TicketsAug. 7, 2007
Erin Virtue, a former University of Illinois standout with ties to the USA National program, joins the UC coaching staff starting with the 2007 season. Virtue will serve as the top aide to eighth-year head coach Reed Sunahara.
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 for the junior team two years later. During 2005-06, Virtue trained with the USA National Team.
On the collegiate level, Virtue enjoyed her best season as a senior 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.