Monday, January 30, 2006

Head Coach Carin Avery today announced four incoming freshmen will be a part of the 2006 Valparaiso volleyball team.

Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West), Angie Porche (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South), Valerie Bollenbacher (Bremen, Ind./Bremen) and Haley Wise (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka) will join a Crusader program that has won three consecutive Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament titles.

Bukowski, a 5'7" setter, earned Sixth Team All-State honors in 2005 after earning Honorable Mention All-State recognition as a junior. Bukowski also was twice named to All-Conference and All-Area teams.

Porche, a 5'8" outside hitter, was the 2005 Northwest Indiana Times Player of the Year and earned a third-straight All-SICA South Silver commendation in 2005. Porche, who also garnered All-Area honors as a senior, led the Rebels to a 30-5 record in 2005, a conference championship, and a win in the first round of the state tournament.

A 5'11" middle/outside hitter, Bollenbacher was a First Team All-Conference performer three straight seasons in addition to earning Academic All-Conference honors. Bollenbacher was also named the Lions' MVP after her junior and senior seasons.

Wise, a 5'8" defensive specialist/setter, was a Second Team All-State performer as a junior and senior, and twice garnered First Team All-Conference honors. Mishawaka High School is also the alma mater of Valpo Head Coach Carin Avery.

The Crusaders will open the 2006 season this fall in defense of their regular season and tournament conference titles, looking to earn a fourth-straight berth in the NCAA Tournament.