Sept. 22, 2004
Champaign, Ill. -
Illinois senior setter Erin Virtue has suffered a tear of her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee, an MRI has revealed. The Honorable Mention All-American and Pre-Season All-Big Ten selection will need surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Virtue, who topped the 2,000 assist mark in just one plus year as Illinois' starter, amassed 424 assists during the 2004 season before suffering the injury late in Illinois' win over Ball State on Sept. 17. Virtue was named to her fourth All-Tournament Team of her career at the State Farm Illini Classic. Not only has Virtue developed into one of the top setters in the country but her leadership, personality, and contagious attitude are some of the intangibles that she brings to the table.
"Erin is such a wonderful person," said Head Coach Don Hardin. "She is the consummate team player. Every thing she has given has been team-oriented. To see her miss out of the rest of her senior season breaks my heart. Everyone in the community who loves volleyball will have trouble with this one because she is such a special person in addition to being a great player."
"This will be a difficult transition for me, but sometimes things happen for a reason," Virtue said. "I look to my team and I see a group of strong individuals that will make it through any adversity that is thrown their way; we can and we will remain focused on our goals for this season."
Redshirt freshman Stephanie Obermeier took over the starting spot for Virtue in Saturday's four-game victory over Arkansas in the championship match of the C&C Services Invitational, totaling 50 assists in the process. "Stephanie Obermeier is more than prepared," Hardin added. "She is just taking over a few months earlier than we had anticipated. The team has confidence in Stephanie because she has led us to victories both in the spring and fall.
"If I could choose anyone to be setting this team in my stead, Stephanie would be the only one on my list," Virtue added. "She is going to do a wonderful job. The team will rally around her and will come together in a new way. I am excited to be part of such a team and look forward to the rest of the season."
Despite the loss of Virtue, Hardin still believes that the Illini are capable of reaching the goals they have set for the year, which includes advancing past the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. "I want to encourage the fans to stay with these young women while we get our team re-organized," he said. "We will continue to play an exciting brand of volleyball. We may suffer a few setbacks while learning, but I still believe we have a team that will be able to compete at a high level in the post-season."
Illinois is 8-1 on the season and ranked 13th in the latest USA Today/CSTV National Coaches poll. The Illini open Big Ten play this weekend at Huff Hall with matches vs. Purdue (Friday) and Indiana (Saturday). Both matches start at 7 p.m.
