Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera today announced that Crusader Head Volleyball Coach Carin Avery has been signed to a four-year contract extension through the 2009 season.

?Coach Avery has proven herself as a first-class volleyball coach, and we are very excited to watch this program continue to develop under her watch," LaBarbera said. ?She is an excellent teacher and leader of our student-athletes, and we are looking forward to four more terrific years."

In four seasons at the helm of the Valpo program, Avery has achieved unprecedented success, leading the Brown and Gold to three consecutive Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament titles, and three trips to the NCAA tournament. Avery's 103-31 career record is the best in Crusader history, and the club's 27-8 record last season gave her four straight seasons of at least 20 wins, the first time a Valpo team has ever accomplished that feat.

In the classroom, Avery's teams have been just as successful, placing 32 of their players on the Academic All-Conference team, including Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs), who became the fourth Crusader ever to be named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District V First Team this past season. Avery's teams have also participated in numerous fundraisers and charities including 2005's Crusaders Conquering Cancer program that raised $11,000 for the Northern Indiana Cancer Consortium.

?I am extremely honored and excited that Valparaiso University has made a commitment to me for the next four years," Avery said. ?I love Valpo, I think it's a great school, and this move shows that this program is on the right track both on and off the court."

Avery and the Crusaders begin their quest for a fourth consecutive Mid-Con title this fall.