Valparaiso University, coming off of its best season in school history and a Women's National Invitation Tournament quarterfinal appearance, has scheduled at least five teams that were in postseason play last season as part of its 2002-2003 schedule.

Head coach Keith Freeman has scheduled 13 home games, including a New Year's Eve contest against Notre Dame, an NCAA Second Round participant last season. The Crusaders will also host DePaul, a WNIT team, on Dec. 12.

Valpo will open its 2002-2003 season on Nov. 23 and 24 at the Michigan State Tournament. The Spartans were another WNIT quarterfinalist last season, and are hosting a field that also includes Fresno State and Miami (Ohio).

The Crusaders will then head to Lubbock, Texas on Nov. 27 to play Texas Tech, an NCAA Sweet Sixteen team. The brown and gold will face Ball State on Dec. 7 at the Hoosier State Classic, hosted by Butler, in a rematch of the Second Round WNIT game won by Valpo this past season.

Valpo will host Western Illinois on Dec. 11 to open its 14-game Mid-Continent Conference schedule. The home slate will conclude on Feb. 24 against Oakland, the Mid-Con Tournament champions and another NCAA participant.

The Mid-Continent Conference Tournament will take place March 8-11 in Kansas City, Mo.