TicketsMay 4, 2007
CINCINNATI---Erin Virtue, a former University of Illinois standout with ties to the USA National program, has joined the coaching staff of the University of Cincinnati volleyball team. Virtue will become the top aide to eighth year head coach Reed Sunahara on the UC staff.
"I am very excited to be coming to Cincinnati and working with Reed," Virtue says. "I've known him for a long time and he coached me when I was in college on a summer tour in the Czech Republic. This is one of those opportunities that I hoped would open up someday and now that I am here, I am very excited to get to work and prepare for the upcoming season."
Virtue broke into the coaching ranks on the collegiate level last year, spending a season as an assistant at Loyola University Chicago. While with the Ramblers, Virtue worked with the team's setters, while handling recruiting and training organization.
Virtue's connection with the USA National team comes as both a player and a coach. During the summer of 2004, she participated with the USA National A2 program and was a coach with the same squad two years later. During 2005-06, Virtue trained with the USA National Team.
"Erin will bring a lot of experience to our staff, where she will work with our setters and be our recruiting coordinator," says Sunahara. "She brings a lot of expertise through the USA Volleyball pipeline as a player and a coach. The amount of experience and knowledge that she brings will be good for myself, the players, and everyone involved with the program."
On the collegiate level, Virtue enjoyed her best season as a sophomore at Illinois, helping the Fighting Illini to a Top 10 national ranking and a spot in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. For her play, she was named to the Big Ten All-Conference First Team and was an honorable mention all-American. Throughout her career, she was awarded numerous awards for spirit, academic excellence and sportsmanship.
Virtue also competed in international tours, serving as a team captain with Bring It Promotions teams from 2002-05.
Erin Virtue At A GlanceAge: 24, born April 13, 1983 in St. Charles, Illinois
Education Background:
B.S., University of Illinois, `05
Coaching Experience:
Years School
2006-07 Loyola University Chicago, Assistant Coach
Summer 2006 USA National A2 Camp, Coach
2002-05 Illinois, Camp Coach
Playing Experience:
Years School
2001-05 Illinois
Summer 2004 USA National A2 Program
2005-06 Trained with USA National Team