LEXINGTON, Ky. – IUP women's volleyball senior middle hitter Lauren Valentic was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Honorable Mention Team, announced by the organization on Wednesday.

Valentic adds to her awards this season after receiving All-PSAC West First Team and AVCA All-Region First Team honors. She was also named to the Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team. 

She is the first IUP athlete to be named AVCA All-American honoree for a second time throughout her career. Valentic is the third AVCA All-American honoree in the program since Natalie Cignetti in 2017 and the first occurring in 2002. 

Valentic closed a stellar season for IUP with 118 blocks and 189 kills on a .328 hitting percentage. She posted double-digit numbers nine times among blocks and kills. On September 24 against Seton Hill, she posted a double-double with 10 kills and 11 blocks.

Closing out her career at IUP, she ranks sixth in program history in career hitting percentage (.324) from 609 kills, third in season blocks per set (1.17), fourth in career blocks per set (1.18), and third in program history in career blocks (384).  She has been the year-by-year block leader for the past three seasons and ranked 10th in individual service blocks in a season (118). 

IUP made its third consecutive NCAA Tournament run in 2024 advancing to the semifinals. It marked the third consecutive PSAC and NCAA Tournament appearance for the Crimson Hawks. The Hawks posted a 24-9 overall record and claimed the PSAC Champion title.

Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawks and @IUPVB.