defeat Indiana, 3-2 (19-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-18, 15-12) in its opener at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, Ind.
9/13/2012
Volleyball Travels to Hoosier Classic This Weekend
The Valparaiso volleyball team competes in its final early-season tournament this weekend as the Crusaders travel to Bloomington to take part in Indiana’s Hoosier Classic. Valpo faces the host Hoosiers Friday evening before taking on Miami (Ohio) and UT-Chattanooga on Saturday.
9/8/2012
Crusaders Drop Finale at Morehead State
Redshirt sophomore Kelsey Victor (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) picked up a career-high nine blocks, while sophomore Morgan Beil (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette) added eight blocks, but it wasn't enough for Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon, as the Crusaders dropped the finale of the MSU Eagle Challenge to host Morehead State, 3-2 (25-14, 22-25, 20-25, 25-16, 15-5). Beil represented Valpo on the All-Tournament Team.
9/7/2012
Crusaders Split Two Matches at MSU Eagle Challenge
The Valparaiso volleyball team opened up play at the MSU Eagle Challenge in Morehead, Ky. with a pair of matches, splitting two results. The Crusaders started the day with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-18) loss against SEC foe Missouri, but rebounded later in the afternoon with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-14) sweep over Savannah State.
9/4/2012
Crusader Volleyball Opens Home Slate With Win
The Valparaiso volleyball team opened the 2012 home season on Tuesday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center, rallying from a first-set loss to defeat Illinois State, 3-1 (13-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-20).
9/3/2012
Valpo Opens Home Slate, Travels to MSU Eagle Challenge This Week
The Valparaiso volleyball team opens the 2012 home campaign at the ARC with a rare early-season mid-week match Tuesday night against Illinois State. The Crusaders then travel to Morehead, Ky. to participate in the MSU Eagle Challenge this weekend, facing Missouri and Savannah State in addition to host Morehead State.
9/1/2012
Crusaders Split Pair on Saturday in St. Louis
Valparaiso split a pair of matches on its final day of action in the Active Ankle Challenge in St. Louis, Mo., defeating South Alabama 3-1 (24-26, 25-20, 26-24, 25-16) Saturday morning before falling to Southern Illinois 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-15) to close tournament play. Junior Janelle Hobbs (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) represented the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team, the first All-Tournament honor of her career.
8/31/2012
Valpo Athletics Launches New Social Media Fan Engagement Program
Valpo Athletics announces the launch of a new social media fan engagement program where Crusader fans can show their support for Valpo Athletics and each individual team through a combination of in-game social media campaigns, engaging teams on social networks and earning rewards through our new Valpo Crusader Social Rewards program. Fans can visit ValpoRewards.com to start playing!
8/31/2012
Crusaders Fall to Host Saint Louis Friday Night
In a back-and-forth match which featured 24 ties and 12 lead changes over its four sets, Valparaiso came out on the wrong end of a 3-1 (27-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23) decision Friday evening against host Saint Louis in both teams' opener at the Active Ankle Challenge in St. Louis, Mo.
8/29/2012
Valpo Volleyball Heads to Saint Louis This Weekend
The Valparaiso volleyball team hits the road for the second of its four early-season tournaments this weekend, traveling to St. Louis, Mo. for the Active Ankle Challenge, hosted by Saint Louis University. The Crusaders are also scheduled to face South Alabama and Southern Illinois as part of the tournament.
8/25/2012
Crusaders Split For Second Straight Day at Iowa
The Valparaiso volleyball team rallied from a two sets to one deficit to defeat South Dakota State Saturday afternoon, 3-2 (25-23, 15-25, 16-25, 25-18, 15-8), but later fell to host Iowa despite capturing the first set, 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16), to close out action at the Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa. Junior Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute) and senior Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) represented the Crusaders on the All-Tournament Team.
8/24/2012
Crusaders Split Pair of Matches on First Day of Action
The Valparaiso volleyball team opened the 2012 campaign Friday at the Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa with a split of its two matches, dropping the opener to Southeast Missouri State 3-1 (14-25, 26-24, 25-15, 25-18) before coming back to sweep Chicago State (25-8, 25-15, 25-14) in its afternoon match.
8/23/2012
Crusader Volleyball Ready For Season-Opening Tournament
The Valparaiso volleyball program kicks off the 2012 campaign this weekend at the Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa, playing four matches over a two-day span. The Crusaders enter 2012 having won at least 20 matches in each of the last 10 years.
8/22/2012
Jordan Stevens, Carin Avery Agree to Extensions
Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today that softball head coach Jordan Stevens and volleyball head coach Carin Avery have both agreed to extensions.
8/17/2012
Root Named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) has been named the league’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and one of seven athletes on the Preseason All-League squad, as voted on by the league’s eight head coaches and released by the league office this morning.
8/16/2012
Crusader Volleyball Tabbed Third in HL Preseason Poll
The Valparaiso volleyball squad has been predicted to finish in third place in the Horizon League in 2012, as chosen by the league’s nine head coaches.
7/25/2012
Crusaders Announce 2012 Volleyball Schedule
Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today the Crusaders’ schedule for the upcoming 2012 campaign, a slate which includes a pair of early-season tournaments at Big Ten programs, as well as 10 home matches throughout the season at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Valpo enters 2012 as one of just 12 teams nationwide which has won at least 20 matches in each of the last 10 seasons.
