Valparaiso University junior guard Laura Richards (Connersville, Ind./Connersville H.S.) has been named to the Horizon League’s All-Defensive Team the conference announced on Monday (March 5).

Richards ranks leads the Crusaders, and ranks second in the Horizon League, with an average of 2.8 per game.  Her 77 thefts this season rank eighth on Valpo’s single season charts, and she is just three steals away from a spot in the top-five.  In conference play Richards has upped her mark, recording 3.4 thefts per contest.

The constant competitor, Richards is second in the conference averaging 37.4 minutes per contest and has played all 40 minutes on 12 different occasions.

In addition to her defensive efforts this season, Richards ranks sixth in the league in assists with 3.7 per game and is sixth in the conference with a 1.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Valparaiso, the ninth seed in the Horizon League Championship, tips off postseason play Monday night at 7 p.m. at Milwaukee.