 |  |
Erica Rau Named Head Volleyball Coach at Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio – Co-Interim Director of
Athletics Natalie
Winkelfoos announced today the hiring of Erica Rau as the
head coach for the Yeowomen volleyball program.
Rau comes to Oberlin from Carnegie Mellon University in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she has spent the last three years
as an assistant coach for the Tartans. Rau played a vital role in
all aspects of the program and helped the team make its second ever
appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2008.
“Erica's energy, passion and experience make her a perfect
fit to lead our volleyball program into the next era,”
Winkelfoos said. “She will be a fantastic mentor to our
student-athletes and a great member of our athletics department and
campus community.”
In addition to her work with the CMU program, Rau has also been
the head coach of the 16U Pittsburgh Elite team since 2008. Prior
to 2008 she was the Head Coach at Gettysburg Area High School for
two seasons where she amassed a 37-10 overall record while going a
perfect 28-0 in division play. For her efforts she was named as
Coach of the Year in 2006 by the Gettysburg Times.
“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to be the next
head women's volleyball coach at Oberlin College,” Rau said.
“Oberlin has a high academic tradition and I believe it truly
embodies the Division III collegiate experience. I look forward to
taking the volleyball program to the next level and building a
winning tradition that will only complement Oberlin's strong
academic reputation.”
Rau, who has also served the SAAC Advisor at Carnegie Mellon, had
an outstanding four-year playing career at Gettysburg College from
2002-2005. A four-year starter at middle hitter, she helped lead
the Bullets two four straight Centennial Conference Championships
and four NCAA Tournament appearances. During her senior season she
served as team captain and was named second-team
all-conference.
Rau, who graduated from Gettysburg with a BA in management in
2006, is also working on her MBA at Robert Morris University. Her
official start date at Oberlin is July 1.
