TicketsFeb. 23, 2011
CINCINNATI - For the second straight year, the American Volleyball Coaches Association has named University of Cincinnati assistant volleyball coach Erin Virtue a recipient of the 30 Under 30 Award, created in 2009 to honor up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels.
"I'm honored to be recognized by the AVCA in this excellent group of young coaches," Virtue said. "I'm so very thankful for the opportunity that the University of Cincinnati has given me and the experience I have gained over the last four seasons."
Virtue, who is responsible for coaching setters and liberos, is one of 12 assistant coaches on the list, which will be featured in the upcoming April/May edition of Coaching Volleyball magazine. The 27-year-old is also just one of six coaches to appear on the list more than once. To qualify for the award nominees had to be younger than 30 years old in 2010.
"It's great for our program and a reflection of how hard Erin works," UC head coach Reed Sunahara said. "She is a great assistant and is well deserving of this honor. She's been with us for four years and has helped the program grow tremendously. Under her guidance, we've put up great numbers and have had great recruiting classes."
The Bearcats are coming off a 30-6 campaign in 2010, their first 30-win season since 1983. Under Virtue's tutelage, senior setter Annie Fesl finished her career second on Cincinnati's all-time assists chart (5,746) and three All-BIG EAST Conference selections.
Virtue has been instrumental in putting together Top 30 recruiting classes in 2008 and 2009 according to Prepvolleyball.com, while helping the Bearcats earn "Highest Honorable Mention" plaudits from the website for its 2010 class.