Torbett era ends for ECU volleyball

Following a winning season, the East Carolina University (19-11, 6-10 AAC) women’s volleyball team will be moving on from head coach Julie Torbett. ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert announced that the team will not be renewing Torbett’s contract after leading the team for seven seasons (2012-2019).

"We are grateful to Julie Torbett for leading the Pirate volleyball program over the past seven years and appreciate her contributions," Gilbert said in a press release.

Torbett holds a winning overall record of 109-107 as the Pirates’ head coach. Her first few years at the helm was a time for rebuilding, but Torbett was able to bring together not just a competitive team, but a formidable contender in the American Athletic Conference.

The most successful season as head coach of the Pirates came during the 2017 season when the team finished with a record of 22-11. This season marked the most wins from the volleyball program since 1982.

Torbett’s tenure as a head coach at ECU was preceded by multiple seasons coaching at both Winthrop University and the University of North Carolina Asheville.

At UNC Asheville, Torbett served as head coach from 1994-2011. She led the team to three Big South regular-season championships in 2002 and 2009. She also was named Big South Coach-of-the-Year in both seasons.

During her first year at Winthrop in 2011, the team tied for Big South regular season champions. This team was led by 2011 Big South Player-of-the-Year Becca Toor. Torbett led this team from 2011-2013 before finally coming to ECU. Before leaving Winthrop, Torbett achieved a total of 338 wins to become the Big South’s all-time winningest volleyball coach.

Over the course of her career, Torbett has seen a successful record of 447-392. With many accolades under her belt, the former head coach has a great track record as she moves on from the Pirates.

"I have asked assistant coach Moneshia McKenney to lead the program in an interim role effective today (Thursday). We will begin a national search for the next leader of our volleyball program in the near future." Gilbert said in a press release.

McKenney was named an assistant coach for the ECU volleyball program in March of 2018. She played college volleyball for Clemson University and later played professional volleyball for the country of Sweden on a national team.

McKenney will lead the team during the national search for a new head coach. ECU has ample time to find the right fit for head coach with fall play still months from beginning.