Sunday, 22 Dec 2024

Erin Virtue Joins U.S. Women’s National Team Staff

Erin Virtue, an accomplished women’s volleyball coach, has recently joined the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team as a consultant assistant coach for the 2020 Olympic quadrennial. Currently serving as the associate head coach at Northwestern University, Virtue brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the national team.

Virtue’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm and praise from the team’s head coach, Karch Kiraly. Kiraly commends Virtue’s dedication to helping others reach their full potential and her commitment to integrity and skill. With these qualities, she is an excellent addition to the team, and her collaboration with Kiraly holds much promise for the future.

Virtue is no stranger to USA Volleyball, having previously coached and played within the organization’s High Performance pipeline. She led the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team to a silver medal at the 2016 NORCECA Women’s U18 Continental Championship, securing qualification for the FIVB Women’s U18 World Championship.

Having observed Kiraly’s coaching methods with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Virtue implemented similar fundamental techniques within the youth program she led. Throughout her 11 seasons coaching in the High Performance program, she has mentored athletes in various age groups, including Select (U16), Youth (U18), and Junior (U20).

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While fulfilling her role with the national team, Virtue will continue her work at Northwestern University. This dual coaching role is made possible with the full support of the university. Head Volleyball Coach Shane Davis expresses his pride in Virtue’s achievements and highlights her dedication to building a strong program at Northwestern.

Virtue’s coaching prowess has garnered national recognition, earning her the prestigious American Volleyball Coaches’ Association’s “30 Under 30” award three times. This award recognizes up-and-coming coaches across all levels of the sport.

Prior to her tenure at Northwestern, Virtue served as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati. She played a pivotal role in the success of both programs, including a national semifinal appearance with Michigan in 2012. Virtue’s coaching career began at Loyola University Chicago in 2006, where she focused on recruiting and working with setters.

As a former all-American setter at the University of Illinois and a member of the U.S. Women’s National A2 Team, Virtue brings a wealth of playing experience to her coaching career. Her time training with the U.S. Women’s National Team further contributes to her exceptional understanding of the game.

In summary, Erin Virtue’s addition to the U.S. Women’s National Team as a consultant assistant coach is a significant development for the program. Her extensive background in coaching and playing, as well as her commitment to developing athletes, make her a valuable asset to the team. With her expertise and dedication, the U.S. Women’s National Team is poised for success in the upcoming Olympic Games.

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