Former University of Minnesota setter Erica Handley is in her second season as an assistant coach with the Northwestern volleyball program. Handley, a Big Ten Conference Champion and two-time NCAA Final Four participant during her time with the Golden Gophers, joins the Wildcats after spending the 2022 season as an assistant coach at California Baptist University.
"Northwestern has always been a school I could see myself coaching at since I was in college," Handley commented. "While playing at Minnesota, I knew that I wanted to get back to the Big Ten as a coach after my professional volleyball career was over. There truly is nothing better than the Big Ten and I have always enjoyed the atmosphere and the potential of the program here at Northwestern. I am so grateful to the staff and administration for giving me this opportunity and I couldn't be more excited to work with this incredible staff and group of student-athletes!"
During her lone season with the Lancers, Handley helped guide California Baptists to a berth in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament in the program's first year eligible for postseason play. She also aided in the development of First Team All-WAC honoree Christine Graf, who became just the second First Team pick in program history after finishing the year with 310 kills (3.26 k/s) and 84 blocks (0.88 b/s).
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Handley made professional stops in Poland, France, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Germany. She captured championships in both Finland (2019) and the Czech Republic (2020), while also participating in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited in 2021.
After completing her freshman season at Syracuse University in 2013, Handley made her way to the Twin Cities to play for the University of Minnesota. During her three seasons there she played for USAV Hall of Fame coach Hugh McCutcheon. Her junior season she helped her team take home the Big Ten Championship and a trip the the Final Four, as well as another trip to the Final Four her senior season. Handley was also named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree her senior season.
Handley is married to her husband and fellow volleyball lover, Tim.
"Northwestern has always been a school I could see myself coaching at since I was in college," Handley commented. "While playing at Minnesota, I knew that I wanted to get back to the Big Ten as a coach after my professional volleyball career was over. There truly is nothing better than the Big Ten and I have always enjoyed the atmosphere and the potential of the program here at Northwestern. I am so grateful to the staff and administration for giving me this opportunity and I couldn't be more excited to work with this incredible staff and group of student-athletes!"
During her lone season with the Lancers, Handley helped guide California Baptists to a berth in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament in the program's first year eligible for postseason play. She also aided in the development of First Team All-WAC honoree Christine Graf, who became just the second First Team pick in program history after finishing the year with 310 kills (3.26 k/s) and 84 blocks (0.88 b/s).
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Handley made professional stops in Poland, France, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Germany. She captured championships in both Finland (2019) and the Czech Republic (2020), while also participating in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited in 2021.
After completing her freshman season at Syracuse University in 2013, Handley made her way to the Twin Cities to play for the University of Minnesota. During her three seasons there she played for USAV Hall of Fame coach Hugh McCutcheon. Her junior season she helped her team take home the Big Ten Championship and a trip the the Final Four, as well as another trip to the Final Four her senior season. Handley was also named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree her senior season.
Handley is married to her husband and fellow volleyball lover, Tim.