The only player in NCAA Division I history to win four national titles while at Penn State – and that was after she helped the Bees to three consecutive New York State titles – is already adding to the trophy case in her first year as Assistant Coach at the University of Louisville.
The Cardinals, ranked 15th in the nation, were champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and are hosting first and second round NCAA playoff games in their 25th NCAA postseason appearance.
“My first year of coaching has been incredible; I couldn’t have asked for a better athletic department, volleyball program or student-athletes to work with on a daily basis,” Alyssa D’Errico said via email while helping prepare the team for first round opponent Belmont.
“The toughest part is not actually being able to physically do anything during matches. Previously, as a player when I saw something I would just make an adjustment and physically be able to make an impact immediately. Coaching is purely how well you can disseminate information to your players and have them make an immediate impact on the match.
“The easiest part for me has been the building relationships part. It is absolutely the main reason that I knew I wanted to coach from a young age. The impact that all of my coaches had on my life off the court is unbelievable, from club and high school all the way to the collegiate level.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am, much less the player I was, without the coaches I had mentoring me through life and volleyball. So I’d hope I can become half of that for some of my players throughout my career. I can still pick up the phone and call any of my coaches and they’d be there for me in all capacities. In ten to twenty years, I can only hope that is how some players will feel in regards to calling me.”
D’Errico played professionally in Spain during the 2011 and 2012 campaigns for the Feel Volley Alcobendas Club and was Most Valuable Player of the Princess Cup. She also played in Croatia and in France before joining the Cardinals staff last January.
In addition to the four titles and being part of 109 consecutive match winning streak while at Penn State, she is still listed eighth in school history with 1,245 digs and seventh with 146 aces. She was named the NCAA Woman of the Year in 2011.
The women’s volleyball program at Louisville has now had 27 straight winning seasons and is one of only 14 schools to make the postseason 25 or more times. The ACC titlists finished this season 24-6 overall and 18-2 in conference.
It might be a bit early to speculate about her future after just one year coaching at the college level, so D’Errico is taking things one step at a time.
“For now my future goals are simple; be the best assistant coach out there. I would love to be one of the best recruiting coordinators and one of the best passing/defensive coaches in the country.
“My goals long term are a bit harder to pinpoint, but then again I have always been a live in the moment type person. At this point I don’t think that I want to become a head coach but everyone has told me that will change. One thing’s for sure, I can’t see myself leaving this incredible game behind … that is until I retire at 70.”
Assistant Coach at The University of Louisville, Alyssa D’Errico. U. Louisville photo
